Last Week in Denmark (16.01 - 23.01) Episode 2 Year 2
Are we ready for war? Integration Council; How to register a business; Shortage of educators
Editor HQ
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Public Health HQ
Status: 82,4% of the population has been vaccinated (4.840.306 people). 80,3% of the population received the second vaccine shot (4.717.518 people). 58,4% of the population received the booster shot (3.430.280 people). The region with the highest vaccination rate - North Denmark (84,4%).
Corona infection status: There is an average of 40000 new infected people every day. 825 people are hospitalized. The region with the highest rate of infection is the Capital Region (Copenhagen and suburbs). The region with the lowest rate of infection is North Denmark.
According to Statens Serum Institut, the omikron mutation of Covid-19 is more infectious but less dangerous than the delta mutation. That is the reason we have so many new infections (while the number of people hospitalized is still low).
Travel Guidelines: The current travel restrictions have been extended until the 31st of January.
People without an address in Denmark (yellow card) need to take a COVID19 test before entering Denmark.
People with an address in Denmark must take a COVID19 test in the first 24 hours in Denmark.
Almost 40 million dkk have been allocated to help people with eating disorders and self-harm thoughts.
Danish Politics HQ
New proposals: The government and SF (Socialist Party) will propose this autumn, a new law that will give companies the right to a business account. If the law passes, the only situation in which the banks can still refuse you is if they suspect you of money laundering or terrorism financing.
Another proposal that is discussed now in Parliament is related to identity theft on social media. If the law passes, identity theft will be punished with up to six months in jail. So if anyone made an account on Facebook or Tinder with your name, let them know of the consequences (you can report them to the police).
New research shows that hybrid cars are bad for the environment in equal measure with diesel and gas cars. Unfortunately, the number of hybrid cars in Denmark increased significantly in the last few years due to a tax reduction. Now, SF and Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) proposed to remove it.
Approved measures: Small businesses (especially from the rural areas) can now apply for “Vækstlåneordningen” (growth loan scheme) for amounts under 1 million dkk.
The Parliament approved a new four-year agreement regarding the usage of chemicals. The focus is on creating a non-toxic environment that protects the people and the biodiversity from harmful chemicals (especially allergenic and endocrine-disrupting substances).
Around the Danish political stage: The actor Pilou Asbæk aka. Euron Greyjoy from Game of Thrones has joined the Danish Social Democrat Party, with the ambition of changing the party from inside (especially on topics like refugees and immigration).
Integration minister Mattias Tesfaye feels that his two years and a half in office have affected his general wellbeing and soon wants to move to another ministry if possible.
The government and the Danish Royal House are boycotting the Winter Olympics in China. Why? The human rights situation there. The Danish athletes are still participating.
164 million dkk from the Danish government to support the Ukrainian military build-up.
Danish Economy HQ
Last week, we presented a last-minute opportunity to join a free course on how to start a business in Denmark. While many of you managed to catch a seat, some didn’t. Those who didn’t can apply for the April session. However, do it fast as there are only 25 seats.
114,000 people in Denmark have opened a “shares savings account” (aktiesparekonto) in 2021. What is that? A special investment tool (available to all the people with a bank account) that is perfect for beginners in buying and selling shares. If you lose money due to a negative interest rate then you should talk with your financial advisor (contact your bank) about this opportunity.
The Danish stock market has fallen by 9,4% since the beginning of 2022. Among the companies in C25 (OMX Copenhagen 25), Ambu, Bavarian Nordic, Netcompany, Coloplast and Novo Nordisk suffered the biggest losses (15-20% decrease in share value). On another story, 17% more people in Denmark have invested in shares in 2021.
Shortage of educators/pedagogues: 14.000 in the next couple of years, according to their trade union, BUPL. Already, the municipalities have started to compete with each other in order to attract the necessary pedagogues. For example, Copenhagen and Lyngby-Taarbæk are offering an employment bonus of 15,000 dkk. Fredensborg and Gentofte are considering doing the same thing.
A district energy (fjernvarme) company from Bjerringbro (Viborg) made an error in their calculations for heat prices. They announced an increase of 185% in price from 1st of April (44,000 dkk for a house under 100 m2). The whole management has been fired and new calculations are on the way.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
Healthcare updates: The official health app “MinSundhed” has a new feature. Based on your GPS location, you can get information on who to call in case of acute illness or injuries, if you are out travelling around Denmark.
