Easier to change banks; High school reform; Illegal e-bikes

Last Week in Denmark (06.10-13.10) Episode 34 Year 4

Oct 13, 2024

Editor HQ

State of Denmark

Red, yellow, brown, and every color variation in-between now adorn the sky and the streets. It’s that time of year when you find joy in playing with the fallen leaves, while you walk or play in the park with your kids or friends.

Three main subjects have occupied the minds of the people in Denmark this week. First, a high school reform. As you can imagine, it has triggered a lot of response, as students here are quite used to reacting if something feels unfair. Second, the Israel/Gaza conflict, as the number of violent episodes connected to it in Denmark has increased. And last, online bullying experienced by young people.

Let’s start with the first subject, high school reform. You can read more about its content lower in the “Politics - Focus” section. One main point stood out - the closure of 10th grade in the “folkeskolen.” That year is usually used by young people who are not ready to choose what to study further or who need an extra year of preparation before moving to the next level. The idea angered several politicians, business leaders, school leaders, and student organizations who are now putting pressure on the government to drop the idea before the reform becomes legislation this autumn.

Next is the Israel/Gaza conflict. Last week, the prime minister called for public demonstrations against “anti-semitism.” Why? The police have charged several people for violence against Jewish people and places. At the same time, a recent opinion poll shows that almost half of people in Denmark believe that Israel has gone too far in its attack on Gaza. This opinion was also shared by the foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Lastly, a terrifying subject for parents: online bullying aimed at children and young people. If your child has been exposed to digital abuse or unpleasant online content, contact RedBarnet at 29270101. The Minister of Justice also encourages people to contact the police. The discussion was triggered by an anonymous Instagram account in Horsens that publishes gossip about various young people in the city.

Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!

P.S. - Check out the best nature photographers in the world! If you were hunting for the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), you might have encountered another rare sky phenomenon. They call it “Steve” - you can have your own opinion about it.

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Danish Politics HQ

Weekly political overview

The temporary border control with Germany is extended again for another six months. Why? The terrorist threat against Denmark remains high. To avoid delays on trains between Denmark and Germany, the border control police will start controls from the moment the border is crossed while the train is in motion.

15 billion DKK investment in green research and innovation. The government is looking to fund ideas within CO2 capture, green fuels (PtX), agriculture / food, and the circular economy.

New rules for lobster fishing. First, you will need a special permit to fish for lobsters in Limfjord. Furthermore, you can only catch a maximum of five lobsters per day. Also, it will be illegal to deploy nets for lobster fishing between April 1 and November 30. Read more here.

The government wants to ban first-degree cousin marriages. Why? Because Sweden wants to do it. Sweden also wants to ban half-sibling marriages (which is already illegal in Denmark).

Moderaterne (Social Liberals) have pressured the other two government parties to support lowering the VAT (moms) for fruits and vegetables. The idea is to reduce VAT from 25% to 15%, saving the average family of four around 1,400 DKK a year. The cost ofthis initiative is not small - two billion less DKK annually in the state treasury. Is it worth it? A healthier lifestyle will potentially lead to 25 million DKK yearly savings in the healthcare system.

The four “blue” parties from the opposition have created a united front for negotiations on the 2025 budget. Dansk Folkeparti (Nationalist Conservative), Danmarksdemokraterne (Nationalist Populist), Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative), and Konservative (Conservatives) have united in negotiations with the government for how tax money should be spent next year.

They have six common requests: To fire 1,000 people from state administration; to remove tinglysningsafgiften (land registration tax) on up to 500,000 DKK mortgages; to allow hjemmepasning (staying at home with children until three years old) in every municipality; 200 million DKK extra for defense; more money for prison facilities; and higher senior premiums so that more people choose to work after retirement age.

The government has offered 500 million DKK from next year’s budget, which can be negotiated with the opposition parties. Basically, this is a chance for the opposition to finance one or more proposals.

Focus

High school education reform: In Denmark, when you finish 9 or 10 years of “folkeskole” (primary and secondary school), you can choose to go to a gymnasium (high school). Today, you can choose between STX (general theoretical education for those aiming for university); HHX (business and economic education); HTX (technological and science education); HF (2-year program professional education) and EUX (vocational education). The government proposed to change the options for high school education from 2030.

First, HF and EUX will be removed as options. They will be replaced by EPX, aimed at students considering a vocational education to master a trade, like electrician, welder, etc.
The first EPX generation will be in 2030. Until then, 5 billion DKK will be invested to open 87 educational institutions around the country. EPX will be two years long, with the option to extend for one year if you want to go to university.
The future of HTX is uncertain. It might be fused with STX in the future.
From 2030, the entry level for STX and HHX will be an average grade of 6 (instead of the level of today, which is 5), while for EPX it will be an average grade of 2.
The professional bachelors for vocational education (nurses, pedagogues, etc.) will be shortened from 3 years and 6 months to 3 years and 3 months. The bachelor exam project will be replaced by a practice-oriented professional test. There is an exception for maritime education and teacher education.
The 10th grade from “folkeskole” will be abolished. You can still take it as a preparatory year for the high school entrance exam. If you don’t have the minimum grade average, you can take an entrance exam instead.
One-year professional masters will be created as an option for those looking for a more practice-oriented education.
2.1 billion DKK investment in vocational education programs to increase quality.

The best part of the reform? 400 study places in English for vocational education (professional bachelors and masters). The places will be outside the four big cities and within programs connected to technology and science.

