Last Week in Denmark (26.11 - 03.12) Episode 46 Year 3
Finance Law 2024; 1000 DKK banknote; Right to business bank account
Editor HQ
You can still sign up for our meetup events around Denmark here. Nine events around Denmark between the 3rd of November and the 9th of December. Rights and opportunities, entertainment, networking, food and drinks, meetup for subscribers. Free access.
Next time we meet in Skive (9th December;11-13, Jægervej 12, 7800 Skive).
Results of the survey - “Last Week in Denmark Association”
As you know already, LWID is a volunteer-run media initiative. In the survey, we tested different futures for the project to see your opinion about it and better understand what the smart next move is.
One of the futures we tested was the idea of creating a Last Week in Denmark association that would basically be in charge of this project. 40.7% said that they would support such an idea and become members of the association. 37.2% clearly said “No, thank you”, while 22.1% were still on the fence.
Among the ones who supported the idea, 44.8% supported a 150 DKK yearly membership fee and 26.6% supported a 200 DKK yearly membership fee.
In terms of benefits for the members, the majority wanted participation in exclusive events for members (60.1%); premium content only for members (43.8%); the possibility to decide on the future of LWID (34%); the possibility to be part of LWID leadership (27.8%).
For now, it’s just an idea. However, even if we decide to go this way, one thing I can guarantee is that access to the newsletter will always be free.
The Turkish edition of the newsletter goes into an indefinite hiatus: Unfortunately, translating the newsletter alone, week after week, has taken a toll on Cicek Eris (the editor of the Turkish edition) and we decided to put the Turkish edition on hold until we find more people interested in volunteering and supporting the translation efforts. If you are interested in taking over the Turkish edition, write to lastweekdk@gmail.com.
Opportunity: Free online course about your rights and opportunities as a European Union citizen living in Denmark provided by AMIS with funding from Europa-Naevnet. When? Saturday, 16th December at 14:00. Sign up here.
Danish Politics HQ
New Laws and Regulations
129.5 million DKK for better support towards families going through divorce: The government entered into an agreement with all parliamentary parties to invest 129.5 million DKK in the support system offered to families that have to go through the Familieretshuset (Family Court). Long waiting times for examinations by child experts must be reduced, and the Family Court's efforts for the children must be strengthened (more supervised visits, etc.).
How will your tax money be spent in 2024?
As you already know by now, around December (usually), a finance law is passed (that contains, besides the budget for keeping the country running, also initiatives or areas on which extra money is spent). The finance law shows how your tax money will be spent in 2024.
Unlike in other years, where the section with money distributed for new initiatives has many, many pages, this year, that part is quite slim. No wonder 11 out of the 12 parties in Parliament support it. There isn’t much to disagree with. Most of the money has already been spent anyway in the plan for 2030 :) (remember, the tax cuts that will give you a higher fradrag as we get closer to the 30s and more money to keep if you can afford to buy a Tesla with your yearly salary).
So, what are the headlines? Well, for once, we are nowhere to be found in the finance law. Not even one mention (by we, I mean internationals and all the other variations of the word in Danish).
Okay, so nothing from Santa Mette? I mean, you get a higher fradrag, do you really need more for Christmas? Joke aside, you get another fradrag increase for next year by 5000 DKK, the one for service. That is, if you pay for some services in a legal way (not cash, cough, cough), like for your gardener, babysitter, or window cleaner (the list is not exhaustive), you can get part of that deducted (11,900 DKK next year).
Welfare
50 million DKK for the municipalities that need more support in the PPR area (Psychological Counseling in daycares and schools) (more jobs for psychology graduates).
150 million DKK to improve care for the elderly. Money for new technologies and initiatives that increase the overall quality. (business opportunity and new jobs for data analysts).
41.8 million DKK for CFU (Center for Teaching Materials) so that they don’t have to severely cut down on their expenses. They produce teaching materials for schools.
4 million DKK for the Dementia Alliance to support further data gathering on dementia in society.
10 million DKK extra for the Center for Brain Injury, so that more citizens with brain damage can receive help.
10 million DKK to establish a private patient consultancy as an alternative to the public regional patient guides. The role is to inform patients about their rights (a tender will come soon, and some lucky consultancy firm will get a new contract).
5 million DKK extra for the Thin Blue Line association (support for the injured members of the Police Force and their relatives).
Green Transition
150 million DKK for the expansion of district heating projects around the country. If some of you remember the great energy crisis from, well, last year, the word “fjernvarme” could turn your best friend still connected to gas into your worst enemy :).
