Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Settling in Greenland, and even more so in Nuuk, is both a dream and a concern. The largest island in the world, a remote Arctic territory, high cost of living, tight housing market: finding a home is often the number one obstacle for newcomers. Many foreign workers describe apartment hunting as the most difficult step in their relocation, sometimes more complicated than the work permit itself.
Preparation is essential to avoid difficulties. This guide helps you understand the market, anticipate costs, choose a strategy, and avoid pitfalls, with a focus on Nuuk where housing pressure is high.
Understanding the context: a vast country, scarce housing
Greenland has about 56,000 inhabitants, nearly a third of whom live in Nuuk. This can give the illusion of a vast, almost empty territory where it would be easy to find a house with a view of the fjords. The reality is the opposite: the country faces a structural housing shortage, especially in larger towns like Nuuk, Sisimiut, or Ilulissat.
Several factors explain the difficult housing situation: limited stock, costly construction slowed by the Arctic climate, a short construction season, and high transport costs for materials. The presence of permafrost requires specialized foundations. Moreover, the lack of roads connecting towns means everything must be shipped by air or sea, burdening every project.
In Nuuk, the population has doubled since 1980, but construction hasn’t kept pace. Result: very long waiting lists for municipal housing, fierce competition in the private market, and a growing share of rental stock absorbed by employers or tourism.
In this context, one idea should be kept in mind: in Greenland, especially in larger towns, the availability of housing often matters more than its price. Whoever finds something decent and stable has already won a good part of the battle.
For a newcomer, accommodation possibilities broadly fall into three main categories: employer-provided housing, private rental, and—more marginally at first—purchase.
Employer-provided housing: the royal road to start
For many foreigners, especially in healthcare, construction, or the public sector, the most realistic solution is to get housing directly through the employer. This is a very common practice in Greenland, precisely because the rental market is saturated.
Depending on the contract, this housing can be fully covered, partially subsidized, or simply reserved by the employer but paid for by the employee. In some project-based employment schemes, the typical setup is a private room (with bedding, heating, electricity, WiFi) and shared spaces: kitchen, living room, bathroom.
Employer-provided housing reduces the stress of moving and avoids a long-distance search. To avoid unpleasant surprises, don’t rely on a vague mention in the job offer. Before accepting the position, insist on written details about: the type of housing, its exact location, the duration of availability, included utilities, the possibility of housing a spouse or children, and conditions in case of contract termination.
In a country where public waiting lists are measured in years, this option is often decisive for nurses, teachers, engineers, construction workers, or civil servants coming from abroad.
Private rental: a limited and sometimes opaque market
When no company housing is offered, one must turn to the private market. That’s where the real difficulties begin. In Nuuk, public housing waiting lists are 10 to 12 years, sometimes over 15 years. Suffice it to say, for a newcomer, social housing is virtually out of reach initially.
What remains is the private market, described locally as a real “jungle.” Supply is low, demand is high, and not all listings go through official websites. Personal networks, local Facebook groups, colleagues, and acquaintances play a key role. Some landlords prefer to rent through their network rather than posting a visible ad.
However, there are a few reference platforms for Nuuk and other towns:
| Resource | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| lynges.gl | Agency / listings | Residential real estate in Nuuk and surroundings |
| igdlo.gl | Agency / management | Rentals and sales |
| netbolig.gl | Portal | Properties for rent and sale |
| ejendomskontoret.gl | Manager | Diverse housing stock |
| Facebook groups (“rooms & apartments in Nuuk”) | Social network | Informal ads, shared flats, rooms |
Add to that major international platforms (Airbnb, Flatio, etc.) which increasingly offer furnished monthly rentals. Some listings are clearly aimed at digital nomads or mission personnel staying several months: apartments with high-speed WiFi, office space, equipped kitchen, sometimes cleaning services.
These solutions can serve as a stepping stone for the first few months, while waiting to find a more conventional rental through the local network.
Buying a home: rarely the first step
It is possible to buy a home in Greenland, but it is generally not an option for a newcomer. The market is young, narrow, with limited transaction volume. In Nuuk, for-sale offerings mainly consist of single-family houses, a few apartments, and townhouses. The size of the town mechanically limits the number of properties in circulation.
The legal framework also complicates things. All land is collectively owned by municipalities: you never buy the land, only the building and the right to use the site. Recent regulations largely reserve purchase for Danish citizens or people who have resided in Greenland for at least two years. Foreigners can apply for exemptions on a case-by-case basis if they carry projects that are broadly beneficial to the community (tourism, housing, business activities).
