What did we learn this week?
The European Commission wants children under 13 off social media and stricter rules for teenagers.
A Danish film has won the Venice Film Festival’s top prize for the first time in 71 years.
Police can now check disability parking permits with a new scanning app.
Letter from the editor
🤝 Is Denmark getting integration wrong? Mattias Tesfaye, the Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) parliamentary group leader and former immigration minister, argues that tougher immigration policies alone cannot solve what he sees as a deeper problem: people from different backgrounds increasingly living separate lives. He points to well-educated immigrants choosing neighbourhoods where they feel accepted, while Danish-background families send their children to schools elsewhere. Tesfaye wants a broader debate about how to create a shared sense of belonging.
Dear Mattias Tesfaye,
Thank you for having the courage to point towards a reality that is almost ignored in the race for who can create stricter rules against internationals. The reality that people from different backgrounds will likely choose to live separate lives within the same society. Here I am not only talking about ethnic Danes, non-ethnic Danes, and internationals. Even among internationals, the split can go further based on language and/or culture.
Part of this is simply human nature. We feel comfortable with people who are familiar to us, so naturally, we gravitate toward them. Most internationals I know belong to several small communities, often built around the languages they speak and the networks they have developed in Denmark. There is nothing wrong with that. We should all have the opportunity to belong to several communities at once.
But there is another side to this discussion: how willing are ethnic Danes to welcome others into their existing social circles? Of course, there are exceptions, but many of us have experienced just how difficult these circles can be to enter. Denmark prides itself on being egalitarian, yet social belonging can feel surprisingly exclusive. And if even Danes struggle to enter established social circles, imagine how difficult it can be for someone who arrives without a network, speaks another language, and comes from a different culture.
Third of all, it’s you, Mattias, you and your class of people, the politicians. In your race for power, you are willing to manipulate the majority with isolated bad cases related to internationals, making it look like we all are the same. A crime syndicate just waiting to be activated. And when you’re not doing that, you are telling the majority that we are just workers here, nothing more. So, why should we expect them to open up their circles to temporary people that might be thrown at any moment or, even worse, potential criminals?
What you don’t realize is that the negative rhetoric used on the national media against non-ethnic Danes and internationals is also reaching children and young people. Take a look at Danish TikTok. It’s horrifying to see the number of hate videos. How do you think they treat our children and young people? How do you think the parents feel when they hear the stories (if they are ever communicated to them)?
So if people choose to live separate lives in Denmark, it is because bridges were never built. You focused responsibility for integration only on the newcomers’ side and forgot completely about the receiving side. And people will not wait for you to make laws and initiatives; they will decide what is best for them with whatever is available at that moment.
Your example of the successful lawyer who chose to live in Ishøj because his family felt welcome there makes perfect sense to me. Why should he choose somewhere else if his family would constantly have to explain who they are?
My own family faces a similar dilemma. We are the only international family with a kindergarten-age child in our little community outside Aalborg. While the other children regularly meet outside kindergarten and their parents socialize, we have largely remained on the sidelines. I cannot say why, but the experience has influenced a very important decision for us. We had been debating whether our daughter should attend the local Danish school or an international school in the city. We have now decided on the international school, where we hope she will feel she belongs among other children from different backgrounds.
Think about the contradiction here. We want to become part of our local community, yet we are choosing to send our daughter elsewhere because we worry she will remain on the outside.
If Denmark wants people from different backgrounds to live together rather than apart, we need a conversation about the responsibilities of the receiving society, not just the incomers. Schools, kindergartens, associations, and ordinary families all have a part to play.
And no, the solution is not to abandon our native languages or cultural communities. Those connections are part of who we are. The opportunity we should be creating is to belong to additional communities built around Danish and English languages.
Integration should not force us to choose between the communities we come from and the society we want to belong to. It should allow us to be part of both.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
Our long-form articles this week…
4 Tips for your job hunt as a foreigner in Denmark by Dagmar Jacobsen
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 now so you don’t miss it.
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Image(s) of the Week
📸Extremely rare red sprites photographed from Denmark.
📸Denmark through 82 photographers’ eyes: Explore 246 photos.
Danish Politics HQ
Law proposals
📱 The European Commission wants children under 13 off social media and stricter rules for teenagers. Children aged 13–14 could use parent-managed accounts for up to one hour a day, while those aged 15–17 could have their own accounts with stronger safety protections. Denmark has separately proposed a minimum age of 15, with a planned start date of July 2027. Neither proposal is law yet.
🚨 The government wants tougher penalties for people who hire others, including teenagers, to commit violent crimes. Police recorded 316 charges across 88 case files potentially linked to this practice between April 2024 and July 2026. The proposal would also let courts treat certain organized criminal families like gangs and punish people who help arrange serious crimes.