105 million DKK to fight oxygen depletion in Danish coastal waters. If you live near the coast, expect coastal water councils to be established (kystvandråd) which will be able to spend the money on local initiatives. Also, focus will be on farmers who still insist on using low-lying soils. P.S. (opportunity for a new type of consultants to appear - the low-lying consultants who are meant to convince farmers to give up using those areas - a new job for you, maybe?)
50 million DKK to ensure you still pay less registration tax for electric cars (if you haven’t switched yet, do it before the end of 2025 - times will not be forever in favor of electric cars).
10 million DKK for circular economy projects. A new grant will be established for which you can apply if you want to start a repair cafe, courses on how to do it yourself, etc. (business opportunity).
10 million DKK for an action plan on repairs, access to spare parts, updates, and life extensions. Expect some sort of incentive to convince you to repair instead of buying new, like other EU countries have done.
11 million DKK for extra training in green transition for school teachers, so they can disseminate the information better to students.
Rural areas
50 million DKK to ensure more ambulances are available in areas far away from regional hospitals (if you live in a rural area, you will be happy that your chance of dying has just been reduced).
31.5 million DKK to support gymnasiums (high schools) and adult education centers in rural areas.
125 million DKK for municipalities hit by the great storm flood of October. Money to rebuild (covering 25% of the costs of rebuilding).
100 million DKK for initiatives in villages with less than 4000 people (for various purposes - main one is the renewal - f.ex. money can be used to demolish derelict buildings).
82 million DKK for local initiatives.
Danish Citizenship, Integration and Immigration Laws
84% of non-Danish people have experienced discrimination in Denmark: A study by the Institute for Human Rights shows that the large majority of people with another ethnic background than Danish who live in Denmark experienced discrimination at least once.
63% experienced bad words due their ethnic background; 58% experienced prejudice; 49% experienced worse service; 48% got an application rejected; 39% said that people are acting around them like they are afraid; 36% got refused entrance in a club or another place; 29% got stopped by the police for no reason; 12% experienced violence.
The ethnic groups that experience the most discrimination are from Africa, Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.
Only 11% report acts of discrimination to the authorities.
5 million DKK for the European-Ukrainian Hub in Copenhagen: Danmarks Erhvervsfremmebestyrelse (Denmark’s Business Promotion Board) awarded a significant grant to the European-Ukrainian Hub in Copenhagen. Why? To promote entrepreneurship among Ukrainians living in Denmark and encourage at least 263 of them to start a business.
Law proposals and ideas
Time to end illegal year-round living in kolonihaver (allotment): DF (conservative nationalists) will propose a law to force municipalities to check the “kolonihaver” to see if people are using them to live year-round and give them the possibility to evict people. Most of the other parliamentary parties seem favorable towards their proposal, so it has a high chance of passing. Why? Allotment houses are not intended for year-round living (the original concept is that people from the apartments can use them as gardens for the summer).
Entrepreneurs should have the right to a business bank account: The government proposed a law to make it a right for entrepreneurs to receive a business bank account. If it passes (which is highly likely, considering they have a majority), the banks will have 10 days from the time of application to open a business bank account. They can still refuse on the ground of suspicion for money laundering, but you will be able to appeal.
The same right will be applicable to associations.
The political arena
Failed promises to worn-out workers: Back in 2020, Socialdemokratiet (social-democrats) entered in a majority agreement with SF (socialists), Enhedlisten (red-green alliance) and DF to make it easier for worn-out workers to retire earlier (seniorpension). However, the agreement is not present in the finance law for 2024. Why? The social democrats claim there is no longer a majority behind the agreement and have therefore decided not to follow up on it.
If you are assessed that you can only work 15 hours per week and you have six years until retirement age, then you can qualify for an early pension. The idea of the agreement was to raise the bar to 18 hours per week.
The local people in Thisted will vote in a referendum if they want to change the name of the municipality: “Thy” or “Thisted” are the two options on the voting ballot. The local citizens will vote online, and the final results will count in the final decision taken by the City Council on 27th February 2024. Why? Branding. “Thy” has become a nationally recognized brand.
Conflict between the Copenhagen City Council and the Business Minister: Why? A potential tourist tax in the capital, just like in other large EU cities. The City Council voted to look into the possibility of introducing a tourist tax. However, they need permission from the government to do so. The business minister already said “No” as Copenhagen needs to stay competitive in the tourism industry.
