Let’s increase international voter presence by 10%
Last Week in Denmark (26.10-02.11) Episode 38 Year 5
TOP 3 News
🗳️ Let’s boost international voter turnout – We’re urging internationals to vote in the November 18 elections.
🧍 Become a polling station helper – Municipalities hiring paid assistants to hand out ballots and count votes.
🎸 Tax breaks for music and fitness lessons – You can soon deduct costs for music classes and sports activities.
Illustration by Diana Bălașa
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Are you prepared to vote for the local and regional elections? Are you considering running next time? Listen to the five episodes of #VOTEHOME season 2 to learn everything there is to know.
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 - How to vote for the local and regional elections
This November, nearly half a million people living in Denmark can vote in the local and regional elections although they are not Danish citizens. That’s about 10% of all voters, the highest share ever. EU citizens, Norwegians, Icelanders, Brits, and anyone else who has lived here for at least four years can take part. Yet fewer than one in three actually does.
At the 2021 elections, turnout among foreign citizens was under 30%, compared to 72% among Danes. For the two largest groups, (Poles and Romanians), participation was just 13% and 11%. Researchers warn that this gap is pulling down overall turnout and shows that “democratic integration” is failing. In simple terms, too many residents are part of society but not part of democracy.
At Last Week in Denmark, we would really like to see that percentage increase. Let’s aim for a 5-10% more. We can definitely do it. If each of us encourages at least five people to vote, that is nearly a third of all the internationals in Denmark. Imagine the positive reaction in the Danish media.
How to vote?
Early (before November 14): Google “Brevstemme + the name of your municipality” to find where you can vote early. Most likely, it will be your local library. Bring your yellow card (sundhedskort). At the voting place, you will receive two letters (one blue for local elections and one yellow for regional elections) and inside, you will write the name of the candidate you support. The people at the voting section should be able to clearly explain the process.
Voting Day (November 18): If you know you can vote on November 18, then you can just wait for your “valgkort” (election card) to reach your mailbox (it should arrive this week) and go to the address indicated on it. If it doesn’t arrive or it gets lost, just go to the nearest school on that day and get a new one. When you go to vote, you take your yellow card and the valgkort. At the polling place, you will receive two long ballots with the candidates’ names, and you vote by marking an X on each side of the name.
If you want to know more about why you should vote, what the two levels of government are about , and maybe what to consider when voting, then listen to the five episodes of #VOTEHOME. If you prefer to learn about the elections in small bites, check out the AMIS Facebook, Linkedin and Instagram. Plus, meet the international candidates at the LWID website.
🗳️ Moving before election day? Here’s what to know: If you move within your municipality after Nov 3, you must still vote at your old polling station, as listed on your voting card. If you move to a new municipality after Nov 11, new rules let you keep your voting rights, but you must vote in your previous municipality. You can also vote early (brevstemme) anywhere in Denmark until Friday, Nov 14, usually between 9:00 and 16:00. Check your local municipality’s website for details.
🗳️ Be part of democracy and get paid for it! Municipalities across the country are looking for people to help at local polling stations during the upcoming elections, and internationals can join too! As a valgtilforordnet (election assistant), you’ll help hand out ballots, check voter lists, and count votes. You get a small payment (around 1,300 DKK for the day) and free meals. It’s a great way to meet people, learn how local democracy works, and contribute to your community. Ask your municipality how to sign up!
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🇷🇴 Join our Romanian Edition Team! Time has come for our second-largest language edition to take the next step. The Last Week in Denmark – Romanian Edition, aka “Gazeta Danemarcei,” reaches more than a quarter of all Romanians living in Denmark and has been running strong for three years. Now, we’re looking for a new editor to take it forward. If you’re a Romanian speaker with a background in journalism, publications, or content creation, this is your chance to prove what you can do. The commitment is about six hours a week, volunteer-based, and full of purpose. Apply by sending an e-mail to info@lwid.dk.
Want to win 2,500 DKK and have an amazing evening with your friends? Join our game show evening events in Aarhus (November 6) and Esbjerg (November 8), where you can win cool prizes and have a fun time.
Ready to dress-up and network with other people? Join our networking events in Copenhagen (November 11), Aalborg (November 14) and Aarhus (November 15). You can meet the mayor, local artists, local candidates and other interesting people.
Did you know you can read Last Week in Denmark in eight other languages?
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🐦 Soon, the Danish tax authority will allow taxpayers to deduct the cost of fitness classes, so get ready for even more bragging from that annoying guy in the office who won’t shut up about Crossfit.(Ryan)
Danish Politics HQ
New laws
🧒 New action plan to stop violence against children. The government has launched a 350 million DKK plan called Safe Childhood with 18 new initiatives to fight domestic and child abuse. It expands forensic screenings, strengthens children’s houses, and allows medical exams without parental consent. The plan also adds tougher penalties, improves data sharing between authorities, and offers early help for both victims and offenders to break cycles of violence in families.