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Danish Economics HQ

Weekly economics overview

Thanks to a new system, it will be easier to switch banks in the near future. Interest rates, fees and conditions vary from bank to bank, which means it could be in your interest to shop around. However, most people don’t bother with the hassle. To switch banks, first you need to provide several documents to a new bank to get an offer. Once the system is implemented, you just need to click a “Consent” button, and all your data will be accessible for the new bank to make an offer (without your current bank being aware of it).

You need authorization to work with asbestos from January 1, 2025. Most, if not all, carpentry companies will have to obtain the authorization before the turn of the new year. To obtain it, employees must attend a mandatory asbestos course. This will likely increase costs for replacing asbestos roofs, so be sure to do so in 2024 to avoid higher fees.

55.1 million DKK investment in green public transport. More specifically, six projects have received funding. Electric buses for local routes in Odsherred and Sorø; for regional routes in Region Midtjylland (Central Denmark); for line 350S in the capital; and for all local and regional routes on the Fyn and Langeland islands (with exception of Odense and Svendborg). Plus, 15 fast electric car chargers at the hospitals in Region Nordjylland (North Denmark).

69% price increase for coffee beans on the global commodity market. Every year, the demand for coffee increases. At the same time, for the last couple of years, the production of coffee has been below expectation due to high temperature flashes that destroyed crops in Brazil, Columbia, and other producing countries. According to experts, coffee will only become more expensive in the future.

22% average price increase for food over the last two years. The ten items that increased the most are olive oil (82.8%), sugar (50.3%), chocolate (41.6%), dry and frozen vegetables (36.8%), eggs (35.1%), cheese (31.9%), flour (31.3%), potatoes (30.2%), rice (29.9%), and baby food (29.7%). Why? It has become more expensive to produce food in climates with higher temperatures and extreme weather conditions.

11% of all payments in Denmark are made in cash. A significant decline since 2017, when the figure was at 23%. As expected, in Copenhagen and surroundings, only 8% of payments are in cash, while in North Denmark, 18% of payments are in cash. See here the situation in your part of the country.

Focus

To preserve the planet for our children, we need to limit our carbon emissions to three tons per person on average every year. Now, if you take a private plane from Denmark to Palma de Mallorca, you emit 3.6 tons of carbon. Basically, just by taking one flight in a private jet, you use up your quota for that year. Of course, most of us don’t have private jets. However, private jets have become a hot topic in Denmark. Why? Climate inequality. The super-rich contribute the most (per person on average) to carbon emissions, while the measures taken don’t really affect them.

Take, for example, the passenger tax that will be introduced from next year: 30 DKK for short journeys and 300 DKK for longer ones. Private planes are exempt from it.

Entrepreneurship Corner

Free business courses by Aalborg Institute for Development

“Doing business in Denmark” online (November 7-28) where you can learn how to start and run a company in Denmark.
“Business Economics” in Viborg (October 23 - November 13) and online (November 19 - December 10) where you can learn about basic accounting, deductions, taxes, and financial literacy for entrepreneurs.

Get a 50,000 DKK voucher to improve the security of your website and to become compliant with GDPR. Reach out to Bernardo (np@aalborgid.com) for more information on how to apply. Who qualifies? Companies with a minimum of two full-time employees in 2023. Deadline! October 20.

Any other projects related to cybersecurity, data use, and GDPR also qualify.

Tip of the week! Start investing early in your life. If you can put 50, 100, or 500 DKK aside every month, you will benefit from compound interest after a decade. It doesn’t matter how much money you make every month; talk to your bank and see what options you have to invest.

If you want to simulate investing, join the largest investment simulation game in Denmark here.

Daily Life in Denmark HQ

Insights into the Danish way of life

It’s cold, it’s hygge, it’s efterårsferie. What does this mean? That week 42 is the annual autumn break for Danes, where kids are off school, young adults are off university, and many more are off to their summerhouse. In an effort to keep people around, Dining Week has also become a tradition in week 42 - a gastronomical offer that takes place all around the country, where many restaurants offer three or five course meals for a set price of 250 or 350 DKK. It’s a unique opportunity to try fancy restaurants that you might not be able to afford otherwise.

With Halloween and other spooky tales around the corner, the holiday week comes at what might just be one of the coziest times of year. Although the cold has definitely arrived, anyone who’s been in Denmark long enough knows this is actually a peak time to be outdoors. Forests are turning a beautiful orange, the air is as crisp as ever, and for nature lovers, it is pumpkin-picking and mushroom-foraging season. If you decide to go on an exciting mushroom hunting escapade, please have someone knowledgeable in your group, as an innocent harvest can turn into a call-the-poison-Control-hotline very quickly.

If you’re in the mood for something safe and hygge, it’s the perfect time for a visit to your local amusement park. For those in Copenhagen, Tivoli has already inaugurated its autumn themed season, with the largest pumpkins in the country being exhibited for competition yet again (some are actually more than 1000kg!). Cafes all around are offering their seasonal pumpkin lattes and other autumn drinks, and apple pastries and spiced buns are at their peak.

If all of this doesn’t sound terribly fantastic, then rest assured it will soon be Christmas. Less than a month from now, streets will be filled with Christmas markets, Danish gløgg, and more. Even now, supermarkets and shops have already started exhibiting their advent calendars and holiday decor. Before you know it, we will be wishing you a Happy New Year!

Last Week in Denmark

Easier to change banks; High school reform; Illegal e-bikes

Last Week in Denmark (06.10-13.10) Episode 34 Year 4

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