For someone just settling in, buying is therefore more of a medium- or long-term prospect, after a few years of residency, a good knowledge of the town, and often contacts with a local bank like GrønlandsBANKEN.
Nuuk by the numbers: rents, salaries, and cost of living
To get a concrete idea, it’s useful to look at what a housing budget represents in Nuuk compared to income.
Overall cost of living
Nuuk is ranked among the 15% most expensive cities in the world. Living there is generally more costly than in many European metropolises, especially for food and imported goods.
For a single adult, the monthly cost of living, including housing, is around 2,200 US dollars. For a family of four, it exceeds 5,000 dollars. The “rent + utilities” share for an adult is about 1,150 dollars per month, and nearly 1,940 dollars for a family.
The average net monthly income in Nuuk, which theoretically covers about 2.3 months of local living according to some purchasing power calculations.
Rent levels in Nuuk
On the rental market, the orders of magnitude in Nuuk are as follows (average values, extremes can be much higher):
| Type of housing | Location | Average monthly rent (USD) | Average monthly rent (DKK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | City center | ≈ 1,076 | ≈ 7,667 |
| 1 bedroom | Outside center | ≈ 840 | ≈ 6,000 |
| 3 bedrooms | City center | ≈ 1,929 | ≈ 16,667 |
| 3 bedrooms | Outside center | ≈ 1,530 | ≈ 15,167 |
Sometimes studios or small apartments are found around 1,200 dollars per month, but it’s rare to go much lower in a metropolis like Nuuk, especially if you’re looking for furnished, reliable internet, and efficient heating.
For a medium-sized apartment in Copenhagen, basic utilities (electricity, heating, water, waste collection) amount to about 1,500 DKK per month (over 200 dollars), on top of rent if not included. You also need to budget for internet access, about 1,000 DKK for a good connection, and possibly contents insurance, which is very affordable and recommended.
Comparison with the rest of Greenland
Nuuk is not necessarily the most expensive town in the country on all items, but it does have higher rents than the Greenlandic average. Overall, Greenland is estimated to be 8% more expensive than Nuuk for total cost of living, while housing in Nuuk would be about 11.5% more expensive than the national average. These differences remain modest, with most expenses being high everywhere due to remoteness and logistics.
In towns like Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, or Aasiaat, some rents can be a bit lower, but supply is even more limited, and the influence of tourism on prices is starting to be felt, especially in Ilulissat.
Housing shortage: what it means in practice
The housing crisis is not a statistical abstraction. It has very visible consequences, especially in Nuuk and larger towns.
Waiting lists for municipal apartments reach 10 to 12 years, even over 15 years for highly sought-after homes. Over 4,250 people are reportedly waiting for housing across the country, including about 2,000 in Nuuk and over 500 in Sisimiut. At the other end of the spectrum, an estimated 500 people are without stable housing in Greenland, including 150 in Nuuk, representing nearly 1% of the population.
A significant part of the “crisis” is less visible: it’s overcrowded housing. Several generations often live in small apartments, sometimes in severe cramped conditions. In this context, newcomers from small villages often hope to access “normal” housing in town but face the same waiting lists and solvency requirements (large deposits, no payment history) that they cannot always meet.
Context of overcrowded housing
Many new constructions, especially in Nuuk, are effectively absorbed by companies and institutions, which rent them in bulk for their staff. For an individual, it is therefore illusory to think that simply answering an ad will quickly land a brand-new apartment.
Where and how to search: strategy before, during, and after arrival
In such a tight market, the search method makes all the difference. It’s not just about “looking at ads” but organizing well in advance and multiplying channels.
Before arrival: secure at least a temporary roof
The first reflex should be to never leave for Greenland without at least a temporary housing solution. Imagining you can “find something in a few days on the ground” is often a one-way ticket to an overpriced hotel or improvised sublet.
The ideal is to get housing through the employer, or at least a room in a shared project housing, stated in black and white in the contract. If that’s not possible, the realistic strategy is to book temporary accommodation for several weeks to allow time to search: aparthotel, Airbnb, guesthouse room.
The main towns where this type of accommodation is available are:
| Town | Temporary housing specifics |
|---|---|
| Nuuk | Capital, many furnished rentals, hotels, and aparthotels |
| Ilulissat | Strong tourism development, many holiday houses and apartments |
| Sisimiut | Second largest town, smaller but present offering |
| Tasiilaq, Qaqortoq, Maniitsoq… | Some guesthouses, occasional rentals |
Some apartments or houses in Nuuk have excellent ratings (4.8 to 5/5) and are clearly designed for medium to long stays: fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, good WiFi, sometimes an office or remote work space, parking, etc. These rentals are expensive per night but may offer monthly discounts and provide a comfortable base for organizing your life on site.