🏭 Eleven new industrial parks across the country. The government and several parties have agreed to create 11 state-designated industrial parks in cities like Aalborg, Esbjerg, Skive, and Kalundborg, to attract investment and speed up green production projects. The parks will focus on areas such as CO₂ capture, hydrogen, maritime industries, and life science. It aims to create jobs and strengthen Denmark’s position as a green manufacturing hub.
Political scene
💬 Denmark drops EU “chat control” plan. The Danish EU Presidency has withdrawn its proposal to force tech companies to scan private messages for child abuse material after strong opposition from Germany. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said scanning will remain voluntary, and warns that Europe risks losing a key tool against child exploitation when current rules expire in 2026. Critics called the plan mass surveillance that would violate basic freedoms.
🏛️ Party switching stirs local politics. More than 300 local council members across Denmark have changed parties since the last election, twice as many as in previous terms. On Bornholm alone, nearly a third of the council switched sides, reshaping the political map without a single new vote. Some mayors call it a democratic problem, saying voters are cheated when elected officials leave their parties.
📊 Citizens give their verdict on local governments. A new survey shows 41% of people are satisfied with how their municipality has been run since the last election, while 19% are unhappy. Researcher Roger Buch says local councils perform better than their reputation suggests, as most people are happy with their own services but influenced by negative media stories. Dissatisfaction is highest in places hit by scandals, such as Frederikshavn, Odsherred, and Randers, while wealthier municipalities score better.
👉Read our article: Why you should vote in a local election.
🚢 Denmark joins Croatia in new EU port project. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen visited Rijeka to open Rijeka Gateway, a major container terminal led by Maersk’s APM Terminals and Croatia’s ENNA Group. The project aims to boost Europe’s supply chain security and position Croatia as a key maritime hub for the Balkans. When fully ready, the terminal will handle up to one million containers.
💡Help us shape better opportunities for young migrant workers. Aalborg Institute for Development just launched the Career Compass project to understand how young internationals in Denmark (aged 16–30) access jobs, education, and career growth. If you work in a low-skilled or entry-level job, your experience can make a real difference. It only takes 5 minutes to share your story and it’s fully anonymous. 👉 [Take the survey here] It is in multiple languages.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💪 Tax break for fitness and music lessons. Starting January 2026, adults over 30 will be able to deduct up to 1,750 DKK a year for activities like gym classes, yoga, dance, or private music lessons. The move offsets new EU rules that add VAT to group lessons. Classes for children and youth up to age 29 remain VAT-free, so they won’t get pricier.
💊 Fixed-price medicine plan for low-income residents. The government will invest 21.5 million DKK in a new digital subscription system that lets people pay a steady monthly amount for prescription medicine instead of facing big payment spikes. The plan helps those who skip medication due to cost and replaces the current manual system with a simpler, nationwide, more predictable one.
🏘️ Løkke admits welfare reform risks more homelessness. The government’s new cash benefit reform lowers payments for thousands, and even Moderaterne’s (Social Liberals) leader Lars Løkke Rasmussen now warns it could push vulnerable citizens onto the streets. He proposes an emergency rent subsidy allowing municipalities to support those at risk while waiting for cheaper public housing to be built.
🍲 High food prices for the elderly. In 62 municipalities, nursing home residents pay the maximum allowed price for meals; over 4,100 DKK per month. Ældre Sagen warns that some seniors may skip the communal meal plan due to cost, risking malnutrition. A few towns keep prices lower by prioritizing local cooking, while others argue flexibility would only raise costs. The group urges national action to make elderly meals more affordable.
State of the markets
🏦 Workers’ bank era ends. Arbejdernes Landsbank, founded in 1919 by trade unions to serve ordinary workers, plans to merge with Sydbank and Vestjysk Bank. The new AL Sydbank will be Denmark’s fifth-largest bank, but private shareholders will hold the majority, ending over a century of union control. Supporters call it a necessary step for survival in a costly banking world; critics see it as selling off a piece of labor history.
💶 ECB freezes rates again. While the US cut interest rates this week, the European Central Bank kept its key rate steady at 2%, citing stable but still high inflation. Analysts say the move was expected but disappointing for homeowners hoping for cheaper loans. Denmark’s Nationalbank is likely to follow suit, meaning no relief yet for those with flexible-rate mortgages, though a small cut before New Year’s is still possible.
💡Are you aware of what it means to be a European Union Citizen? Join an AMIS online free course on European Citizenship, rights and opportunities to learn more about what paths it opens for you. Sign up here.
Entrepreneurship
Sign up for the free course on “Business Economics for Entrepreneurs” starting on November 11. Here.
Business Boost: Want to strengthen your business model and boost your growth? Receive a 5,200 DKK grant for professional advisory services. There are 30 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up here.
NextStep: Already have a business model and ready to move forward as an entrepreneur? Apply for 24,000 DKK in advisory support. 25 spots are available for the strongest applicants. Sign up here.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🤖 Over 10,000 students test AI in classrooms. Seventy-five high schools are part of a national pilot exploring how to use generative AI tools like chatbots in teaching and grading. The program will test AI-assisted writing, new grading models, and ways to help students use technology critically rather than for cheating. Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye says the goal is to make AI a thoughtful learning tool, not a shortcut.
