5-weeks hiatus; 5% for NATO; Public fortune found
Last Week in Denmark (22.06-29.06) Episode 25 Year 5
TOP 3 News
The next newsletter edition will be on August 10.
NATO agrees to spend 5% of GDP on defense.
58 billion DKK extra in the national treasury.
Illustration made by Diana Bălașa
The Last Week in Denmark podcast unpacks the top three news stories of the week through the international lens of two co-hosts. It’s personal, it’s global, it’s Denmark-ish. Listen now: Spotify. Apple Podcasts. YouTube. Amazon Music.
Editor HQ
State of Last Week in Denmark - Out of Office
We’re officially going on vacation! There will be no newsletters or podcast episodes for the next five weeks, but we’ll be back in your inbox and ears on August 10.
Thank you for being with us through the first season of 2025. It’s been our busiest, boldest, and most beautiful season yet. Here are just a few highlights we’re proud of:
🎧 We launched a brand-new podcast team and published a new episode every single week since January; consistency unlocked!
🎨 We finally added illustrations to the newsletter, thanks to the incredible work of Diana Bălașa (you asked for it, we delivered).
📰 Our reporters and columnists published nearly 100 original articles, most of them containing more than 2,000 words, because sometimes the story needs space.
🌻 We launched our 9th language edition (Ukrainian, launching today!). You can follow the newsletter here. If you want to join the team, write to Olha at info@lwid.dk
📈 Our social media following nearly doubled, and we even had our first viral article on Facebook.
🏢 The LEGO Group opened its doors to us; by including Last Week in Denmark in their international events to present ourselves, they’re showing the way. We hope other companies follow their lead.
Most importantly, none of this would exist without our volunteers. Every article, translation, illustration, upload, and edit is done by people who care deeply and give their time freely to make Denmark more understandable for all of us. Thank you.
See you in August. Until then, enjoy summer like a local, with optimism, a rain jacket, and maybe a soft ice in each hand.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
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Danish Politics HQ
New laws
🐶 Spiked dog collars now banned. From July 1, it’s illegal for dog owners to use spiked collars, which animal welfare groups say cause pain and fear. Only the police’s intelligence service may use special training collars, under strict conditions. Shock collars are already banned, but many owners still don’t know about it. Experts urge positive, reward-based training instead, because a happy dog learns best.
⚖️ No more early parole for the worst criminals. A new justice reform backed by almost all parties means life-sentenced prisoners must now serve at least 20 years before they can apply for parole, up from 12. Politicians say this ensures that life in prison remains the country’s toughest punishment.
The reform also includes tougher sentences for violent crimes, child abuse material, and environmental offenses, plus more prison spaces and support for vulnerable inmates. Only Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) and Borgernes Parti (Nationalist Populist) opted out of the deal.
Law proposals
🛑 Parliament to ban deepfakes that misuse your face or voice. All major parties in Parliament back a new law to protect people from AI-generated deepfakes and digital copies of their personal traits. The incoming law will make it illegal to share manipulated videos or audio that mimic real people without their consent. Satire is still allowed, but false content meant to mislead is not. Politicians call it a crucial step to protect identity, truth, and democracy in an AI age.
Political scene
🛡️ NATO agrees to spend 5% of GDP on defense. In an historic move, NATO countries have agreed to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP over the next decade. The plan splits the budget: 3.5% for traditional military gear like tanks and troops, and 1.5% for broader security, including cybersecurity and infrastructure. Denmark currently spends 2.37%, placing it 8th among member states. The shift is driven by long-term threats from Russia and terrorism.
Top leaders say it’s time to stop questioning the USA’s commitment. “The US is not on its way out; if anything, they’re leaning in,” said Denmark’s defense minister, crediting Trump for pushing Europe to spend more.
🐱 Lars Løkke’s political life may be running out. Once dubbed the man with nine political lives, Lars Løkke Rasmussen now faces the toughest stretch yet. His party, Moderaterne (Social Liberals), is stuck in scandal ranging from workplace bullying to shady offers made to MPs, and is polling at less than half its 2022 election result. With a key local election just five months away, questions grow: has Løkke lost his campaign magic? Still, his long game remains unchanged: secure just enough seats to hold the balance of power.
🌊 Toxic pollution in Danish waters was hidden for years. For over a decade, Denmark broke EU rules by failing to set limits on dangerous chemicals in the sea. Internal warnings were ignored, and experts now say protecting business interests may have delayed action. Opposition parties are demanding an independent investigation to find out who knew what and when. The environment minister admits failure and promises a cleanup.
🎰 Still no action on gambling regulation. Despite years of promises, the government hasn’t moved forward on new rules for betting ads or support for gambling addiction. SF (Socialists) calls the delay “embarrassing” as over 60,000 people have self-excluded via ROFUS, the Danish Gambling Authority register. The minister blames slow progress, but critics say inaction has let the gambling industry grow unchecked, even as more young men fall into addiction.
