Last Week in Denmark (04.02-11.02) Episode 4 Year 4
Uber comeback; Fastelavn; Free Business course
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
Happy Fastelavn! It’s that one day in February where you can fight your kids for the sweets dropped from the cat’s barrel. It’s also a day when you can embrace your sweet tooth.
We had rain, snow, and minus degrees this week. A kind reminder that winter is not over yet. And no one felt the fury of nature more than the people of Vejle, who have faced floods, landslides, and emergency evacuations. As predicted by scientists, with every year of rising temperatures, the weather conditions become more extreme.
On the positive side, we are less lonely and use fewer tobacco products, according to the public health report from 2023. We still drink like there’s no tomorrow, but at least the amount has stagnated in the last few years. Our mental health scores look grim, but it could also be that we pay more attention to them than we did in the past.
How can we get healthier? One idea is free school lunches. A study from the UK shows that such programs reduce obesity and boost reading skills. The Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) leader is already calling for it. Moving from the canteen to the playgrounds, the authorities are trying hard to remove puff bars dealers. Inside the classrooms, the government plans to introduce a new subject - “understanding of technology” - to teach about deep tech, AI, and data, and integrate elements of technology understanding in all subjects from year one to year nine.
I will end this week’s column with a series of shameless plugs: First, you are invited to an event in Copenhagen where I will speak about the future of Denmark (February 22, evening). Second, I am looking for a podcast producer for a 10-episode project called #VOTEHOME (paid gig). Send an email to amis.aalborg@gmail.com. Third, I am working on an article about the beauty industry in Denmark and seeking entrepreneurs within this sector to interview. Send an email to lastweekdk@gmail.com. Lastly, I am looking for internationals working in bookkeeping and accounting in Denmark for a paid collaboration. Send an email to info@aalborgid.com. Thank you for reading. See you next week!
Word of the Week
Fastelavn = Carnival. The word comes from the German “fastelabend,” meaning the evening before the fasting started. Basically, it was the day you could go crazy with all the sweet and savory stuff before going into the long 40-day fasting period. The celebration has Catholic roots, but since the 1536 Reformation, it lost its religious significance.
Quiz
Danish Politics HQ
Weekly political overview
The government declared war on screens in schools. They want teachers and students to use them less and go back to classic pen and paper. In fact, they sent 12 recommendations to schools around the country, including going completely mobile-free.
Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Denmark, which means couples seeking a woman to carry their child must go abroad. However, that creates a legal nightmare regarding child registration. Now a majority in the Parliament wants to make it easier.
Young people have the right to free dental care until they are 22 years old. Unfortunately, when they extended the right from 18 to 22 years old, the Parliament didn’t consider if there would be enough public dentists to cover the need. Now, the waiting lists are reigning supreme.
If you receive housing benefits (boligstøtte), then you can look forward to one month of zero rent this summer. This is part of a delayed inflation aid program that was supposed to be implemented last year.
Who will challenge Mette Frederiksen for the prime minister seat in 2026? The former blue block parties are investing their hope (albeit quietly at the moment) in Alex Vanopslagh (leader of Liberal Alliance and king of TikTok). He is already trying to reunite the blue block through constant meetings with the leaders of the other former blue parties, including recruiting Pernille Vermund from Nye Borgerlige and inviting Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) into the blue block. The opinion polls (15% for Liberal Alliance) give him legitimacy to do so.
Focus
Is Uber coming back to Denmark? The taxi legislation of 2017 forced Uber out of Denmark. Now the government is considering relaxing the law so that rural areas, which are inadequately serviced by taxis, could have an alternative. When and if it will actually become a reality, we will know after the transport expert committee report at the end of 2024.
The transport ministry is looking into alternatives for economically unsustainable bus routes in certain areas of Denmark. Among the options are carpooling, car sharing, flex traffic, Uber-like services, and other models.
Moderaterne (Social Liberal Moderates) are looking forward to the legalization of platform-based driving services, as it will increase opportunities to get back home at night. However, the trade unions dismiss that argument, saying that such services will only function in populated areas (as shown by the usage of Uber in other countries).
Do you know the lead candidates for the European Parliament elections this summer? If you said no, don’t worry about it; you are not alone. Nine out of 11 lead candidates are generally unknown to the vast majority of Denmark. Why? The media. It doesn’t matter how important their work in Brussels is or that the Danish Parliament mainly implements EU legislation. They are in the spotlight only when they work in Copenhagen.
The most well-known lead candidates are Morten Løkkegaard (Venstre - Liberals; 70%); Stine Bosse (Moderaterne - Social Liberals; 63%); Henrik Dahl (Liberal Alliance - Libertarians; 49%); Christel Schaldemose (Socialdemokratiet - Social Democrats; 47%) and Anders Vistisen (DF - Nationalist Conservatives; 41%).
