2026 brings more money in your pocket – low inflation and tax cuts boost family budgets

Last Week in Denmark (30.11-07.12) Episode 43 Year 5

TOP 3 News

👮 Biggest police force ever on the way as a new deal expects to recruit 12,000 officers by 2030.

🏠 Families set to be 15,000 DKK richer on average in 2026 with lower inflation, rising wages, and tax cuts

🏘️ Fewer areas on the “ghetto list” as several neighbourhoods experience crime drops and higher education levels.

Illustration by Diana Bălașa

Remember to check out our New Reporting in International Community HQ, further down the newsletter. These are original articles in English by our own Last Week in Denmark reporters.

Editor HQ

State of Last Week in Denmark - Our Weekly Podcast

December comes with three newsletter editions, and the final one arrives on December 21. Throughout this month we will take stock of the year behind us and look to the future taking shape in front of us, focusing on a different part of the LWID universe in each issue. Today the spotlight goes to the Last Week in Denmark podcast, which has grown from a tiny experiment into one of the most ambitious community-powered media productions in the country.

It feels a bit unreal to say that we are approaching 25,000 downloads, with thousands of listeners tuning in each week. Sixty-six episodes already out in the world, each one crafted with the same mission to inform and empower internationals living here. What began as a side project shared between two people on an irregular schedule – just me (Narcis) and Wizzi Magnussen trying something out – has now transformed into a dependable weekly show that lands in your feed every Wednesday. The team behind it has exploded in size in the best possible way, and today the podcast has a life of its own within the LWID universe.

In fact, we’re humbled to announce that we’re finalists for the Discover Pods Podcast Awards 2025. We’ve been nominated for both the “News” and “Podcast of the Year” categories, and we need your help! Please vote here by December 31 if you appreciate what we offer.

We now have:

• Six hosts - Fionn O’Toole, Kalpita Bhosale, Dominika Handzlik, Katie Burns, Golda K, Narcis George Matache

• Three audio editors - Cecilia Foster, Emily T. Griffiths, Stephen Larke-Mejía

• Two guest coordinators who will start bringing regular guests from 2026 - Rabia K., Robin Bonné

• Two YouTube assistants, because yes, we are finally on YouTube and you should definitely check it out - Lei Zhang, Felicity Terry

• Five transcript editors - Marta Villalon Trigueros, Alica Strbakova, Melissa Larson, Makoda Gascon, Larissa Lanska

• And two managers. This year we say thank you to the outgoing manager, Stephanie Fuccio, who helped shape the professionalism we are known for, and welcome the incoming manager, Monica Björklund, who is already guiding the next chapter.

From two people to twenty, the growth speaks for itself and so does the audience. If you haven’t listened yet, please try it out. If you listened months ago, give it another shot because the jump in quality is obvious.

But 2025 brought more than the weekly show. Somehow, between everything else, we squeezed in a full second season of the #VOTEHOME podcast. It played a key role during the elections, with thanks to co-host Derek Hartman, producer Kalpita Bhosale, audio editor Cecilia Foster, and graphics by Daria Pivoda.

And right now, we’re in the middle of producing our first video podcast, “Our Common Future.” We’re looking for guests for upcoming episodes, so if you want to be part of it you can sign up here. We will select three guests per episode. No expertise necessary, just a willingness to have a good conversation.

Looking ahead into 2026, you can expect even more experimentation in the audio and video space. We are hoping to launch new concepts or bring existing projects onto our platform, to build a strong and diverse portfolio of productions dedicated to internationals. Behind the scenes, we’re also outlining a plan for Last Week in Denmark TV and radio, which we aim to bring to life by 2027. Everything we are building now, from podcasts to video explainers, is the foundation of that future.

More reflections coming in the following issues, as we continue to map the past year and the universe we are building together.

Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!

Image of the week

💜 A sky painted in violet. Early risers were treated to a surreal moment this week as the morning sky turned bright purple across parts of the country. The rare color shift lit up social media feeds and sent people rushing to snap photos before it faded. A brief, magical reminder that even winter mornings can surprise you.

LWID Universe

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Did you know you can read Last Week in Denmark in eight other languages?
Romanian - Polish - Spanish - Turkish - Italian - German - Hungarian - Ukrainian

🐦Ghetto list!!! Why do Danish politics always sync perfectly with my Spotify channels? (Ryan)

Danish Politics HQ

New laws

👮 Biggest police force in Denmark’s history on the way. A new political deal boosts police training, salary during studies, and specialized education in digital and economic crime to tackle rising online fraud and resource shortages. The program extends the police degree from two years and four months to three years with pay for most of it, aiming for more than 12,000 officers by 2030. The agreement also expands AI and facial recognition use, strengthens environmental crime enforcement, and launches a partner homicide commission.