🏘️ Denmark wants stronger enforcement against illegal Airbnb-style rentals. A proposal sent for public consultation on September 16 would give authorities access to booking information, allow them to remove illegal listings and increase fines for unlawful rentals. It is intended to take effect on July 1, 2027, if approved.
🏠 Homeowners who repeatedly break year-round residence rules could face fines of up to 100,000 DKK. A separate proposal released on Friday would raise the current maximum fine of 20,000 DKK. It would also let municipalities apply existing limits on overcrowding to private rental properties without needing landlords’ approval.
Political scene
🇪🇺 Europe must learn to stand on its own feet, says European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In her annual State of the Union speech, she proposed a European Security Council and a joint response mechanism for cyberattacks and sabotage, including those affecting Denmark. She also announced plans for stronger border controls and emergency migration responses, a European heatwave plan, new AI initiatives, and closer cooperation with Canada, giving it a new form of EU associate membership.
🇸🇪 Sweden’s center-left opposition parties have won a narrow parliamentary majority. They hold 176 seats against 173 for the outgoing government bloc. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has resigned, and on Friday, Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson was asked to explore forming a government. The four center-left parties still need to agree on how they could govern together.
🇬🇱 Denmark and Greenland have signed a 1.2 billion DKK agreement to improve everyday life in Greenland between 2026 and 2029. The money will support financially vulnerable residents, improve water supplies in Ilulissat, strengthen electricity infrastructure, and help operate Greenland’s new international airports. Funding for Greenlandic patients receiving treatment in Denmark is also included.
🏛️ Mette Frederiksen says she intends to remain prime minister for another term if Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) retains voters’ support. Speaking at the party’s annual conference in Aalborg, she addressed speculation about her political future while outlining plans involving welfare and immigration. The party also confirmed Holbæk mayor Christina Krzyrosiak Hansen (Polish origins) as its new deputy leader.
🚁 Denmark is speeding up a military aid package worth about 1.8 billion DKK for Ukraine after a Russian warship fired two flares toward a Danish helicopter. The incident happened near Gedser on September 14 when the helicopter was photographing the ship in international waters. Denmark says one flare passed close to the aircraft; Russia disputes Denmark’s account. The government announced that it would bring forward aid focused on Ukraine’s air defenses.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🎬 A Danish film has won the Venice Film Festival’s top prize for the first time in 71 years. Director May el-Toukhy’s Kvinde ukendt (Woman Unknown) won the Golden Lion, while Mathilde Arcel won Best Actress. The film is also being considered as Denmark’s Oscar submission, to be announced on September 25. It opens in Danish theaters on February 4, 2027.
🥾 Himmerland in North Denmark wants to become Denmark’s first internationally certified hiking region. The project could take a couple of years, but you don’t have to wait: try the free, 11-kilometer Panorama Trail near Hobro, with beautiful views over Mariager Fjord.
🥾 Looking for friends to explore Denmark’s outdoors with? Trailmates is an app where you can organize or join hikes, bike rides, climbing trips and other outdoor activities. Created by a woman who struggled to find hiking companions after moving to Silkeborg, it has attracted more than 2,000 users since March. You can specify whether you’re looking for activity partners or romance.
🌱 Check your potting soil: it may contain peat from Denmark’s bogs. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon, so draining and extracting peat can damage ecosystems and release greenhouse gases. A dispute over peat extraction at Fuglsø Mose has highlighted the damage that draining bogs can do to nature and the climate. Want an alternative for your garden or balcony? Look for bags labeled spagnumfri (peat-free). You can also use compost from your garden or a recycling center, but mix it with garden soil rather than using it on its own.
♿ Police can now check disability parking permits with a new scanning app. Since September 16, officers across Denmark have been able to scan a permit displayed in a car’s windshield to see whether it is valid. Remember: a personal disability parking permit belongs to its holder, not the vehicle, and can only be used when transporting that person.
🏫 Choosing a school for your child? Compare more than just grades. DR has published a searchable overview of ninth-grade exam results from summer 2026. You can look up individual schools, then use the Ministry of Education’s comparison tool to explore grades, student well-being, absences, and progression to further education among similar schools.
👨👩👧 Worried about a child’s well-being? You can report your concerns to the municipality. Municipalities received a record 193,500 child-welfare reports concerning 102,200 children in 2025. A report, called an underretning, expresses concern; it does not prove that parents have done anything wrong. Private individuals can report anonymously, and the municipality must assess within 24 hours whether urgent help is needed.
🧒 Background checks for jobs involving children are available again. Police reopened requests for børneattester after suspending them on September 2 because some criminal-record information had been deleted too early. This matters if you’re starting a job or volunteer role that requires a child-protection background check.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
🚗 How far can you drive for 100 DKK in Denmark? A TV 2/FDM comparison found that 100 DKK buys around 92 km in a gasoline car or 95 km in a diesel car. An electric car can travel about 238 km when charged at average home electricity prices and 122 km using expensive rapid chargers. Charging at home during the cheapest hours can take you even further. The calculations use September 14 prices, which have since started falling at gas stations.
