Learn to live with the winter darkness and embrace the festive season!
Last Week in Denmark (23.11-30.11) Episode 42 Year 5
TOP 3 News
💰 Record-high wealth hides big gaps – Average personal wealth hit 2.17 million DKK in 2024, but the median is just 801,000 DKK, showing how top earners pull the numbers up.
🏳️🌈 EU says same-sex marriages must be recognized – A new court ruling requires all EU countries to acknowledge marriages performed elsewhere, protecting free movement and family life.
🏋️ Fitness gets pricier in 2026 – Gyms and leisure activities will add VAT for people over 30, raising membership costs despite planned tax deductions.
Illustration by Diana Bălașa
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.
The podcast team is looking for a graphic designer that is able to volunteer max. 2 hours per week. If you are interested write to info@lwid.dk
Remember to check out our New Reporting in International Community HQ, further down the newsletter. These are original articles in English by our own Last Week in Denmark reporters.
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
🎄 The festive season is officially switched on. Streets are glowing, windows are flickering with candles, and even the cold feels a little softer when wrapped in the smell of æbleskiver and gløgg. For many internationals, this is the moment when the darkness turns into a shared ritual of light and everyone slows down just a little to enjoy it. It is the perfect time to look around and realize that belonging is built not in big declarations but in tiny festive moments.
🇪🇺 And as we step into this cosy season, it’s worth remembering something extraordinary that many of us carry in our pockets every day without thinking: European Union citizenship. It might look like just a passport, but in reality it is a superpower. It lets you move, live, study, work, and retire across 27 countries with almost no barriers, giving you freedoms that most of the world can only dream of. EU citizenship means your qualifications can travel with you, your pension follows you, and your rights are protected wherever you go in Europe, whether you’re renting a home, signing a contract, or starting a business.
For many internationals living here, these rights are not abstract. They shape real lives. They allow families to stay together across borders, entrepreneurs to build companies in Denmark, students to study where they dream, and workers to build careers that are not trapped by geography. And the best part is that these rights are growing, not shrinking, with new reforms planned for healthcare access, digital rights, cross-border work, and mobile social security. If you want to truly understand the power of EU citizenship and how to use every benefit available, now is the time to learn more. 👉 Sign up for our free online course on European Union Citizenship and discover the rights you already have but may not be using.
🌟 This year, our sister organization, AMIS - A More Inclusive Society, has been building something special across the country: real spaces where internationals can meet, learn, feel seen, and feel empowered. We organised European Evenings in multiple cities, brought together residents and experts to talk about Europe’s future, produced the #VOTEHOME podcast to help internationals understand their voting rights, supported community events from Aalborg to Copenhagen, and opened doors for people who often go unheard. AMIS has done all this with a tiny team and the belief that internationals deserve a seat at the table.
💛 But to keep building these spaces we need the community to stand with us. AMIS must reach 300 paying members (150 DKK per year) by the end of 2025 to qualify for operational funding in 2026. That funding would allow us to continue our work, hire staff, create more events, and support internationals across Denmark with real, long-term impact. If you believe in a Denmark where everyone can belong, thrive, and take part, this is the moment to help us grow. Your membership is not just support; it is a vote for the kind of country we want to build together.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Image of the week
🐺 A rare glimpse into the wild. A pack of wolves was caught on camera this week, offering a stunning and almost cinematic moment from Denmark’s forests. The footage shows the animals moving silently through the trees, a reminder of how quietly wildlife can return when no one is watching.
🎄 When Christmas lights go all-in. One street has officially declared the holiday season open with what might be Denmark’s most over-the-top Christmas display. Thousands of glowing bulbs, colourful figures, and flashing decorations have transformed an ordinary neighborhood into a full festive wonderland.
LWID Universe
Linkedin - Instagram - Facebook - LWID App - Merchandise Store - Podcast - Website
Opportunity! Join our team that is redesigning the website. We need a graphic designer for a couple of weeks in December so that we can finish the details and have a proper website by the end of this year. Write to info@lwid.dk.
Did you know you can read Last Week in Denmark in eight other languages?