✡️ Government launches 17 new initiatives to fight antisemitism. An action plan running from 2026 to 2029 allocates 120 million DKK for stronger security at Jewish institutions, better monitoring of online hate, more education for children and youth, and new research funding. The plan includes an antisemitism coordinator in schools and support for a new civil society group. The government says the rise in antisemitic incidents since 2023 makes it urgent to protect Jewish communities and defend core democratic values.

Law proposals

🩹 Experts warn a new proposal could cost injured workers their compensation rights. Parliament is set to vote on a rule change that would require employers to report workplace accidents only after more than three days of absence instead of one. Lawyers and unions fear thousands of minor injuries will go unregistered, leaving workers without proof if problems appear later. The government insists rights are unchanged, but critics say the change shifts medical judgement to employers and creates new risks.

Political scene

🛢️ EU agrees to phase out Russian gas from 2027. A political deal brokered under the Danish EU Presidency sets a permanent ban on new imports of Russian gas, with liquid natural gas ending in 2026 and pipeline gas following in autumn 2027. The agreement still needs formal approval by the Council and Parliament before it takes effect. Countries must now prepare national exit plans, and companies face sanctions if they break the rules.

🌾 EU moves toward drought-proof crops with landmark gene-editing deal. Under the Danish EU Presidency, member states and the Parliament reached an agreement to allow new genomic techniques (NGT) that can precisely adjust plant DNA, potentially creating crops that use fewer pesticides and survive heat or flooding. Supporters call it vital for climate-resilient farming, while critics warn of ethical risks and weaker GMO safeguards. The deal still needs final approval but is expected to pass, opening the door to fast-tracked NGT crops across Europe.

🚗 Minister threatens tough action against parking firms using illegal tactics. After nearly 500 drivers reported “invisible” parking fines sent without a ticket on the car, the transport minister says he is ready to cut offending companies off from the official number-plate systems they rely on. Firms will get one warning before losing access, a move that would make it almost impossible for them to operate. The minister argues that some companies continue breaking rules even after stricter regulations took effect in July.

💡Are you working in a low-skill job at the moment (cleaning, delivery, warehouse, etc.) and would like opportunities to upskill? Then complete this survey. If you have 10 minutes to talk with us, email projects@aalborgid.com. Why? We’re creating a recommendation for the policy makers to create upskilling opportunities.

Danish Economics HQ

Our money

🪙 New coins with King Frederik hit circulation. Nationalbanken has released updated one-, two-, five-, ten- and twenty-DKK coins, the first series featuring King Frederik’s portrait and monogram. Only the tens and twenties carry his likeness, while smaller coins show a new Amalienborg-inspired symbol. The old coins with Queen Margrethe remain fully valid, and the bank expects both versions to circulate side by side for years. The rollout will be gradual, so spotting a shiny new coin early on will take some luck.

📉 Consumer confidence drops to its lowest point in years. Despite a strong economy on paper, new figures show people feel worse about their finances now than during the financial crisis and the pandemic. Danske Bank’s chief economist says the shock from high inflation still lingers and many households have not regained their buying power. The government hopes tax cuts and lower energy levies in 2026 will lift spending.

🏠 Big boost ahead for homeowners and families in 2026. New government figures show inflation dropping to just 1% next year while wages rise, meaning real incomes will grow faster than they have in years. The government expects families to become around 15,000 DKK richer thanks to tax cuts, lower energy costs and reduced childcare payments. House prices are also set to climb, with an average detached home gaining over 275,000 DKK in value by the end of 2026.

State of the markets

🛒 A fierce December price war is coming. Experts say supermarkets will slash prices on classic holiday goods as shoppers become even more focused on deals after years of rising food costs. Flæskesteg, butter, and cream are expected to lead the discount race, with Lidl already firing the first shot at 11.90 DKK per kilo of flæskesteg. With 31% higher food prices than four years ago, households have turned into bargain hunters, and chains are fighting hard for every Christmas basket.

🏭 Ukraine’s defence industry expands to Denmark. Fire Point, a major supplier to Ukraine’s military, has begun construction of a new rocket-fuel factory in Vojens. The company is known for rapid growth during the war, producing drones and the “Flamingo” missile, praised by President Zelenskyy as one of Ukraine’s most effective weapons. Danish authorities say the project will operate under strict national rules, and the factory is expected to play a role in supporting Ukraine’s defence needs while boosting local industry in South Denmark.

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Daily Life in Denmark HQ

🏘️ Fewer areas on the “ghetto list” as communities move forward. New government figures show a continued drop in both parallel societies and vulnerable housing areas (udsatte boligområder), with only five and seven remaining nationwide. Several neighborhoods, including Skovvejen/Skovparken in Kolding, Askerød in Greve and Stengårdsvej in Esbjerg, are now off the lists after falling crime and rising education levels. Many residents say they never recognized the label in the first place and hope the change will lift long-standing stigmas and make their communities more attractive.

