Go Vote on Tuesday – Local & Regional Elections Matter
Last Week in Denmark (09.11-16.11) Episode 40 Year 5
TOP 3 News
💼 New 1 billion DKK fund for SMEs – Fresh support on the way for digitalisation, green transition, and innovation..
🧾 Time to check your preliminary tax – Review income and deductions for 2026.
🏠 Tougher rules for home rentals – Stricter limits on short-term rentals and new powers to stop “shadow hotels.”
Illustration by Diana Bălașa
Want to dig deeper into the latest news? Check out the Last Week in Denmark podcast. New episodes drop on all podcast apps and YouTube every Wednesday. Follow us now so you don’t miss it.
Are you prepared to vote for the local and regional elections? Are you considering running next time? Listen to the five episodes of #VOTEHOME season 2 to learn everything there is to know.
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 Denmark
The local and regional elections end on Tuesday, closing a campaign season where internationals have been more visible and more determined than ever before. At Last Week in Denmark we focused on one goal: increasing turnout among internationals, who voted at just 29% in 2021.
Together with AMIS - A More Inclusive Society, we created the #VOTEHOME podcast, the EU and Your Vote brochure, a suite of explainers and infographics, and organized ‘European Evenings’ to connect voters with candidates. We also offered free coverage to international candidates across the country, publishing over 20 interviews in total. Four internationally-focused Danish candidates asked us to write about them – and we did! We published guides to political parties, voting, and why local and regional elections matter. Finally, we encouraged our audience to join polling stations as volunteers, and of course, TO VOTE, because participation is the strongest form of representation.
For me personally (LWID founder Narcis George Matache), as the voice behind these editorials and a candidate for Aalborg City Council, this campaign has been about opening doors. I used six languages on my posters to break an old taboo and show that multilingual communication belongs in local democracy. I ran the entire campaign in English, even though I speak Danish, because the priority was to reach internationals who have never voted or been approached before. The online attacks that followed only proved why this conversation is needed, and why someone has to make the first move so it becomes easier next time.
The most encouraging change during this campaign has been the number of internationals who joined political parties for the first time and began influencing them from within.
My campaign centered on belonging, through a postcard series in English and Danish, 22 short videos unpacking messages like inclusion and representation, and a cinematic film about the importance of voting. All of it aimed at shifting the mindset from “you live here” to “you belong here.”
The hope is that this election becomes a turning point where more internationals step into public life and take up space in the places they call home. Participation is how we protect our rights and build a Denmark where everyone who lives here is seen as part of the whole.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Image of the week
🌫️ Morning mist and a hint of magic. People woke up to breathtaking scenes this week, as thick morning fog rolled over forests and lakes, turning Denmark into a soft, pastel landscape. And for the lucky few, a powerful geomagnetic storm added an extra surprise with the possibility of northern lights glowing above the haze. A rare double treat.
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🐦 In an effort to combat over-tourism, the government will increase restrictions on short term rentals and other Airbnb-style accommodations. A better way to fight excessive tourism is to outlaw public selfies and Instagram posts of extravagant smørrebrød.(Ryan)
Danish Politics HQ
New laws
🚔 New law targets laughing-gas driving. From this week it is illegal to drive with nitrous oxide in your system, even in small amounts, and police say the change finally lets them stop affected drivers immediately. The gas has become more common in cities. Penalties are tough with a three-year licence ban and a fine equal to one month’s salary for first offenses.
🏘️ Government targets illegal “shadow hotels.” New rules will require platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com to report how many days each home is rented out, making it easier for authorities to catch landlords who exceed the 70–100 day limit. The proposal also includes bigger fines and the power to force platforms to block listings once the cap is reached. The goal is to stop apartments from being turned into full-time tourist rentals.
Law proposals
🏫 Government plans tighter rules for private school expulsions. Leaders want to make it easier to remove violent pupils from upper grades in public schools, but they also say private schools have been expelling children too quickly and without clear standards. New rules would require written warnings, documented reasons, meetings with parents, and clear information at enrollment about what can lead to expulsion.
🏡 Crackdown on illegal colony garden living. The government wants to stop people turning kolonihaver into full-time homes or building houses far bigger than the 30–60 m² limit. A new proposal gives municipalities stronger tools, including fines and the power to order residents to move out within 14 days if they’re registered at the address. The plan also targets criminal activity in some areas.
Political scene
⚖️ EU Court of Justice delivers mixed verdict on minimum wage rules. Denmark wins the key point that the European Union cannot decide Danish wage levels, and the parts of the directive that went too far are annulled. But Denmark loses other claims and must pay most of the case costs. Nothing changes for workplaces right now.
🏢 Danish business cheers EU vote. The European Parliament has backed a revised plan to cut sustainability and environmental reporting rules, easing what many companies saw as overwhelming bureaucracy. Industry groups say the move finally slows a “tsunami of regulations” and reduces heavy reporting burdens that especially hit small businesses. The agreement still needs final approval, but it is expected to pass.