The least well-known lead candidates are Sigrid Friis (Radikale Venstre - Social Liberals; 23%); Kristoffer Storm (DD - Nationalist Populist; 23%); Jan Kristoffersen (Alternativet - Greens; 24%); Kira Marie Peter-Hansen (SF - Socialists; 24%); Niels Flemming Hansen (Konservative - Conservatives; 26%) and Per Clausen (Enhedslisten - Red/Green Alliance; 38%).
You can use this quiz to test your knowledge about the candidates. Remember, EU citizens living in Denmark have the option to vote for Danish candidates.
Danish Economics HQ
New king, new coins: The National Bank is preparing to mint coins with the King’s portrait (on 10 and 20 DKK) and the King’s monogram (on 1, 2, and 5 DKK). We should see the new coins in our hands by the end of the year (for those of us who still use coins, that is). The old coins will remain in circulation.
Which companies pay the most tax in Denmark? As you can imagine, Novo Holdings A/S (which owns part of Novo Nordisk and many other companies) pays the most, at 8.734 billion DKK. Surprisingly, in second place is the energy trading company Danske Commodities A/S, with 3.279 billion DKK. The podium is completed by the energy company Andel Holding A/S, with 2.346 billion DKK.
In the top 20, there are seven energy trading companies, three banks, two biotech companies, Pandora, and A.P. Møller.
Should money be equal to power in Denmark? Researchers and politicians want to introduce a registry for lobbyists. Why? Closed meetings between Novo Nordisk employees and local politicians in Kalundborg. Most EU states, the EU, and the USA already have registers for lobbyists.
Difficult times at Ørsted and Mærsk: First, the renewable energy company Ørsted lost 20.2 billion DKK in 2023 and therefore was forced to fire 600-800 employees this year, of which 150 are in Denmark. Then, the value of Mærsk shares has dropped 12%, even though they reported a profit of 27 billion DKK for 2023. Why? The price for shipping containers fell so much that the company ended Q4 with a 3 billion DKK deficit and 2024 looks difficult.
Entrepreneur’s corner
Free course in Business Economics for Entrepreneurs: Aalborg Institute for Development, Erhvervshusene & Iværksætterdanmark provides the opportunity to learn how to do the bookkeeping, taxes, budgets and financial planning of your business. After the course, you'll have a clear overview of the money flows in your company and be able to use that knowledge to make strategic decisions for the sustainable development of your company. Sign up here. When? Four sessions between March 9 and April 6.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Insights into the Danish way of life
Winter break is here! If Fastelavn wasn’t enough fun for the smallest generation, most children around the country are also off school for the next few days. The vast majority of Danish schools have their break this week, although some municipalities will have it during week eight.
To celebrate the small holiday, some lucky families pack up their stuff and run towards the heat and sun. For those who can afford it, some popular destinations are the Canary Islands, Morocco, or maybe even Thailand. However, the most common plan is to embrace the cold season and have some fun in the snow. Wagrain or Bad Gastein in Austria and Val d’Isere or Val Thorens in France are some of the favorites. The majestic Scandinavian mountains are a popular choice as well, as neighboring Norway and Sweden are easier to reach and a bit cheaper. Among the youth, winter sports are a great excuse to organize a trip with friends. If you, too, are off for some days of skiing, expect to bump into several groups of high school students.
Those who prefer to save the big travels for the warmer months stay in flat but hygge Denmark. Families might cozy up in a summer house on the west coast of Jutland or visit grandparents in the countryside. The common aim is to relax and have some quality time away from the city bustle.
Explainer
Preparing for retirement: We continue the series of explainers related to retirement in Denmark. Last time we covered the state pension. Now we move forward to labor market pensions and individual pensions.
Individual pensions are private financial products you can get from a pension fund or a bank. There are mainly three types: retirement savings (alderopsparing), installment pension (ratepension), and life annuity (livsvarig livrente).
You can pay max. 9,100 DKK yearly to the retirement savings. It’s not tax deductible, but you don’t have to pay tax when you retire and withdraw the money. If you take the money out earlier, you pay a 20% tax. It is a lump sum you receive in one payment.
You can pay max. 63,100 DKK yearly to the installment pension. It is tax deductible, but you also pay income tax when you receive it. You can receive the pension for minimum 10 years and maximum 30 years.
You can pay as much as you want for the life annuity. It is tax deductible, but you will pay income tax when you receive it. You can receive the life annuity for as long as you live.
Labor market pensions are financial schemes you can get in connection with your work contract if you have a company pension agreement or a collective work contract. If you change jobs, you might need to also change your pension company. Those who do that often end up with many pension savings accounts. Usually, both the employer and the employee contribute to the labor market pension. Remember that you can take risks with this pension for bigger gains.
If you have a job without a labor market pension, you can at least count on ATP Lifelong Pension. The size of pension is directly related to the number of years worked in Denmark. This is a supplementary income to the state pension.