🥗 New Nordic health report shows decline almost everywhere. A major five-country survey finds that people in the Nordics eat fewer fruits and vegetables than ten years ago, consume more sugar, and that there are rising levels of overweight adults and children. Energy drink intake has doubled, especially among young adults, and many fall short on physical activity. Denmark stands out for drinking the most alcohol and eating the most meat, though Danes also exercise more and eat more whole grains than the Nordic average.

🤝 Older adults drive Denmark’s volunteer culture. New data from Statistics Denmark shows that people over 65 are the most active volunteers in the country, with nearly one in five seniors doing weekly volunteer work and over a third helping at least once a month. Younger adults volunteer the least, and rural areas see far more volunteer activity than the capital. Sports associations remain the top place to volunteer, while older volunteers play a big role in social initiatives and local community groups.

👉 Read more from our reporting team: Volunteering - the secret to belonging in Denmark

🔧 Millions invested in underwater drone defence. Researchers at Aalborg University in Esbjerg have received 80 million DKK to develop new drone technology that can protect critical infrastructure beneath the sea, including internet cables and offshore energy lines. Projects focus on surveillance and interceptor drones to detect and safely neutralize unwanted underwater drones that threaten wind farms and data cables.

🧭 Blind and visually impaired citizens keep their companion scheme. After heavy criticism, the government has reversed course and found 30 million DKK to continue supporting 1,000 older blind or visually impaired people with free companions next year. The scheme had been left out of the 2026 budget, causing deep worry for users who rely on their companions for walks and cultural outings. The minister says the money comes from the reserve and not other welfare areas.

🚨 Fake roadside assistance scam exposed. A woman narrowly avoided paying thousands after calling what she thought was Tryg Vejhjælp, only to discover it was a sophisticated scam site mimicking the insurer’s logo and colours. Police report several recent cases where people in stressful breakdown situations end up contacting fake “autohjælp” pages found via Google, leading to attempts to charge upfront payments of up to 3,000 DKK. Tryg says it has zero tolerance and has already shut down the fraudulent website, while advising customers to double-check numbers and never pay unexpected fees.

💡What do you know about the Danish kitchen? Take this quiz and see how much you’ve already adopted in your own family kitchen.

International Community HQ

New reporting - original, long form reporting from our dedicated team!

👉 We were very politics-focused over November but Christmas has arrived at Last Week in Denmark and it’s not a Danish Christmas without Æbelskiver! If you don’t fancy baking your own, where can the best ones be found? Laura Matheson and Emily Ritchie take on the tough challenge of sampling 13 different brands! But which is the winner?! ✍️ Laura Matheson 👉 Read the article.

Also this week:

👉 Gosia Kozlowska guides you through how to seek referrals for ADHD, autism or anxiety here.

👉 The UK wants to emulate Denmark’s tough immigration policies, but should they? Maja Christiansen Cawthra investigates.

👉 Launching a startup as an international can be daunting. Daniel Sfita talks to Romanian Alex Filip about the secrets of his success.

New columns - original voices on Danish politics, society and culture

Paulina Stachnik’s column this week suggests ways to stay positive during the dark, cold months - from social clubs and light therapy, to exercise and hygge. Read here.

Julia Jones offers compassionate psychological guidance for internationals facing job loss and identity stress in Denmark in How to cope with uncertainty after a layoff as a non-EU international. Read it here. If you want to ask Julia a question anonymously, you can submit a form here.

Kristine Ammitzboll-Bille, one of the candidates who won a seat in the communal elections last month, writes about the suspense and tight margins that make Danish elections unpredictable and impactful for candidates. Read her firsthand experience here.

Community Noticeboard

🎧 Christmas Audio Walking Tour – Copenhagen. Wander through glowing garlands, Christmas markets, and the sweet smell of æbleskiver with a festive audio guide you can start anywhere in the city center. A cozy way to explore Copenhagen at your own pace with friends or family. 📅 Nov 14–Dec 27 | 📍Central Copenhagen | 👉 Free, self-guided

🎁 H.C. Andersen Christmas Market – Odense. Step straight into the 1800s at Odense’s most charming Christmas market filled with handmade crafts, gløgg, æbleskiver, and a warm historic atmosphere. A beautiful holiday tradition perfect for internationals discovering the season’s magic. 📅 First two weekends of Dec | 📍Sortebrødre Torv, Odense | 👉 Read more

🎷 RAMA Big Band Christmas Concert – Aarhus. Enjoy a lively, modern big band Christmas show led by Kathrine Windfeld with vocalist Helena Nordin. A free cultural highlight that brings jazz, holiday spirit, and a full house of happy Aarhusians. Arrive early to secure a seat. 📅 Wed Dec 10, 20:00 | 📍Musikhuset Aarhus, Small Hall | 👉 Free entry

➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk

Denmark in Global Headlines

🧪 “Denmark begins work on rocket fuel facility to support Ukraine’s defense industry” – The Defense Post

🏦 “Sydbank, Arbejdernes Landsbank, and Vestjysk Bank win approval for major merger reshaping the banking landscape” – GlobeNewswire