🚊 Copenhagen’s new light rail takes off. After six years of construction, hundreds lined up in Ishøj to ride the first train on the new Greater Copenhagen Light Rail. The line connects suburbs from Ishøj to Rødovre Nord, easing cross-city travel and avoiding traffic jams along Ring 3. The rest of the route to Lundtofte will open in summer 2026.
💻 Microsoft outage exposes Denmark’s tech dependence. A global crash of Microsoft’s Azure platform knocked out sites like DSB, Skat, and Copenhagen Airport for eight hours. Experts warn that 95% of institutions rely on Microsoft’s cloud, leaving the country vulnerable when systems fail. IT professor Carsten Schürmann says Denmark needs backup plans and more diverse suppliers to avoid “putting all its digital eggs in one American basket.”
🦴 Over 50 medieval skeletons found in Aarhus. Archaeologists uncovered a 900-year-old burial ground while digging near Skt. Olufs Gade, once home to a medieval church. The well-preserved remains offer a rare insight into early Christian life in the city. Researchers from Moesgaard Museum will now study the bones for DNA links to modern Aarhusians.
🌡️ 97% of women experience peri-menopause symptoms. A new Danish study finds nearly all women face mild to severe symptoms like hot flashes and sleep problems, far more than previously thought. Researchers say symptoms often begin years before the final period, during perimenopause. The study urges more awareness and better support, as many women report feeling misunderstood by doctors and hiding their struggles at work.
🚶 One long walk beats many short ones. A new British study shows that people who take one longer daily walk live longer and have fewer heart problems than those taking several short ones, even if they walk less overall. Danish heart experts call it a simple and realistic way to boost health, a small lifestyle change that lasts. So if you can, stretch that lunch walk a bit longer. Your heart will thank you.
💡Always check for building permits before you build or buy. This case shows how vital it is to verify that all parts of a property comply with planning laws. Even long-standing structures can face demolition if they lack proper approval. Getting the right permits and understanding protected zones can save legal costs and the risk of losing what you’ve built.
International Community HQ
New reporting - original, long form reporting from our dedicated team!
👉 We meet more internationals standing for election! This week, Paulina Stachnik meets Iulian Lucău, local election candidate in Odense Municipality. ✍️ Paulina Stachnik 👉Read the article.
🫵 Get much more elections coverage from our team, including many more interviews and guides to political parties and voting at our Elections 2025 mini site!
Also this week:
👉 “Spiritual Mobilization” has been in the news a lot recently. But what exactly is it and why is it so important to the government? Mark Søderberg finds out.
👉 Denmark is famous for its Viking past. Sudaay Tat Haznedar checks out the five essential Viking forts to visit.
👉 In-person Danish classes not working for you but still want to learn? Sigga Hansen, founder of online school Lingua Danica, explains their approach.
You can also join our LWID/Lingua Danica webinar on learning Danish this Monday November 3 at 6pm. SIGN UP HERE
New columns - original voices on Danish politics, society and culture
Pratik brings an international pulse to Denmark’s cultural scene with “Kick the Winter with the Blues,” blending music, film, and cross-cultural rhythm. Read it here.
Stephanie Lund explores the endearing oddities of everyday Danish life in “5 Unexpected (and Lovable) Danish Quirks.” Read it here.
New columnist, Julia Jones, opens her advice column “Dear Julia: Ask a Psychologist About Life in Denmark,” offering thoughtful insights into the international experience through a psychologist’s lens. Check it out here and don’t forget to send in your anonymous questions via the Google Form.
New author Asbjørn Reissmann delivers a compelling reflection on how a chance event shaped modern Danish law in “The Most Impactful Coincidence in Danish Law.” Read it here.
Community Noticeboard
🇪🇺 Denmark’s EU Presidency: What’s Next for Europe? Free public talk on Denmark’s upcoming EU presidency, the future of the Union, and what it means for internationals living in Denmark. Speakers include Anna Vlasiuk Nibe (SDU) and Rasmus Nørlem Sørensen (UN Association DK). 📅 Tue Nov 4, 17:00–19:00 | 📍Odense Main Library | 👉 [Sign up here]
💡 Free business advice in Vejle. Thinking of starting your own business or already running one? Get free legal, financial, and patent advice at StartUp Vejle’s Open Counselling, open to all entrepreneurs in the municipality. 📅 Tue Nov 18, 09:00–11:00 | 📍Spinderihallerne Café, Spinderigade 11E, Vejle | 👉 [Sign up here]
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🚧 “Sweden and Denmark to legalise virtual fencing — what is it and is it safe?” – Euronews
🌿 “Denmark’s green agenda stumbles amid EU budget backlash” – Euractiv
🛡️ “Denmark drops plans to buy Israeli Barak MX air defense system” – The Defense Post
💶 “Denmark and Sweden should join the eurozone, says Finnish central bank governor” – Central Banking
🐄 “Europe lost its drive for humane animal transport. Denmark hasn’t.” – Politico Europe
⚔️ “Mess with Denmark at your peril, Russia learning” – The London Free Press