If you are between 18 and 24 years old and you are looking to activate your free psychological help, it might be too late for this year. In just 19 days into 2022, all the places have been occupied. We expect a solution to this problem in the following months.
Record number of chlamydia (intercourse-transmitted disease) cases in Denmark. 29,443 cases among the 15 to 29 years old age group. An estimated 50,000 people in Denmark are infected every year. Chlamydia is an infection of the urethra, cervix or rectum. With symptoms (discharge/burning when urinating) or without. Untreated it can lead to decreased fertility. Easy to treat (with antibiotics). Free to get tested at your family doctor.
More than 30,000 people with gambling addiction have joined the Danish Gaming Authority Register of Voluntarily Excluded Players (ROFUS). If needed, you can also register here.
Culture updates: The art museum Kunsten from Aalborg will sue the artist Jens Haaning, after he stole more than 500,000 dkk meant for an artwork. Instead, he delivered two blank canvases named “Take the money and run!”. He explained that he can’t return the money as the artwork would lose its meaning. The story has been covered all over the world and cultural experts expect Kunsten to earn at least a few million dkk on that artwork.
3,581 words have been deleted from the Danish dictionary. Dansk Sprognævn (Danish Language Board) has the authority to delete unused, old words from the official dictionary.
6,281 people changed their given name (first name) in 2021. It costs 518 dkk to change your name and you can do that by sending an application here. However, consider the rules in your home country before you go on this path.
Sports updates: Denmark’s men football team won the FIFA Fair Play award for 2021 for the way they acted around Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at the European Championship match against Finland (12 June 2021).
Police updates: A new initiative is being tested in Nordsjælland by the Danish police. They will visit at home, people that have been charged with drug or alcohol driving to convince them to seek help.
In 2021, the number of rape cases reported has increased. 2,110 cases, from which in 1678 cases, the aggressor has been charged. The increase is due to the new consent law (that entered in force last year) which makes it easier for victims to report.
European Union HQ
The European Parliament has a new president. After the social-democrat Italian David Sassoli passed away due to health complications, the Christian-democrat Roberta Metsola from Malta has taken over. At 43, she is the youngest president ever and only the third woman. In her own words "I will stand against anybody who wants to destroy the European project".
Attend One Young World Summit (Tokyo, Japan) with all the costs covered. How? Apply for a scholarship from “Leading Europe”. Who? Young people between 18-30 years old that are involved in the civil and/or political society. Deadline - 31st January
Join the program “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs”. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur (over 18 years old with a business idea), you can apply to go and learn from an experienced entrepreneur for a period between one and six months (in the European Union). While you are learning, you will get paid.
Apply for Youthwise, the OECD’s Youth Advisory Board. Who? Young people aged 18‒30 that in 2022 will focus on how to build an inclusive and green future for & with young people. How? Answer the question: "What do you think should be the top priority for governments to ensure an inclusive and green future for young people?" either in a 60-second video or a 500-word text (maximum).
World’s story of the week
Potential war in Ukraine
The tensions between NATO and Russia are very high (1962 Cuban missile crisis level) after failed diplomatic talks last week. The Russians have further increased the military presence at the border with Ukraine and moved troops into Belarus at the border with Poland and Lithuania. An invasion of Ukraine is quite likely. Especially after the Russians living in the separatist republics (Luhansk; Donetsk) (from the territory of Ukraine) already received Russian passports, so now Russia can motivate an intervention to defend the interests of its own citizens.
What does Russia want?
Ukraine cannot join NATO.
NATO to move its troops from the Baltic states and Poland.
NATO to not deploy missiles in Poland and Romania.
To unify Russians and Ukrainians into “one nation”.
Will NATO accept Russia’s wishes? To put it shortly, no.
What is NATO doing and planning to do soon?
Military support for Ukraine (equipment, weapons, etc.).
Economic sanctions against Russia.
Latvia proposed to disconnect Russia’s banking system from SWIFT.
Germany threatened to not use the newly built “Nord Stream 2” gas pipeline.
Focus on your daily life
How to register a business in Denmark
In Denmark, it is very easy to register a new business and many institutions can help you in the process of building it. Check out this link to discover opportunities in your municipality.
