Student housing in Copenhagen, or the fast shared-apartment route
Student housing (kollegie) in Copenhagen is the holy grail for thousands of students. It's cheap, socially built-in, and you meet people from day one. The problem: too many students, too few spots. Most 1st-semester students and internationals don't get dorm housing in time for studies.
The good news: a shared apartment with a roommate covers most of the same need (own room, shared kitchen, low overhead), and you can move in immediately instead of waiting.
Major dorms in Copenhagen (2025 snapshot)
Prices listed as monthly rent. Always check each dorm for current price and waiting time.
| Dorm | Neighborhood | Price (DKK/mo) | Waiting time | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tietgenkollegiet | Ørestad / Amager | 4,023 – 6,969 (excl. utilities ~415 DKK) | 12-24 months | Tietgenkollegiet, Uniavisen |
| Egmont H. Petersens Kollegium | Østerbro/Nørrebro by Fælledparken | 2,935 (single), 4,600 (double) | 10-20 months | EHP, April 2025 |
| Regensen | Indre By | 1,804 + ~140 common expenses | Variable (specific programs only) | KBH-Kollegier, May 2025 |
| Hassagers Kollegium | Frederiksberg | 2,485 incl. utilities | Variable | Findkollegie, April 2025 |
| Otto Mønsted Kollegiet (CPH) | Vesterbro | 3,216 incl. utilities | Variable | KBH-Kollegier, May 2025 |
For comparison: a regular shared room (private rental) in Copenhagen averages around DKK 6,500/mo in the 2026 snapshot (KBH-Bolig). Dorms are typically 30-70% cheaper, but come with waiting times and specific requirements.
How to apply for a dorm
- CIU (Centralindstillingsudvalget) via findbolig.nu: a shared system for most dorms.
- KKIK (Copenhagen Dorm Office) for specific dorms (separate application).
- AAB Bolig for apartment-style dorms.
- Directly to the dorm for independents (e.g. Tietgen, Regensen).
Register as early as possible, ideally 6-12 months before semester start. Tietgenkollegiet, for example, requires a minimum grade average above 7 from upper secondary school (Tietgenkollegiet).
Plan B: a dorm-style shared apartment with a roommate
If you don't get dorm housing in time, or you want more autonomy than a dorm offers, a shared apartment with one or more roommates is the best alternative. You:
- Get your own room in an apartment
- Share kitchen and common rooms with 1-3 others
- Pay typically around DKK 6,500/mo (KBH-Bolig, 2026)
- Choose your roommates by lifestyle, not by luck in a lottery
- Move in when you want, not when a waiting list allows
Where to look for a roommate in Copenhagen
- ROO:ME: verified profiles, lifestyle matching, focused on students and young professionals. Free. Join early access →
- Facebook groups like "Roomies København", "Værelse til leje København", and "International students in Copenhagen". Big supply, but also scams. Always verify before paying.
- University notice boards. KU, CBS, RUC, and ITU all have internal groups and notice boards.
- Boligportal for full apartments where you can gather a group of roommates yourself.
Tips if you're international
- Arrive early. Find a temporary solution (sublease, monthly AirBnB) for 2-4 weeks and search for shared housing on location. It's much easier than from abroad.
- Meet in person. Never pay a deposit before seeing the apartment.
- CPR number. You need an official address to get one. Many landlords know the process and can register you.
Ready to find your roommate?
While you wait for dorm housing, or skip the waiting list entirely, ROO:ME finds your next roommate in Copenhagen in days, not years. Verified profiles, lifestyle matching, and in-app chat.
Sources
- Tietgenkollegiet – Rooms (prices)
- Tietgenkollegiet – Who can apply (requirements)
- Uniavisen – "Kollegier: hvor og hvordan" (waiting times)
- Egmont H. Petersen – Application info (April 2025)
- KBH-Kollegier – Regensen (May 2025)
- KBH-Kollegier – Otto Mønsted Kollegiet (May 2025)
- Findkollegie – Hassagers Kollegium (April 2025)
- KBH-Bolig – Average rent across Copenhagen neighborhoods
- Findbolig.nu – CIU application system