Weekly overview
Paracetamol suppositories for children are finally back on pharmacy shelves, the Danish Medicines Agency said. The painkiller had been low in supply and almost always out of stock at stores since last autumn, due to production issues with a supplier. As supplies have stabilized, parents no longer need a prescription to purchase the medicine.
Not a fan of small chats while getting a haircut? Ask for a “quiet cut”. Denmark's Organization for Independent Hairdressers and Beauticians said “quiet cuts” are a new trend spreading across the country, where conversations during a haircut only revolve around the haircut itself and nothing more.
Gel nail polishes can cause permanent skin allergies, the Consumer Council says. Gel polishes contain acrylates that can result in brittle and damaged nails and cuticles and premature skin aging over time. Due to an increasing number of skin allergy cases caused by gel polishes, the Council has removed over 70 types of gel polishes from Kemiluppen (an app that checks your products against chemicals) and strongly recommends people to stop applying gel polishes on their nails.
Online nursing degrees are now available for SOSU employees thanks to Hjørring’s vocational college, University College of Northern Denmark (UCN). This week, 47 SOSU (social and health assistants) employees started their course, which gives them the flexibility to study online while working part-time. UCN states that the degree can be completed in 2.5 years and based on the interest shown so far, there’s a clear demand among SOSUs for career advancement opportunities within the healthcare sector.
Aarhus takes the top spot as the world's happiest city, according to a survey by the UK’s Institute for Quality of Life. The 2023 ranking is based on factors like education, economy, governance, commuting ease, and green space access. Amsterdam was in second place while Bergen, Norway was third. Copenhagen took the 29th spot.
European Union HQ
Europe This Week
EU scraps pesticide reduction bill in face of farmer protests. The European Commission has decided to abandon the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (SUR) regulation, originally part of the Green Deal, due to significant opposition, including farmer protests and political pushback, particularly from center-right politicians. This marks a departure from the Commission's previous emphasis on reducing synthetic pesticide use in agriculture, indicating a broader softening of the EU's stance on greening the agri-food sector.
On the other hand, undeterred by farmers’ protests, the European Greens want the EU to raise its climate ambitions. The party manifesto urges the EU to phase out all fossil fuels by 2040, with a ban on coal by 2030.
EU accelerates financial transactions: instant money transfers approved for retail customers and businesses.The European Parliament has approved new regulations ensuring immediate funds transfer to the bank accounts of retail customers and businesses across the EU. The rules mandate affordable and instant processing of credit transfers by banks and payment service providers, with a requirement that the money arrives within ten seconds.
Rights
Cross-border prescription: A prescription delivered by a doctor in one EU country is valid in all other EU countries. You can ask your doctor to give you a prescription to use in another EU country, also known as a "cross-border prescription." The dispensation of prescriptions is subject to the rules of the country where they are dispensed. This means that a pharmacist will apply national rules when dispensing your medicine – for example, time or dosage limitations to dispensation of prescriptions. You can also use e-prescriptions via MyHealthEU.
Opportunities
Travel to Asturias, Spain: Improve your competences in facilitation, group management and dialogue support techniques via a training course in Oviedo. When? March 11-16. Deadline! February 16. Accommodation, food and travel are covered.
Travel to Thessaloniki, Greece: The Networking and Study Visit event aims to provide an inside look into the volunteering programs in Thessaloniki and small rural communities in Northern Greece. When? April 8-12. Deadline! February 16. Accommodation, food and travel are covered.
Travel to County Meath, Ireland: Sharing positive examples of working with young people from ethnic minority backgrounds. When? May 13-17. Deadline! February 19. Accommodation, food and travel are covered.
Announcement Board
Aarhus, February 16, 16:00-18:00: Finally Friday – Broaden your social circle by having an after-work drink with other people from around Aarhus. First 20 attendees will get a beer or soda on the house. See details here.
International media about Denmark HQ
Danish defense minister warns Russia could attack NATO in 3-5 years (Reuters)
Google’s use of student data could effectively ban Chromebooks from Denmark schools (Verge)
Denmark And Sweden Propose Joint-Bid To Host UEFA Women’s Euro 2029 (Forbes)
Last Week in Denmark’s Universe
Read long-form articles on our website: How to learn Danish; Danish Business Culture; How to invest in Denmark; Guides for non-Europeans - I and II; How to negotiate your salary; Giving birth in Denmark - I and II; Pension in Denmark - I and II; Translator in Denmark and many other untold stories from the community.
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Check out our cool merchandise (top quality): Moving forward; Searching for home; Vasil; Irina; Kifaax; Monika
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News from the volunteer team:
Call for a podcaster: We are looking for a podcast producer willing to join our project #VOTEHOME, where we’ll interview (in English) the lead candidates for European Parliament elections from every political party in Denmark. We want to produce 10 episodes in the period February-May 2024. As the project is financed by a grant, we can provide some form of payment. Send us an email at amis.aalborg@gmail.com