On the ground: activate the local network and stay flexible
Once temporarily settled, the key is to make yourself visible and active in local networks. “Official” ads represent only part of the possibilities. Many rooms, annexes, or small houses are rented through word of mouth.
Your work environment (colleagues, HR, partners) is a key resource for finding housing. They may know landlords, families offering a room, or colleagues vacating an apartment. In small communities, this informal network is particularly effective for finding rentals or shared flats.
Facebook groups specializing in rentals in Nuuk or in a specific town are another channel to monitor. You’ll see rooms, studios, shared flats, sometimes short-term sublets. However, caution is needed: verify written conditions, never send money abroad to a stranger, and insist on seeing the place before committing.
Finally, you must accept a certain degree of flexibility: start with a room in a shared flat before finding a whole apartment, change neighborhoods, accept a smaller space or a furnished place above your ideal budget for a while until you stabilize more.
Read the lease carefully and understand your rights
Even though the market is tight, the legal framework for leases remains protective for tenants. Contracts must be written, specify the parties, the housing unit, the rent amount, the deposit, and the breakdown of utilities. The deposit cannot exceed three months’ rent, and the rent must remain within a “normal” range for a comparable property.
The landlord must deliver a dwelling with all installations in good condition. Jointly funded move-in/move-out inspection reports are mandatory. In case of major defects not repaired, the tenant may resort to a formal notice, rent reduction, or termination, subject to respecting deadlines and written formalities.
In a country where the climate requires reliable heating and where mold can be a problem due to poor ventilation, these points are particularly critical. A poorly insulated or heated home can lead to astronomical bills and health issues. It’s therefore wise to check during the visit the quality of windows, type of heating, ventilation, and any visible signs of dampness.
Housing budget: don’t underestimate utilities
In Greenland, the classic mistake newcomers make is to think only in terms of rent, as in a large European city. However, a large part of the housing bill comes from utilities, mainly heating.
What the rent includes… or not
Depending on the town and landlord, the rent may include all or part of the utilities: heating, electricity, water, garbage collection, sometimes internet. There is no single rule: everything must be specified in the lease.
Breakdown of typical monthly expenses for an apartment of about 85 m² in the Greenlandic capital.
Costs for energy, water, and waste management amount to about 1,500 DKK per month.
A fixed internet subscription adds an average of 1,000 DKK to the monthly budget.
In the dead of winter, costs can increase significantly for a poorly insulated home or one using individual oil heating.
For those who become homeowners, the “shelter” item (loan repayment, utilities, insurance) can represent around 1,400 dollars per month, which remains consistent with rent levels.
The impact of climate on the bill
The polar climate makes heating expenses unavoidable: long winter, temperatures that can drop to –20 °C or –30 °C, strong winds, heavy snow. Even though about 20% of electricity now comes from hydropower in larger towns, the rest still relies heavily on fossil fuels.
This translates into significantly higher building energy consumption than in more temperate countries. In poorly designed or renovated homes, moisture can set in, promoting mold and forcing more ventilation, which in turn requires more heating.
During a home visit, it’s useful to ask very concrete questions: average monthly energy bills over the year, history of dampness or mold problems, year of construction or renovation of insulation, type of glazing (triple glazing is standard in new builds), presence or absence of a mechanical ventilation system.
Differences between towns: Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, and others
Even if Nuuk concentrates most of the available information, Greenland is not just its capital. Housing realities vary significantly from one town to another.
Nuuk remains the most expensive town for rents and the tightest in terms of supply, but it also has the greatest number of options: hotels, aparthotels, real estate agencies, housing provided by large institutions, coliving, etc. It also hosts the university, main administrative offices, an airport close to the center, and the majority of skilled jobs.
In Ilulissat, a UNESCO site and tourism capital, the rental market is heavily oriented toward seasonal rentals. This can offer opportunities for furnished housing in the low season for residents, but also contributes to upward pressure on rents due to strong tourist demand, especially for properties with views of the Icefjord and Disko Bay.
Sisimiut, the second largest town, plays a role as an educational and industrial hub. It also faces market pressure, with significant waiting lists for public housing and a limited private stock. Qaqortoq, further south, benefits from a slightly milder climate and slightly lower average purchase prices, but remains a small town with limited resources.
In smaller settlements, rents may be lower, but housing supply is limited. Some positions require service housing, often due to a lack of alternatives. You should also anticipate potentially less reliable access to internet, health services, and certain amenities.