🚨 Denmark has one of the highest rates of partner violence and femicide in the EU. Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) calls it a national failure and admits past political efforts haven't worked. “It’s not good enough,” they say, urging a stronger response to what they call male violence, not just partner violence.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
📈 Our economy is doing even better than expected. A new projection shows that Denmark’s public finances will have 58 billion DKK more to spend by 2030 than previously estimated. The boost comes from record-high employment, stronger exports, and more internationals in the workforce. But the government warns: big bills are coming for defense, climate, and welfare.
After the surprise boost in the economic wiggle room, the political fight began. Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) wants tax cuts, SF (Socialists) prefers more welfare, and the left-wing parties (Enhedslisten, Alternativet) are furious that the government keeps “finding” billions after scrapping holidays like Store Bededag (Big Prayer Day). Even economists call it embarrassing that forecasts missed the mark.
🏠 Interest cuts bring summer savings. Around 300,000 homeowners with short-term variable loans will see their mortgage payments drop again, thanks to falling interest rates. Most will save about 300 DKK per month per million borrowed. The lower rates reflect cooling inflation and recent ECB cuts, but experts warn these flexible loans come with higher risk if rates rise again.
🧑⚖️ 45 municipalities get funds for citizen advisors. To help people navigate confusing cases, 45 municipalities across Denmark will receive a total of 26 million DKK to expand or create citizen advisor roles. These independent advisors guide residents on complaints, unclear decisions, and ongoing cases, aiming to boost legal clarity and trust in local authorities.
🧠 Psychiatric care gets 337 million boost. A new agreement will invest 337 million DKK in Denmark’s mental health system in 2025. The funds will expand hospital capacity, support outreach teams for severe cases, and reduce repeat hospitalizations. It’s part of a long-term 4.6 billion DKK plan to fix what officials call an overwhelmed system with too few beds and rising demand.
Read our article: Navigating Mental Health Support as an International
💸 Same-day doctor visit for 750 DKK sparks backlash. A new model lets patients pay 750 DKK for same-day GP appointments in Esbjerg and Copenhagen, but critics say it threatens equal access to healthcare. Danske Patienter calls it a dangerous shift, arguing it favors those with money. Politicians now want to investigate whether the setup breaks existing healthcare agreements.
State of the markets
🤝 Ukraine to build weapons in Denmark. The two countries have signed a deal allowing Ukrainian defense companies to set up production in Denmark, backed by 500 million DKK. The goal is to strengthen both countries’ security and boost Europe’s defense capacity. Denmark hopes to benefit from Ukraine’s battlefield-tested tech while supporting its long-term freedom struggle.
💳 The government tries to save the Dankort. Once king of payments, the Dankort now handles just 40% of card transactions in Denmark, down from nearly 80% a few years ago. To reverse the trend, politicians have agreed on a plan to modernize it, including mobile support and better features. Shops will pay more in fees, but it’s still cheaper than Visa or Mastercard.
🖌️ Paint giant under police investigation. Flügger is being investigated after its paint was found on Russian shelves despite EU sanctions and the company’s official exit from Russia. The CEO blames a former Russian distributor for illegally continuing sales, but Danish police are also looking into Flügger’s own leadership. The company has cut ties with multiple partners in Central Asia.
🐔 KFC closes all restaurants in Denmark. All 11 KFC restaurants in Denmark are shutting down after a DR investigation uncovered widespread food safety violations, including extending expiry dates on raw chicken. The chain’s European HQ ended its deal with the Danish franchisee after they refused to fix the problems. KFC promises to return with a new partner soon.
Danish Daily Life HQ
🧭 Aalborg to lead NATO special ops. Denmark has offered NATO a new regional special operations headquarters to be based at Aalborg Air Base. The center will coordinate elite forces across the Arctic and the Nordics, giving Denmark a key leadership role in future missions. The HQ is expected to be fully ready by 2027 and will replace Norway’s current role.
🌭 Denmark’s living culture. After nearly 59,000 people voted, five icons of Danish life have been identified: højskoler (adult high schools), pølsevogne (hotdog carts), handball, association life, and the trust-based society. They're all heading for UNESCO’s list of living cultural heritage. It’s Denmark’s turn to join countries like France (baguette) and Cuba (rumba) in celebrating the traditions that shape national identity.
Read more: Daniel Schneider has been delving deeper into what makes pølsevogne and the trust-based society so special in Denmark.
🌍 The rise of the mini-retirement. More people are hitting pause mid-career to travel the world, not for vacation, but for perspective. One of them is Frida Ingversen, who took a “mini-retirement” with her family, spending nine months backpacking across Asia. The goal? Time, freedom, and clarity. For many, this trend is about living intentionally now, not waiting until old age to feel alive.
📱 App helps students breathe through exam stress. As graduation nerves peak, thousands of students in Southern Denmark are turning to a free app called Ro to calm anxiety. The app offers sleep tips, breathing exercises, and stress relief tools. Launched in 2024, it’s already been downloaded nearly 57,000 times, especially popular at night before big exams.
🧠 Can an app really boost your mental health? Finch is a self-care app where your digital avatar grows as you complete small real-life goals like brushing your teeth or taking deep breaths. Popular among young people, it gamifies mental well-being, but experts in Denmark warn it can backfire. While it may offer motivation and daily structure, psychologists stress it’s no substitute for real therapy. And if users fail their goals, it might worsen self-esteem rather than help.