Romanian - Polish - Spanish - Turkish - Italian - German - Hungarian - Ukrainian
Danish Politics HQ
New laws
👩🦽 New disability action plan aims to get 15,000 more people with disabilities into work. The government and a broad majority of parties have launched a national plan to improve access to education and jobs for people with disabilities. Today one in five young people with disabilities are neither studying nor working, and the goal is to change that by 2030. The plan includes clearer rules, better support schemes, digital tools, extended transition help and new programmes to strengthen pathways from education into employment.
🐶 EU cracks down on puppy mills with stricter registration rules. Under Denmark’s EU Presidency, member states have agreed on the first-ever EU-wide rules for the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats. All owned pets will gradually need to be registered, helping stop illegal trade and shady breeding operations. The deal also bans hybrid breeding, limits extreme traits like flat noses and sets minimum welfare standards for kennels and shelters. Member states may still introduce even tougher rules.
Law proposals
⚖️ Government proposes major increase in sentences for violent crime. A new bill will double penalties for serious assault and significantly raise sentences for violent offenses, threats and attacks on public employees. The reform also tightens rules on harassment and sharing videos of officials, raises the earliest parole for life sentences from 12 to 20 years, and expands use of electronic ankle monitors. The package is described as the largest sentencing increase for violent crime in modern times.
Political scene
🏳️🌈 EU requires recognition of same-sex marriages across borders. A new EU Court ruling says all member states must acknowledge same-sex marriages legally performed in another EU country. The case began when two Polish citizens married in Berlin but were denied registration back home. The court found Poland’s refusal violated their free movement and family life rights. Countries don’t have to legalise same-sex marriage nationally, but they must recognize valid EU marriages without discrimination.
👉 Read more from our reporting team: Denmark - the tiny country with a giant impact on LGBTQ+ rights
🛡️ EU moves forward on child protection rules. Under Denmark’s EU Presidency, member states have backed a compromise plan to fight sexual abuse of children online after a more intrusive scanning proposal fell apart. The deal keeps voluntary scanning by tech companies and makes it permanent from 2026, instead of forcing platforms to scan private encrypted messages. Denmark pushed for stronger tools but says the compromise is essential to avoid leaving children unprotected.
📰 Social Democrats call for national study on media bias. Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) want researchers to map out possible political slants across all media, from DR and TV2 to private newspapers. The proposal follows DF’s (Nationalist Conservative) criticism that DR is too left-leaning, though both the culture minister and Socialdemokratiet say they don’t believe public broadcasters are biased. The aim is to give people a clearer picture of the media landscape, without questioning journalists’ personal politics.
💡Are you working in a low-skill job at the moment (cleaning, delivery, warehouse, etc.) and would like opportunities to upskill? Then complete this survey. If you have 10 minutes to talk with us, email projects@aalborgid.com. Why? We’re creating a recommendation for the policy makers to create upskilling opportunities.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💰 We reached record-high wealth. New figures show the average personal wealth passed 2.17 million DKK in 2024, driven by rising housing values, strong stock markets and growing pensions. But the median is far lower at 801,000 DKK, meaning extreme wealth at the top skews the average. Pension savings now make up a larger share of total wealth and are expected to grow further as people work longer and contribute more throughout their careers.
🎗️ New cancer plan focuses on life after treatment. The government, regions and municipalities have agreed on Kræftplan V, a major 600 million DKK annual boost to cancer care. With more than 400,000 people now living with or after cancer, the plan creates nationwide late-effects clinics, strengthens rehabilitation and palliative care, and expands support at home. It also brings more prevention, personalised treatment and new AI tools. The goal is better quality of life for patients during and long after their illness.
State of the markets
🏋️ Fitness prices rise in 2026. Fitness centers and several leisure activities must add VAT from January, making memberships more expensive. Only people over 30 will be affected, and the government plans small tax deductions for exercise, but prices will still increase. Industry groups warn that higher costs may lead to fewer members and even closures. Critics say Denmark could introduce lower VAT rates, as other EU countries do.
💼 Denmark’s richest families lose billions. A new list shows the combined wealth of the 100 richest families fell by 15 billion DKK this year, mainly because the top ten saw large drops. The Louis-Hansen family behind Coloplast lost the most, followed by major declines for the LEGO, Danfoss and Ecco families. Despite the fall, there is no crisis, since values reflect stock movements rather than cash. Bestseller’s Holch Povlsen family saw the biggest increase, gaining 27 billion DKK.