🗳️ Løkke slams DF’s remigration plan. Lars Løkke Rasmussen warns that blue (right-wing) parties risk “being tied to a wagon they will regret” by not rejecting DF’s (nationalist conservative) proposal to force 100,000 internationals to leave the country. He accuses DF of creating a “false narrative” by using old cases to stir debate and calls parts of the plan “completely insane,” including a proposal to re-examine 20 years’ worth of granted citizenships. Several blue leaders stay quiet, while Løkke says Denmark must tackle challenges without targeting internationals who contribute to society.
👉 Read our article: Lars Løkke Rasmussen speaks to us about his plans to halt the rise of DF and what the country could do better for internationals.
💡New think tank for internationals launches. A new grassroots forum called DPM Internationals has been created to give internationals in Denmark a stronger voice in policy discussions. The initiative is linked to Moderaterne (social liberals) but operates as a non-partisan space where internationals can debate ideas and share lived experience. It grew from a November event at Netcompany, where participants called for better representation and more dialogue. The goal is simple: bring internationals together and let their insights help shape future policies in Denmark.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💸 Next year brings tax cuts for most people, but the annual preliminary tax assessment can still create surprises if you do nothing. Experts warn that outdated income or deduction numbers may result in an unexpected tax bill, especially if your salary changes or you misreport transport and interest deductions.
💼 Big tax changes kick in from 2026, giving most people more money in their pockets. A new system with four tax brackets cuts taxes for anyone earning between 51,000 and 235,000 DKK a month, while only the very highest incomes face increases. Seniors close to retirement get a larger work deduction, and students in outer municipalities gain access to transport deductions for the first time. Young people under 18 stop paying AM-bidrag.
🛒 After years of sharp increases, food prices have now fallen for the third month in a row, with coffee, flour and cereal showing the biggest drops. Analysts say global price pressures on key ingredients like cocoa, beef and coffee are easing, and more relief may come in 2026 when taxes on chocolate and coffee disappear and electricity costs fall, lowering production expenses. Prices are still much higher than five years ago, but experts expect a calmer winter for shoppers.
State of the markets
👔 Employment among non-western immigrants has jumped by nearly 30,000 in three years, narrowing the jobs gap with people of Danish origin to its lowest level since 2008. New figures show 61.8% of non-western immigrants aged 15 to 64 are now in work, helped by strong demand for labour and better access to opportunities. Analysts say the improvement is also seen among seniors, long-term unemployed and people on social benefits.
🏭 More than 1 billion DKK is being invested in small and medium sized companies to boost productivity, digitalisation and green transition. The national business program will expand support for digital tools, automation, exports, circular economy and entrepreneurship, along with new initiatives for drones, biosolutions and green energy. Officials say SMEs are the backbone of the economy and need help to stay competitive as global pressure increases.
💡Are you aware of what it means to be a European Union Citizen? Join an AMIS online free course on European Citizenship, rights and opportunities to learn more about what paths it opens for you. Sign up here.
Entrepreneurship
🚀 Final stop: Aarhus! After successful editions in Copenhagen, Aalborg, and Odense, the Business Support Event: EU Funding & Mentorship series ends in Aarhus on November 22. The event brings together entrepreneurs and mentors for a practical afternoon of insights on EU funding, small-group mentorship, and networking. If you’re running a small business or startup in Denmark, this is your last chance in 2025 to join the series and grow your business. 📅 Sat Nov 22, 13:00–17:00 | 📍 LYNfabrikken, Vestergade 49B, Aarhus C | 👉 Register here
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🌱 A new survey shows many people worry that their children will have a tougher life, yet hope is growing among younger generations. Researchers say fear of war and rapid change clouds long-term expectations, but groups like Generation Hope are working to rebuild confidence through workshops and creative exercises. Experts also see artificial intelligence as both a risk and an opportunity. The study finds people want more long term political vision to shape a future worth believing in.
🌍 New research shows that Denmark ranks among history’s most climate heavy nations when measured per person, mainly because coal and oil powered rapid growth after the Second World War. Industrial expansion, rising wealth, and a big jump in consumption pushed emissions sharply upward through the 1950s. Experts say today’s generations carry much of that responsibility and underline the need to support countries already hit hardest by climate change.
🌾 Carlsberg scientists have identified a gene that could make crops tougher in a changing climate. Researchers found the gene that controls early sprouting in barley, a problem that destroys crops worth billions each year. The discovery opens new options for breeding grains that can handle wetter harvests and unpredictable weather. Carlsberg calls it a breakthrough and hopes global researchers will build on the findings to secure future food supplies.
🧠 A new study shows huge differences in how often children are diagnosed with ADHD depending on where they live, with five times more diagnoses in Struer than in Odense. Researchers say the kids are not fundamentally different, and point instead to local traditions and access to help. Families on Funen report long battles to be taken seriously. Regions now promise common standards so children get similar assessment and support, no matter their postcode.
👉 Next week: Our reporter Gosia Kozlowska on all you need to know about getting a referral for your child.
