What kind of DIY work are you allowed to do yourself in Denmark?

Danish law permits a wide range of DIY home improvements, from carpentry and tiling to painting or replacing basic plumbing fixtures.

As in most countries, strict safety and regulatory guidelines apply to plumbing, electricity, and structural modifications in homes.

Electrical work

Electrical work is heavily regulated in Denmark. As outlined by the Danish Safety Technology Authority (Sikkerhedsstyrelsen), about the most advanced job you are permitted to do as a DIY-er is replacing a light switch in an existing installation.

Danish sockets are likely to be different to ones you know from other countries and the authority’s website includes a comprehensive guide to doing the work correctly.

Other electrical tasks listed as permitted include running a cable from a lamp socket (udtag, not the same as a wall socket) to a lamp, installing a refrigerator, oven and extractor, installing or changing a dishwasher, changing a wall socket and installing a ventilator, washing machine and tumble dryer.

All other jobs – installing underfloor heating, changing the wiring or laying new cables, for example – all require an authorised electrician. If one is not used, the installation will be considered illegal and may not meet environmental and safety standards.

You can check whether a contractor is registered in the Danish Safety Technology Authority’s official register, which lists authorisations for electrical, plumbing, sewer, and gas work.

Plumbing

As a DIYer, you can replace the shower mixer and faucet in your home provided there is a shut-off valve installed.

You can also install water-based floor heating (but not electrical, as noted above), and change a toilet, radiator or faucet.

Any work involving water supply pipes, drains, or gas installations must be carried out by a licensed plumber. That includes repairing your gas boiler or dismantling your gas installation.

Structural work and building

Comprehensive guidelines on what structural work is and isn’t allowed without authorisation or a permit can be found on the borger.dk platform.

Generally speaking, you need a permit to build any kind of new structure as well as to extend or convert existing buildings.

However, smaller structures like carports, canopies and some sheds do not always need planning permission. Even so, they are subject to building rules.

Denmark’s Building Regulations are applied to any application for a construction permit, but it is the local municipality that processes your application. Municipalities can apply stricter or different rules than the ones set out in the Building Regulations if there is a so-called lokalplan or “local plan” in place.

How about renovations?

Unless they involve any of the plumbing or electrical works detailed above, painting and decorating does not generally need to be done by an authorised professional, so you are free to get your overalls out and crack open a tin of emulsion.

This applies provided you are not changing the outward features of the building and there may be exceptions if you are altering the living space, for example by converting an attic.

You should also keep in mind that some buildings may be subject to protections or special local rules.

For more complicated jobs like wet rooms, it’s obviously common sense to consult a professional if you’re short on experience.