🏢 New law aims to help employees take over their workplace. The government has proposed a bill that lets business owners transfer their company to employees without paying tax on the handover. Instead, the tax obligation follows the business and its new employee-owners. Many companies face succession challenges as owners retire, especially in rural areas. The goal is to keep firms locally rooted, avoid closures or foreign buyouts, and strengthen entrepreneurship by making employee-owned models easier to finance.
🚀 New “regulatory sandboxes” help entrepreneurs get products to market faster. The government is launching special test zones where startups can bypass complicated rules and get tailored guidance while developing new solutions. The first sandboxes cover biosolutions and drone technology, with more areas to follow. The aim is to cut bureaucracy, speed up innovation and help small companies navigate regulations. Applications open in early 2026, and startups can already propose new sandbox areas to the authorities.
💡Join a Linkedin group dedicated for people interested in the usage of AI in education. The purpose is to share knowledge on the topic and participate in the development of AI tools for marginalized groups in society.
Entrepreneurship
🚀 New Innobooster rules for 2025. Innovation Fund Denmark has opened the Innobooster rounds, offering 35% co-financing for high-risk development projects in SMEs and start-ups. Companies can apply for 200,000–5 million DKK across themes like green tech, life science and digital technologies, with new dates, new budgets and tougher expectations for larger grants.
🌱 New residency turns ideas into impact ventures. Nordhus is launching a month-long Meaningful Entrepreneurship Residency in February 2026, inviting 14 early-stage founders from around the world to live, learn and build purpose-driven businesses in Denmark. The program blends folk-high-school community living with hands-on venture work, user testing, system mapping and mission-locked governance. Participants finish with a pilot, a clear story and a public showcase in Copenhagen.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🌙 Learning to live with the winter darkness. A light researcher from Aalborg University says many of us have forgotten how to enjoy natural darkness and argues we can benefit from it instead of fighting it. After studying life on the remote Danish island Anholt, she highlights four strengths of darkness: less stress, deeper social moments, unique nature experiences and sharper senses. She encourages simple night walks in moonlight to reconnect with the season.
👉 Read more from our reporting team: How to prevent SAD during the long Danish winter
🥗 We eat as little vegetarian food as ten years ago. A new survey shows most meat-free meals are quick beige dishes like rye bread, sandwiches, pasta, yogurt and pizza rather than green plates. Three out of four dinners still include meat, and fewer people say climate concerns influence their choices. Many also believe vegetarian meals lack proper nutrition. Half of all vegetarian dinners are cooked in under 15 minutes and often eaten alone.
🧯 New tool shows how much you should prep. The authorities have launched a “preparedness calculator” that tells you how much water, food, medicine and essentials your household should store for three days. The campaign aims to help people manage short emergencies on their own, but many still skip prepping. The tool even suggests adding some hygge items like tea or chocolate. The goal is to make the country more resilient if crises hit.
👉 Read more from our reporting team: We speak to the Minister for Crisis Preparedness
👶 Fewer newborns are being baptised. New data shows baptism rates continue to fall and 2026 may become the first year where less than half of newborns are baptized. Some parishes now visit new parents at home to congratulate them and explain baptism. Critics say it feels like doorstep selling. Around 55% of babies born in 2023 were baptized and both membership and baptisms in the church keep declining.
🎧 Children’s radio platform grows fast. Huligennem, the new state-funded audio universe for kids, has doubled its expected downloads with 61,000 users and over 2.5 million listens in its first year. The platform mixes fun shows with news made for children, but editors avoid topics that may worry young listeners, including an unpublished Gaza episode. Popular shows include animal stories and a series following girls in 6th grade.
👉 Read more from our reporting team: We speak to Huligennem journalist and international young activist Srishti Sabarinath
🎒 More young people take a third gap year. A new analysis shows that over 40% of students from the 2022 class are now on their third sabbatår, mainly due to school fatigue and uncertainty about future careers. Industry groups worry about delays, but many young people say the break helps them regain energy and clarity. The education minister sees it as a sign of resilience and notes there is no drop in how many eventually start a degree.
🥳 Aalborg creates a “cinnamon pole” to stop messy birthday traditions. 25th birthdays often mean being tied to a lamppost and covered in cinnamon, leaving streets dirty for days. A local housing association has solved the problem by installing a dedicated metal “cinnamon pole” in a courtyard for residents to use instead. The setup keeps the mess in one place and early reactions are positive, with hopes that more poles will appear across the city.