📱 We hate doomscrolling but keep doing it anyway. A major new study shows most people feel bad about passive screen time, like endless scrolling on Instagram or TikTok. Still, few actually change their habits. Deleting apps or notifications only goes so far; experts say our phones are now too deeply wired into daily life. With summer coming up, psychologists suggest it might be the perfect time to unplug and reset.
Read our article: Ali Lewis meets some of the experts and entrepreneurs determined to fight Denmark’s social media addiction crisis.
🤖 Aarhus robot stops trash before it hits the sea. Every summer, plastic cups, beer cans, and cigarette butts float down Aarhus Å, but they don’t make it to the ocean. That’s thanks to SeaProtectorOne, a fully automatic trash-catching robot that scoops up waste 24/7. It collected over 63,000 pieces of trash in a single year. Sadly, it’s the only one of its kind in Denmark.
🩳 Can you wear shorts to work in Denmark? Short answer: usually yes. A new survey shows most bosses now accept shorts at the office, especially as men’s fashion evolves. Big brands have even launched formal short suits. But experts say it still depends on your workplace culture. No dress code doesn’t mean no expectations, so when in doubt, ask or observe.
🧼 Less stuff, more peace. Jane has turned minimalism into a lifestyle that saves money and brings more joy, time, and calm without giving up concerts, travel, or homemade sushi nights. She spends under 500 DKK a year on clothes, runs a household of four on a 4,500 DKK monthly food budget, and practices the "one item at a time" rule to keep clutter out.
Her tricks? Store unused clothes in the basement, turn leftovers into wraps, wait 72 hours before buying anything new, and aim for long-term goals (like a big family trip) instead of impulse buys. She swears by second-hand finds, meal plans with wiggle room, and repairing things instead of replacing them. Minimalism, for her, isn’t about restriction; it’s about intention.
International Community HQ
New reporting
86,000 people in Denmark are addicted to social media, and Ali Lewis is worried she’s one of them. She meets the experts and entrepreneurs determined to transform the country’s relationship with social media for the better.
Copenhagen faces a worrying drinking water shortage by 2040 if no action is taken. We find out why this is happening and what the water utilities and the government are doing about it.
Jittal Mehta is here to tell you all you need to know about how to get your Danish driving license. She succeeded, and so will you!
Keri Bloomfield, New Zealander in Denmark and author of the book “Nothing Like a Dane,” talks to Ali Lewis about how writing has been vital to connecting with others and her own sense of belonging here. And above all, why it’s important not to lose yourself and your past in the process of integration.
What is it with Danes and their summerhouses?! Our guest writer Sigga Hansen, founder of online Danish language school Lingua Danica and a native Dane, has the lowdown.
Sigga is giving LWID readers an exclusive offer of a 500 DKK discount on her Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, and Advanced level Danish courses. Follow this link to redeem the offer; discount automatically applied when you check out.
New columns
This week Florin Lungu is back, looking at Quiet Disengagement, or why Nordic teams show up but don’t lean in. Find out how to lead to maximize engagement with your team!
You can join Florin for a free practical session on the “Engagement Gap – Why Your Team Shows Up but Doesn’t Lean In” on July 9th 8:00 - 8:45. Save your virtual seat here!
And Medha Kapoor, who’s recently applied for Danish citizenship, asks what values are really being tested through the exam.
Did you know that Last Week in Denmark now offers the opportunity for sponsored content? If you have a business our readers should know about, let us write about it – support us while we help you! Get in touch with us here. And rest assured we will never put up paywalls, charge you monthly subscriptions, or fill the newsletter with adverts!
If you have a news or features article you think we should write about, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at reporter@lwid.dk
Announcement board
🗣️ Help shape the future of The International Denmark! Take 5 minutes to fill out their anonymous reader survey and tell them what matters to you. Your voice keeps this free, volunteer-run publication going. Take the survey → bit.ly/TheIntDKSurvery
International media about Denmark
Denmark to tackle deepfakes by giving people copyright to their own features (Guardian)
Greenland is the wild card in Denmark's Brussels reign (Politico)
Tick tock goes Denmark’s climate clock (Politico)
The 10 most beautiful towns and cities to visit in Denmark (The Independent)
Prepare for tough love on migration as Denmark takes over EU presidency (Politico)
How to navigate Denmark's EU presidency policy agenda like a pro (Politico)
As an Italian, I’m curious about what people in Denmark think about the idea of spending 5% of GDP on defense, as agreed by NATO countries. Do you think it’s a good investment? Many Italians are doubtful.
From my perspective — as someone with a degree in economics — the real problem in Europe isn’t just how much we spend, but how we spend it. We don’t take full advantage of economies of scale, and there’s very little real cooperation between EU countries. Everyone wants to go their own way and stand out, but that mindset ends up hurting us — especially from an economic point of view.
Energy costs are another big issue. In Russia, for example, electricity is cheaper thanks to their access to raw materials and their use of nuclear energy. In Europe, we don’t have a unified strategy, and that makes everything more expensive and less efficient.
What’s the general feeling in Denmark about all this?