⚡ Electricity prices exceeded 7 DKK per kWh during peak hours on September 14, prompting warnings of an expensive winter. Energy company Andel says rising gas and electricity prices could lead to another energy crisis and suggests customers consider fixed-price contracts. However, professor Brian Vad Mathiesen disputes that forecast and warns that locking in today’s prices could cost households more. Before changing your contract, compare the price at Elpris.dk.
📈 Denmark wants to nearly triple the amount you can invest through an aktiesparekonto, from 174,200 DKK to 500,000 DKK. This special investment account taxes annual returns at 17%, compared with at least 27% on ordinary share income. The government also wants to explore simplifying its tax rules, but neither change has been implemented yet. Be aware that the current system taxes gains annually, even if you haven’t sold your investments.
State of the markets
📊 Unemployment rate remains at 3.1%. New figures show 94,100 unemployed people in August, 500 more than in July. Compared with August 2025, unemployment has risen by 6,300, including 4,000 since the beginning of this year. Despite the increase, unemployment remains low, indicating that Denmark’s labor market is still relatively tight.
💊 Novo Nordisk is dropping “Nordisk” from its everyday name and becoming simply “Novo”. The pharma company unveiled a refreshed logo, with its familiar Egyptian-inspired bull now facing forward, and a new slogan: “Lasting Health Starts Now.” The makeover is part of a broader effort to become more consumer-focused and respond to growing competition in the obesity-treatment market.
🤖 Almost six in 10 companies with at least 10 employees now use AI, up from just 15% in 2023. New figures from Statistics Denmark show that AI adoption reached 59% in 2026, compared with 42% last year. Businesses use it for tasks such as writing, analyzing text, generating images, and automating workflows. Employers say a lack of AI skills is holding them back, making training relevant for workers and jobseekers.
Entrepreneurship
💡 Have an invention you want to patent? Apply for up to 75,000 DKK in funding. Denmark’s Patent Voucher program opens on September 22, covering up to 75% of eligible patent application costs. Your business needs a CVR number, must qualify as an SME, and must complete a free IP check at a business development center before applying. Funding is first come, first served, so prepare your application now.
🔐 Get up to 50,000 DKK to improve your company’s cybersecurity or digital systems. A funding program opening September 28 covers 50% of eligible external consulting costs, with cybersecurity projects given priority. Applications close October 5. Your business must qualify as an SME, and you must pay the consultant before receiving reimbursement.
🏦 Interested in financial technology? Nordic Fintech Week comes to Copenhagen on September 21–25. The main conference takes place September 23–24, bringing together startups, investors, banks, and regulators. The program is in English, and startup tickets cost 1,500 DKK excluding VAT.
International Community HQ
Community Noticeboard
🤝 CoNet: Networking & Mentoring 📍Vejle | 🗓 September 24, 18:00–20:00 | Connect with professionals, meet new people, and explore mentoring opportunities in a relaxed setting. Free, with registration. 🔗 More information
🌍 International Citizen Days 📍Copenhagen | 🗓 September 25–26 | Two days of talks, workshops, networking, and practical guidance on jobs, housing, taxes, and everyday life in Denmark. Free, with registration. 🔗 More information
🎉 International Welcome Day 📍Odense | 🗓 September 26 | Meet over 50 local organizations, discover sports clubs and volunteer opportunities, and enjoy activities for the whole family. Free, with registration. 🔗 More information
☕ Welcome Day for Newcomers 📍Sønderborg | 🗓 September 26 | Meet the mayor, discover local services and volunteer opportunities, and connect with other newcomers over coffee and cake. Free, with registration. 🔗 More information
🚶 Newcomers Walk 📍Esbjerg | 🗓 September 27 | Discover Esbjerg’s history on a free guided city walk while meeting other newcomers. Registration required. 🔗 More information
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🚁 “Denmark speeds up Ukraine aid package after Russian warship fires flares at helicopter” Reuters
🇬🇱 “Denmark PM says hopes for peaceful way forward with US on Arctic, Greenland | Reuters”
🌱 “Ineos to store carbon dioxide off Denmark as technology gains momentum” Financial Times
💊 “Danish pharma giant Novo to use Anthropic’s Claude to advance AI drug discovery” Euronews
🎬 “Venice Golden Lion winner May el-Toukhy on Woman Unknown and her Egyptian roots” The National
I’m hopeful you find community at the international school you’ve chosen. (Ironically, perhaps, CIS numbered Danes as its highest percentage of student population at the time we were there. ) We definitely felt a shared sense of “other”, but the knowledge we were all immigrants contributed to a sort of joyful melange. Especially beautiful to us was the heartfelt attempts to share other cultures and customs—Autumn Festival, Lunar New Year, Guy Fawkes, Thanksgiving (Canadian and American). I hope the same opportunities exist for you.