💡Did you take the Danish Citizenship test for 2025? If not yet, you can take a practice quiz here. See if you are ready to take the test for real :)
International Community HQ
New reporting - original, long form reporting from our dedicated team!
👉 In the week many internationals have been sitting their Danish citizenship exam, Ali Lewis talks to professional citizenship consultant Miriam Thompson, about what you need to know if you’re thinking of applying for citizenship. ✍️ Ali Lewis 👉 Read the article.
Also this week:
🍄Christian Green delves into the underground use of psychedelics in Denmark and why Alternativet want the government to take this more seriously.
👫Paulina Stachnik meets the man whose experience as the child of Bosnian refugees in Denmark inspired him to set up his own company supporting new internationals here.
🎄It’s Nisse season again, but have you ever wondered about the origins of Denmark’s mysterious Christmas elves? Sigga Hansen is here to explain!
New columns - original voices on Danish politics, society and culture
A crisp take: In Leading Change in the Land of Consensus, Florin Lungu argues that real change in Denmark requires adapting to its consensus-driven culture - building trust, cooperation and incremental wins rather than pushing change through top-down mandates. Read here.
In ‘Jeg Tog To Tog til en Borg: Episode Three: Viborg,’ John Dixon takes us on a stroll through Viborg, celebrating its historic charm, walkable old town and scenic surroundings, showing us why this “borg”-town is worth a visit. Read here.
Dear Julia appears twice a month in Last Week in Denmark. You can submit your own question anonymously here. Julia Jones is a psychologist who provides therapy for internationals.
Pratik Hariharan, in his column ‘From Blast Beats to Ballads,’ talks about how Denmark’s metal heart needs a new home. He argues that live-music venues are vital to keeping the spirit alive. Read here.
In “A Psychiatrist’s Story About Adaptation, Shame and the Quiet Brilliance of the Human Brain,” Florina Lungu reflects on mental health through personal and professional lenses, emphasizing resilience, understanding, and the human potential for healing. Read here.
Community Noticeboard
💉 Antidote Overdose-Response Mini-Training – Aalborg. Learn a life-saving skill in just five minutes at Aalborg Library. Instructor Sacha shows you how to recognize and stop an overdose using Antidote nasal spray, and you even get one to take home. No registration needed, just drop by anytime during the session. 📅 Mon Dec 1, 15:00–17:00 | 📍Aalborg Library, Rendsburggade 2 | 👉 More dates on the website
🍪 FUN DAY: Christmas Cookie Decorating for Kids – Aarhus. Bring your little ones for an afternoon of Christmas cards, cookie decorating, and singing at Roberta’s Society. Expect hygge, colours, and plenty of sugar-fuelled creativity. 📅 Sat Dec 6, 12:00–14:00 | 📍Roberta’s Society, Møllegade 3A, Aarhus | 👉 Free with registration
💰 Danish Tax System – Live Online Q&A. Opening your tax assessment shouldn’t feel like a horror movie. Join this friendly online session to understand your numbers, adjust your information, and ask all your tax questions without stress. 📅 Tue Dec 9, 16:30–18:00 | 📍Online | 👉 Free with registration
🍷 Finally Friday – December Edition – Aarhus. Looking to expand your social circle before the holidays? Join a special edition of Finally Friday at Roberta’s Society with Wine O’ Clock, soft drinks, and good company as we toast to a great 2025 and welcome 2026. 📅 Fri Dec 5, 16:00–18:00 | 📍Roberta’s Society, Møllegade 3A, Aarhus | 👉 Free with registration
🎄 Christmas @The Living Room – Esbjerg. A warm newcomer café for anyone settling in or looking to meet people in Esbjerg, this time with a cosy Christmas theme. Limited spots, so make sure to register by email. 📅 Thu Dec 4, 17:00 | 📍Esbjerg International House, Torvegade 23 | 👉 tilflytter@esbjerg.dk
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🛰️ “Denmark creates ‘night watch’ to monitor Donald Trump over Greenland fears” – Newsweek
💧 “Denmark, UNICEF, and Ghana launch 14 million dollar project to secure safe drinking water in cities” – UNICEF
🐄 “Are cows in Denmark dying because of the Bovaer feed additive?” – Euronews