💊 The number of young people in treatment after using opioid pills has nearly doubled since 2021, and experts warn the trend is accelerating. Many start experimenting in their early teens, often with potent prescription pills bought through social media. Doctors say opioids can severely affect the developing brain and create addiction that is hard to break. Hospitals rely on the drugs for surgeries, but outside medical care they are life-threatening.
🛡️ A pro-Russian hacker group with ties to the Kremlin is bombarding public websites with DDoS attacks, openly punishing support for Ukraine. The group, NoName057(16), has claimed responsibility for recent hits on municipalities, ministries, police and key services, and is led by Russian nationals wanted by Europol. They recruit thousands of “volunteers” worldwide with crypto payments and attack tools, turning cyberattacks into a kind of gamified service.
💡Class sizes vary more than many expect, with an average of 20.8 pupils in each public school class last year. That is slightly lower than in 2016 and reflects the falling birth rate, especially in rural areas where small schools are becoming harder to sustain. Researchers say children learn just as well in small schools as in large ones, but local budgets often decide their future. Check the interactive map.
International Community HQ
New reporting - original, long form reporting from our dedicated team!
👉 With just days until the local and regional elections, and focus on the international vote intensifying, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen speaks exclusively to Last Week in Denmark about his plans to halt the rise of DF and what the country could do better for internationals. ✍️ Ali Lewis 👉 Read the article.
Our team has been incredibly busy this week interviewing more international candidates seeking your vote!
👉 Kalpita Bhosale meets Hari Neupane, standing for the Social Democrats in Copenhagen Municipality and East Denmark Region.
👉 Emily Ritchie meets Rafael Raducu Andrasescu, standing for the Social Democrats in Randers Municipality.
👉 Paulina Stachnik meets Romante Karbauskiene, standing for the Social Democrats in Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality.
👉 Sudaay Tat Haznedar meets Vivian Xinwei Guan, standing for Det Konservative Folkeparti in Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality.
👉 John Dixon meets Elena Markova, standing for the Det Konservative Folkeparti in Rudersdal Municipality.
👉John Dixon meets Daniel Teodor Avram, standing for the Social Democrats in Esbjerg Municipality.
And we’re delighted to have been approached by more Danish candidates seeking to be profiled in Last Week in Denmark! It’s a strong indication that the importance of international voices is being increasingly recognised by the political system. This week, Ali Lewis meets Susanne Mathiesen, Monika Lillelund and Rie Køppen, standing for the Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF) in Billund Municipality.
🫵 Still deciding who to vote for? Not sure what it all means? Get more elections coverage from our team, including many more interviews and guides to political parties and voting at our Elections 2025 mini site!
New columns - original voices on Danish politics, society and culture
Josephine Basthof’s column this week explores how Danish family life prioritizes quality time together, known as hygge, and is built on a foundation of equality, trust, and fostering independence in children from a young age. Read here.
In Emily Ritchie’s episode 9 of The Little Viking Saga, the young Viking explorers face the challenges of a vast, endless desert, testing their resolve and resourcefulness as they continue their saga. Read here.
Julia Jones’s advice column received some very serious questions, as we expected. In her first reply back to a letter received from Fighting not to fit, she answers a dilemma that is rooted in the cultural and social challenges of adapting to a new country. Read her advice here. You can submit a question anonymously.
Community Noticeboard
👥 Djøf International Meetup – Copenhagen. An inspiring evening for international professionals and students exploring “The Future of Work and the Human Connection.” Expect fresh ideas, networking, and light refreshments in a relaxed setting. 📅 Mon Nov 24, 17:30–20:30 | 📍Djøf, Gothersgade 133, Copenhagen | 👉 Free with registration
🎨 Opening: Anna Boghiguian – The Sunken Boat at ARoS. Step into the world of one of today’s most exciting contemporary artists and enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and community at ARoS. A perfect cultural outing for a dark November night. 📅 Fri Nov 21, 17:00–20:00 | 📍ARoS Aarhus Art Museum | 👉 Free
🎵 Little Friends – November Edition. A cosy morning for little ones at Møllestien Folkehuset with instruments, toys, and playful music led by Foreningen Samværd. Singing and playing happen in English and Danish, making it a great way to discover Danish play culture together. 📅 Wed Nov 26, 10:00–12:00 | 📍Møllestien Folkehuset, Grønnegade 10, Aarhus | 👉 Free with registration
💰 Danish Tax System – Live Q&A. Confused by your preliminary income assessment? Join this friendly online session to understand the basics, adjust your numbers, and ask all your tax questions without stress. 📅 Thu Nov 20, 16:30–18:00 | 📍Online | 👉 Free with registration.
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🎭 “How Denmark’s Aalborg reinvented itself as a cultural destination” – Forbes
🚪 “UK looks to Denmark to shake up immigration system, one of Europe’s toughest” – The Independent
📵 “Denmark set to ban social media platforms for children under 15” – Japan Times
💼 “Denmark left with £400mn legal tab after failed case against hedge fund trader” – European Business Magazine
🔬 “Microsoft expands Danish quantum facility with second lab” – Reuters
💶 “EU top court rejects Denmark’s bid to annul bloc-wide minimum wage rules” – Euronews