First, choose a name, create a logo and decide if you want to protect them.
When you choose your company name, make sure you googled it first, you checked it on CVR and then on the Danish Patent and Trademark office.
Your name and logo represent your trademark. You can choose to protect them (so others cannot use them) by applying to the Danish Patent and Trademark office. It takes 8-12 weeks to process an application and it costs 2,000 dkk. Once approved, you can use the ® symbol after your name and license it to others if you wish.
Second, register a patent if you bring a new product/solution on the market, to protect your invention.
You can apply for a patent at the Danish Patent and Trademark office. It can take one to three years before a patent is approved. Your patent is valid for up to 20 years (as long as you pay the yearly fee). It costs 3000 dkk to apply.
Third, choose the legal form of your business. Your possibilities are related to the number of owners, the degree of responsibility and starting capital.
If you make under 50,000 dkk/year, you are not required to register your business. However, if you wish to have a CVR number, you can register as PMV (Personally Owned Small Business). As a PMV, you do not charge VAT (“Moms”). The limitations are: you cannot hire; you cannot export/import from outside the European Union and you can only have one PMV (at once). Obs! All forms of business in Denmark need to do bookkeeping and keep receipts/invoices for five years.
The most popular legal form for new businesses is “Enkeltmandsvirksomhed” (Sole proprietorship). This can be possible if you are the only owner. It is free to register and there is no capital requirement. The limitation is that you are liable for the debt incurred by your company (debt collectors can take anything of value you own). Your revenue is taxed as personal income. Obs! You can deduct your losses from your taxes. You can apply for a corporate tax scheme (VSO) if you wish to pay the corporate tax instead or partly (which is at 22%).
If you don’t want to be liable for the debt incurred by your company, you can set up an “anpartsselskab” (ApS) which is a limited liability company. There can be one or more owners. You need a starting capital of 40,000 dkk (or assets of this value) which can be invested. You need to create a “Stiftelsesdokument ApS” (founding document). Make sure to not use the company’s funds for private use as that is illegal. You must submit an annual account to the Danish Business Authority.
Last step, go to virk.dk and register your company. It takes less than 15 minutes to register and you get a CVR number (Central Business Register) within a week. The VAT number (that you need to sell/buy products from abroad) is your CVR number with “DK” in front. Choosing the industry code is not very important, as you can do several, unrelated, business operations in the same company.
Join Denmark
As an international, you can join your local integration council (Integrationsrådet), which is an advisory body for the local council. Basically, you can get to have a say over how the local society is governed for the next four years. However, you need to hurry, as the process of selecting the members of the council for the next four years has already begun. All you need to do is to contact the secretariat of the integration council and let them know you want to be part of it.
We have integration councils in 45 municipalities out of 98. If you live in a municipality without one, you should contact your mayor about it. Then you can be appointed as an integration representative with the mission to establish an integration council. You can make history in your municipality.
Stories from our community
The Romanian truck driver Pavel Paul Todor has been on the cover of the regional newspaper “JydskeVestkysten” with a story about his new business: a store with Eastern European specialities in Vejen.
Lithuanian artists (Konstancija Dzimidaviciene and Daina Dauksiene) have been mentioned on the local newspaper “SN” after their ceramic artworks have been put up for display in Galleri Juel Verland Arts from Holbæk.
A Romanian mechanic called Darius Bura got profiled in the regional newspaper “Fyens Stiftstidende” after he managed to accomplish his dream: save enough money to start his own car workshop in Tommerup, Assens (DB Auto).
A young Latvian couple started a new cafe in Kolding called “North Folk”.
The EU-funded recruitment program, GO VEST, has been mentioned in the local newspaper “Farso Avis” after it matched a local company (Thorsen-Teknik) with two internationals (American Terricka Thomas and Romanian Adrian Bosancu).
The Czech U-21 national football player, Jan Zamburek has moved from Brentford (UK) to Viborg FF. In other sport news, the Polish football player, Dawid Kurminowski has a hard time adapting to life in Aarhus.
An investigation made by 3F Trade Union shows that Eastern European farm workers that have been mistreated or taken advantage of, choose to leave Denmark (in the middle of a worker shortage crisis).