Danish Economy HQ
The end of the 1000 DKK banknote: Denmark’s National Bank has decided to take out from circulation the Danish banknote with the highest value. When? 31st May 2025. You have one year and a half to use them or change them into smaller bills. Why? It’s mostly used for financial crime. They are phasing it out to prevent money laundering. There are 23 billion DKK of 1000 DKK banknotes in circulation.
“It should be voluntary for businesses to accept cash” says Denmark’s National Bank. Today, businesses are obliged to accept cash from customers. The association of retail stores (Dansk Detail) supports the idea of making it voluntary. According to them, handling cash has become expensive and difficult for the companies.
In Sweden, it is no longer mandatory for companies to accept cash.
There are exceptions to the obligation to accept cash. Self-service environments (unmanned petrol station, f.ex); internet shopping; short events like festivals and markets. Also, cash can be refused between 10 PM and 06 AM.
At the moment, the government refuses to consider the idea.
Workers with an international background have a higher risk of occupational accidents in the construction industry: In fact, 37% of all the fatal work accidents result in the death of an international construction worker. The number is really high considering that only 12.5% of construction workers are international. Why? The internationals get the tasks that are the most dangerous, the dirtiest, and the most uncomfortable.
Only 20% of work accidents related to an international worker are reported. Why? The workers are threatened by their employers (to lose their job).
3.7% of the population in Denmark lives in poverty (2022 number): 213,900 people, to be more exact. That is 19,100 fewer people compared to 2021. The number of children living in poverty has also decreased, from 53,800 to 47,200.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
The Christmas season is on and the snow is here - what does it mean for you as a house dweller?: You have to clear the public pavements next to your house. You must clear the entire width of the pavement – or at least two metres. If it is slippery, sprinkle with sand or salt. If you are renting, it is your landlord’s responsibility. If a passer-by falls down on a pavement next to your house, you could be liable for compensation. If you want to read more about the rules, check here.
Healthcare with Punitha Kumar
Respiratory diseases and infections including Covid-19 on the rise, the Danish Health Authority says. Dr Bolette Søborg said whooping cough, influenza, and cases of the RS virus were also increasing - all known as seasonal diseases that often occur during autumn and winter. “The infection rate (of these diseases) has not reached its peak. For instance, flu often significantly rises between Christmas and New Year,” she told TV2, adding that risk groups should take their vaccination shots against influenza and Covid-19.
Moisturize your skin with products containing a high percentage of fat, a doctor has advised. Gentofte Hospital skin and allergy department professor Dr Jeanne Duus Johansen said the current cold climate often leads to extreme dry skin, which occurs when the temperature drops below 0 degrees. “Cracks can appear in the skin, and this means that the skin barrier against the environment, such as chemical substances, viruses, and bacteria, becomes prone to serious skin problems such as eczema,” she told DR. To mitigate and avoid drying skin, Jeanne gave several tips, and they are as follows:
Try to use lotions that have at least 70% fat, this will help the skin retain its moisture and reduce evaporation,
Apply moisturizers between 20 and 30 minutes before heading out, this gives the skin the time to fully absorb the moisture it needs,
Moisturize at night, before you go to sleep,
Choose moisturizers that are perfume-free to avoid skin irritation and allergies.
Sports with Jelimir Vlastici
The 26th IHF Women's World Handball Championship kicked off on Wednesday, with Denmark, Sweden, and Norway as host countries. The event spans nearly three weeks, culminating in the final on 17 December. The host cities in Denmark for the championship are Herning and Frederikshavn.
Announcement Board
This section is curated by Cicek Eris. If you have events you want us to include here please send an email to denmarkhappenings@gmail.com. You can check out her newsletter about cultural events in Denmark here.
Copenhagen, 5th Dec, 17.00-19.00: Interested in renting a home or buying cooperative housing in Denmark? At this event, you will be guided through the Danish housing market and what you should look out for when considering renting a place to live or buying cooperative housing.
Esbjerg, 7th Dec, 17.00-19.00: Join this upcoming event with author Mahmoud Zamzam, an Esbjerg native, who will offer his perspective on perception and prejudices.
Copenhagen, 6 December: Stop by Pilipczuk Gallery for a beautiful dual exhibition entitled “Of Lust and Transformation” featuring two Polish artists, Ewelina Skowronska (PL/JPN) and Edyta Hul (PL). The exhibition explores the connection of nature to feminine energy and the alchemical process behind the creation of artworks. Pilipczuk Gallery represents emerging female artists, primarily from Eastern Europe, and hosts various exhibitions and events throughout the year, so make sure it is on your radar.
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