Is there a home for everyone in Denmark?
Last Week in Denmark (15.02-22.02) Episode 6 Year 6
What did we learn this week?
Empty homes no more. Fines for breaking all-year residence rules could increase tenfold.
Profits from property sales could be taxed depending on the outcome of the next election.
Sudden thaw and rain can damage homes. Clear snow from foundations and check drains now to prevent costly water damage.
Letter from the editor
Winter is overstaying its welcome this year, and for those of us who grow our own food, that means seed trays are still waiting by the window. Some might ask, “Why bother when tomatoes and cucumbers are right there at the supermarket?” But anyone who has tasted a sun-warmed balcony tomato knows the answer. The flavor is different and as we get older, what we put on our plate matters more than ever.
So this is a small shoutout to the internationals who grow their own food in greenhouses, gardens, or tiny city balconies. Share that passion. It turns out that home growing is not just a hobby; it is also aligned with the national push for stronger resilience in times of crisis. You are already contributing. And many more could join us. Yes, us. Two greenhouses at my place are proof that this is not just theory.
And speaking of sharing, we want to open a Facebook group where we can talk more directly with you. Around 89% of people here are on Facebook, so it makes sense as a meeting point. We want to listen to your experiences and surface insights that deserve to be shared with the wider community. But we need a volunteer community manager to help design it properly from day one. If that sounds like you, write to info@lwid.dk
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
Our long-form articles this week…
1. 20 AI Tools to Help You Navigate Danish Life Daniel Sfita
2. Why Do Danes Always Talk About the Weather? Sigga Hansen
3. Take a deep dive into the niche history of jazz in Denmark, Vinter Jazz in tow. Pratik Hariharan
4. The Tiny Alarm Inside Your Brain That Controls Your Life. Florina Lungu
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.
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Image(s) of the Week
📸Horses racing on ice. While many eyes are on winter sports in Italy, thousands gathered in St. Moritz, Switzerland, for the annual White Turf horse races on a frozen lake.
Danish Politics HQ
New laws
🏗️ Employers can now face prison for serious asbestos violations. A new law makes it possible to sentence employers to 4–6 months in prison if they deliberately, or through gross negligence, expose workers to dangerous asbestos, and 8–10 months if violations lead to death or very serious harm. The law also requires asbestos test results to be sent directly to employees or workplace safety representatives to prevent fraud. The prison rules apply from March 1, and the new reporting requirement starts July 1.
Law proposals
🏦 The government wants to make banks easier and cheaper to use. A new reform package with 11 initiatives aims to increase competition and transparency so people can compare prices more easily and switch to cheaper banks. An average family could save around 5,000 DKK per year after tax by choosing the cheapest option. The plan includes clearer overviews of all bank fees in online banking and earlier information about loans.
🏠 Fines for breaking residence rules could rise to 100,000 DKK. The social and housing minister wants to sharply increase penalties for people who leave year-round homes empty instead of living in them or renting them out. Today, violating the 180-day residence requirement can lead to a fine of up to 10,000 DKK, or 20,000 DKK for repeat offenses. The proposal would raise the second offense fine to up to 100,000 DKK to deter speculation and prevent a housing bubble.
⚔️ Defense could take over schools and ports in a crisis. A new bill would allow the military to expropriate property from companies, organizations, and public authorities in case of war or “extraordinary circumstances,” expanding a power that currently applies only to private citizens. This could include schools, sports halls, warehouses, ports, and airports if needed to move troops or host foreign forces in transit. The proposal broadens the definition to cover situations where national security is threatened, even without a formal war.
Political scene
🛡️ Denmark wants everyone crisis-ready for 72 hours. A new national “total defense” strategy will require citizens and companies to prepare for major crises, disasters, or war, bringing the country in line with other Nordic states. The plan moves away from silo-based emergency planning and calls on people to be able to manage on their own for up to 72 hours if needed. In 2026, 1.2 billion DKK will be allocated to strengthen critical infrastructure, including electricity and water security. After recent cyberattacks on water facilities, 254 million DKK will also fund a new water emergency response unit and tighter security requirements for the sector.
💰 Government ministers clash over cutting foreign aid. Venstre (Liberals) wants to reduce development aid from 0.7 to 0.5% of national income, saving around 6.5 billion DKK to spend on welfare and security instead. Coalition partners strongly disagree, arguing aid also supports security and migration management. The proposal would break with decades of meeting the UN target, and even the Liberals’ own development spokesperson admits he previously opposed similar cuts but now sees them as necessary in a more unstable world.
🏠 Debate grows over taxing housing profits. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen suggests shifting the housing tax away from ongoing property taxes and instead taxing large gains when a home is sold, while insisting existing home equity would not be touched. He argues today’s system creates geographic inequality, as rising prices in areas like North Zealand generate large untaxed gains.
At the same time, Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) proposes a 15% tax on profits above 1 million DKK, expected to raise around 2 billion DKK annually for social housing and rural areas, while allowing deductions and deferrals inspired by Sweden’s 22% model.
Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) reject new housing taxes, and experts warn a profit tax could reduce supply and push prices higher if fewer owners choose to sell.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🌊 How to protect your home during the thaw. Insurance companies are warning that this weekend’s sudden rise in temperatures and heavy rain could cause water damage as snow melts on frozen ground. When soil cannot absorb water, it can collect around houses and seep into basements. Experts recommend clearing snow away from foundations, checking gutters and drains, removing icicles, inspecting roofs and facades for cracks, and monitoring pipes and loft spaces for leaks. If you own a summer house, check it now. If damage occurs, contact your insurer quickly and document everything with photos.