The growing role of furnished rentals and coliving
With the rise of tourism and remote work, a new type of real estate offering has developed: furnished apartments and “move-in ready” homes for medium or long stays.
Platforms like Airbnb or Flatio offering well-rated apartments, equipped for professionals, digital nomads, or long-term stays.
Comfortable apartments with full kitchen, desk, good internet connection. Sometimes parking, laundry, or jacuzzi.
Often with views of the sea or mountains, in the towns of Nuuk and Ilulissat.
Listings showing excellent reviews (e.g., 4.8/5, 9.8/10) to guarantee quality.
Ideal for professionals on assignment, digital nomads, or long-stay tourists.
Some coliving offerings combine a private room with shared spaces (kitchen, living room, sometimes coworking), which can reduce costs while facilitating social integration. It’s an interesting option for project workers or young professionals arriving alone.
The downside, of course, is the cost: these units are more expensive than a bare yearly rental, but better suited for an initial settling-in phase. They also avoid having to urgently import all furniture from Denmark or other countries, which would be extremely costly in sea or air freight.
Administrative framework: residence permit, work, and proof of housing
For most foreigners, a residence and work permit is required to live in Greenland. This permit, managed by Danish authorities in coordination with the Greenlandic government, is generally tied to a specific job with a local employer.
As part of a residence permit application, authorities often require proof of accommodation. This document verifies that the foreign worker has suitable housing and will not depend on social benefits. It is therefore crucial to address this issue in advance, even provisionally, to strengthen the application.
For Nordic citizens, rules are more flexible: they can live and work without a permit. EU/EEA or Swiss citizens do not need a visa to enter, but must still obtain a work and residence permit if they wish to settle. In all cases, employment remains the central pivot and the key to accessing housing in many situations.
Many private homes in Greenland are rented unfurnished. Yet, furnishing an apartment from scratch in a country with no local furniture production, where every couch, bed, or appliance must be imported by ship or plane, can blow the budget.
Several options exist:
To procure goods in Greenland, three main options exist. The first is to buy locally in larger towns, where supply is ensured by regular cargo ships, but selection is limited and prices are generally higher than in Denmark. The second is to order goods from Denmark and have them shipped by sea via specialized lines, such as those operating from Aalborg, accepting delivery times of several weeks and additional logistics costs. Finally, it is possible to arrive with a large volume of luggage by plane, a realistic solution for a few personal effects, but not for a full set of furniture.
Some coliving services or company housing include everything needed, avoiding this costly phase. For a medium-term settlement plan, choosing a furnished home for the first few months can smooth out expenses and spread out furniture purchases.
Local culture and integration: why it also matters for housing
In Greenland, access to housing depends not only on solvency but also on integration into the social fabric. In communities of a few thousand people, reputation, trust, and the ability to be a good neighbor play a real role.
Local culture values discretion, conflict avoidance, and emotional restraint in public. Help is generally given if explicitly requested, but rarely offered intrusively. To integrate, it is appreciated to participate in local life (such as a “kaffemik”), show humor in the face of unexpected events, and be reliable in commitments (rent, neighborliness).
For someone renting a room in a private home or looking to extend a lease, these elements count as much as the financial file. Conversely, behavior perceived as aggressive, complainy, or disrespectful can quickly close access to housing opportunities that never appear in official ads.
Practical tips to maximize your chances
In such a tight market, a few pragmatic principles emerge for anyone considering finding housing in Greenland.
First, never underestimate the time required. Between work permit processing times, coordination with the employer, booking temporary accommodation, and searching for a more stable solution on the ground, you need to think in months, not days.
Prioritize job offers that explicitly include housing, even with a less attractive salary. In Nuuk, a slightly lower income with housing can be more advantageous than a higher salary without a guaranteed housing solution, especially considering taxes.
It’s also crucial to build a complete housing budget, including rent, heating and electricity costs, internet, a margin for travel (the lack of roads between towns sometimes requires expensive domestic flights), and, if necessary, a provision for basic furniture.
It’s advisable to consider your first home as a temporary solution (shared flat, small space, furnished rental). This approach allows you to gain time to better understand the local market, build a network, and eventually find more sustainable housing that better matches your aspirations.
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Finding a home in Greenland, whether in Nuuk, Ilulissat, Sisimiut, or elsewhere, requires preparation, patience, and flexibility. The country offers exceptional landscapes, a rich culture, and a unique quality of life, but its housing market is one of the most demanding in the world for newcomers. By informing yourself in advance, working closely with your employer, smartly using temporary accommodations, and respecting local codes, it is nevertheless possible to turn this challenge into a successful transition to life in the heart of the Arctic.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
