Boligfritid.dk is a Danish magazine for homeowners. This English version is written for international residents in Denmark. Read the original in Danish.
Updated 23 October 2026. The energy label (energimærke) is your home’s energy certificate. It shows how much energy the house uses and which improvements pay off. You need it when you sell, and when you apply for a grant for energy renovation.
What does the energy label show?
The energy label consists of a label and a report. The label places the home on a scale from A to G, where A is divided into A2020, A2015 and A2010. The more recent the year, the stricter the requirements. The report describes suggested improvements with their cost and savings. Labels from 2021 onwards highlight the 3 most obvious measures.
The label is calculated from the condition of the house, not from how you use it. It makes no difference to the label whether you keep the temperature at 19 or 21 degrees. The difference can be large: according to SparEnergi (the Danish Energy Agency’s energy-saving service), the heating bill for a standard 130 m² house with district heating is often under DKK 3,000 a year with an A2020 label, while it can be DKK 30,000 or more with a G label.
When do you need an energy label?
- When selling: it is a legal requirement to present a valid energy label when a house of 60 m² or more, or an owner-occupied flat, is sold. If you use an estate agent, the label must be ready before the home is advertised.
- When letting: the tenant must receive the label before the tenancy agreement is signed.
- For new builds: new buildings of 60 m² or more must have an energy label.
- When applying for a grant: Energirenoveringspuljen (the energy renovation grant scheme) requires a valid label in category D–G, based on a building inspection.
Summer houses and detached houses under 60 m² do not need an energy label. Short-term letting of no more than four weeks at a time is also exempt. For terraced, linked and semi-detached houses, the label applies to each individual home, while for owner-occupied flats the owners’ association must make the label available.
How long is it valid?
An energy label is valid for 10 years, unless the home is changed significantly, for example by switching the heat source. A change is typically considered significant if it changes the calculated consumption by more than 10%. If your label is from 2017 or earlier, note that its validity was extended from 7 to 10 years with retroactive effect.
How to get an energy label
The label is prepared by an energy consultant from a certified energy labelling company. The most common type is a label with a building inspection, where the consultant looks at the heating system, windows, insulation and so on. The price varies from company to company, so it is a good idea to get several quotes. If you apply for a grant of DKK 5,000–10,000 from Energirenoveringspuljen and have paid for the label yourself, you can get a DKK 750 grant towards the label.
Use the label to set priorities
The energy label report is a free list of priorities once you have it. Start with the suggestions that have the shortest payback time. Typically, these are extra insulation of the loft and cavity walls, draught-proofing and heating controls. See our guides to extra insulation and grants, new windows (in Danish) and heat pumps.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find my home’s energy label?
Search for your address at sparenergi.dk. There you can see the energy label and the report, if the home has one.
What happens if I sell without an energy label?
Energistyrelsen (the Danish Energy Agency) can order you to have a label made, and you can be fined, for example if the label is not handed over or is not shown in the advert.
Can I reuse an old energy label?
Yes, as long as it is valid and the home has not been changed significantly. But when selling, letting or applying for a grant, the label must be up to date.
Sources
- SparEnergi: Save energy with your home’s energy label (in Danish)
- Energistyrelsen: When must buildings have an energy label? (in Danish)
- SparEnergi: Energirenoveringspuljen (in Danish; energy label D–G required)
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