🎤 Eurovision entry may switch language before May. Melodi Grand Prix winner Søren Torpegaard Lund won with the fully Danish song “Før vi går hjem,” but DR will decide next week whether it stays in Danish or gets an English version for Eurovision in Vienna in May. An English version is already being developed, yet both the singer and several Eurovision experts prefer keeping it in Danish, arguing the emotion and energy come across strongest in the original language.
🤖 Majority of upper secondary students admit to using AI to cheat. A new report from the Danish Evaluation Institute shows that two out of three final-year STX (general academic program) and HHX students (business program) say they have used AI in ways they themselves consider cheating, and nearly nine out of ten say the same in group work. Many feel pressured by classmates in what researchers describe as an academic “arms race,” with 40% worrying AI makes them lazier. The education ministry is now working on new rules for grading and exams.
🧠 Early puberty linked to higher risk of mental health struggles. Three large studies from Aarhus University followed around 16,000 young people and found that those who entered puberty early had a greater risk of anxiety and mental health diagnoses and higher use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. The pattern is strongest among girls, where each year earlier puberty was linked to a 26% higher risk of anxiety and up to double the likelihood of receiving psychiatric medication.
🏭 Company sends workers home every second week instead of firing them. Vestfrost Solutions in Esbjerg has put 80 production employees on a work-sharing scheme, where they work one week and receive unemployment benefits the next, due to a temporary drop in orders. The arrangement may continue until May and means lower income for staff, but many prefer it over redundancy. Experts say the model supports labor market flexibility and helps companies retain skilled workers until orders return.
🧶 Knitted clothes on nude statues spark a cultural debate. A wave of “knit activism” has seen people dress nude female statues across the country to highlight that only 43 named statues depict historically significant women, while 120 show anonymous nude women, and far more statues honor men. Supporters call it a temporary artistic comment on gender imbalance in public art, while critics question whether it amounts to vandalism. The culture minister says removable knitting is unlikely to count as damage and argues the bigger issue is how women are portrayed in public spaces.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
📈 Economy grew 2.9% in 2025, driven partly by defense spending. New figures from Statistics Denmark show GDP increased 2.9% for the year, with modest growth of 0.2% in the fourth quarter. Public spending jumped 5.6% in the final quarter, mainly due to higher defense purchases, while investments fell 2.7%. The pharmaceutical industry again played a major role. Exports fell slightly in the fourth quarter.
⛴️ Municipalities want state support for shortcut ferries. A new steering group representing nine shortcut ferries argues they should receive national subsidies like island ferries do, as they connect rural areas and reduce travel distances. For example, the Feggesund ferry can save commuters up to 40 kilometers compared to driving via the bridge. The service is under financial pressure after one municipality announced it may withdraw from cooperation by the end of the year unless a better funding deal is reached
💸 Most young adults receive money from their parents. New surveys show that around two out of three parents support their 18 to 29-year-old children financially, even after they move out, with 57% of parents helping adult children living on their own. Typical support includes mobile subscriptions, insurance, and direct cash transfers, and young adults still living at home receive even more. Economists say this reflects both high housing costs and a relatively strong middle class, but advise families to set clear limits and timelines so support does not become permanent.
State of the markets
🏗️ Construction projects risk delays without a national raw materials plan. The government promised a strategy for sand and gravel extraction in 2022, but it has not yet been delivered, and industry groups warn shortages could soon slow projects from roads to climate protection and defense upgrades. Demand is expected to rise by more than 50% by 2040, from 29 to nearly 45 million cubic meters, while easily accessible deposits are running out.
International Community HQ
🇺🇦 Jylland municipalities want more Ukrainians, while Copenhagen says stop. More than 66,000 Ukrainians have arrived since the Russian invasion, and the capital says it has no room for more. But in places like Lemvig and Ringkøbing-Skjern, mayors say they still have housing and jobs available, pointing to unemployment as low as 1.2% and a strong need for labor. Local leaders argue many Ukrainians are integrating well, finding work, and even buying homes, and say they would welcome additional arrivals.
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Community Noticeboard
🗓️ Mastering the Job Interview – Aarhus (City of Aarhus) 📍 Online | Tuesday, Feb 24, 10:00–11:30 | 👉 Register at international.aarhus.dk/events
🏡Buying a Home in Denmark 📍 Online & International House Copenhagen | Thursday, Feb 26, 17:00–19:00 👉 Register at ihcph.kk.dk
🎓Childcare & Education: A Guide for International Families in Denmark 📍 Online | Tuesday, Mar 3, 16:30–17:30 👉 Register at ihcph.kk.dk
CoNet: relaxed networking fueled by self-responsibility and collective empowerment📍 Spinderihallerne, Vejle | Thursday, Mar 19, 18:00–20:00 👉 Register here
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🇺🇸 “Denmark shares candid message to American travelers amid tensions with Trump over Greenland” – People.com
🏒 “Fans who raised Greenland’s flag at US-Denmark hockey game say it was a pro-European gesture” – Politico
🤝 “Canada signs agreement for defence co-operation with Denmark” – CTV News Canada
🔎 “Fact check: did Denmark’s parliament burst into laughter about Trump’s Greenland purchase plans?” – Euronews
🗣️ “Greenland row reopens after US senator calls Danish PM ‘little lady’” – Euractiv
👑 “Denmark’s king visits Greenland, showing unity in the face of Trump threats” – Arctic Today