Lolland is the new orange; Check your bank fees; Copenhagen-mania

Last Week in Denmark (15.06-22.06) Episode 24 Year 5

Jun 22, 2025

TOP 3 News

Could Lolland become the new mecca for internationals in Denmark?
Check your bank fees. You might save up to 50,000 DKK yearly if you switch banks.
Copenhagen has been ranked the best city to live in, worldwide.

Illustration made by Diana Bălașa

The Last Week in Denmark podcast unpacks the top three news stories of the week through the international lens of two co-hosts. It’s personal, it’s global, it’s Denmark-ish. Listen now: Spotify. Apple Podcasts. YouTube. Amazon Music.

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Editor HQ

State of Denmark - Lolland leads the way with three international voices on the ballot

In most municipalities across Denmark, the 2025 local elections will come and go with little or no international presence on the ballot. Some areas have only one international candidate. Many have none. But Lolland? Lolland has three. Two of them you can meet today, and the third one at a later date.

Meet Candice Progler-Thomsen and Summer Juul Andersen, two women who moved to Denmark, built their lives here, and are now stepping into politics with a shared mission: to make Lolland a place where internationals are not just welcome but part of the decision-making.

Candice is no stranger to the international experience. With a career spanning the US, Saudi Arabia, and Denmark, she’s worked in everything from talent attraction to onboarding and inclusion, especially during her time at Copenhagen Business School. But it was when she moved to Lolland that her work took root locally. In 2021, before the Femern project boom and before the opening of Lolland International School, she founded the International Community Lolland-Falster. It’s been the go-to platform for newcomers in the region ever since, offering everything from networking to cultural seminars. Her free workshops, like the one she hosted on Danish democracy and elections, are helping internationals understand their rights.

Summer’s journey started in Texas, passed through six countries, and landed in Lolland in 2019. With an MBA and 20+ years in construction, hospitality, HR, and finance, she now works on the Femern project as a reporting officer. She knows what it means to be part of a multicultural workforce, but also what it means to feel like an outsider in a new town. Her campaign is about bridging that gap. As chair of the International Community Lolland-Falster and member of Lolland’s Integration Council, she’s seen the growing pains of a region that’s changing fast. Her priorities? Faster support for newcomers, better collaboration between the kommune and businesses, and making sure international families have what they need to build a life here.

What’s striking is that neither of them waited for politics to invite them in. They built the infrastructure themselves (networks, programs, and platforms), and now they’re ready to help shape policy from inside the system.

Lolland’s situation isn’t just a local story. It’s a glimpse of what Denmark could be. The country is changing. And yet, representation in local politics still lags far behind. Too often, internationals are talked about but not talked with. These elections are a chance to change that dynamic.

So if you’re reading this from Copenhagen, Viborg, Esbjerg, or anywhere in between, take a cue from Lolland: support the internationals running in your kommune. Share their names. Ask questions. Offer help. And if there’s no one running who represents you, maybe it’s time to step up.

Politics in Denmark may look like a closed club, but on Lolland, the door is wide open.

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Danish Politics HQ

New laws

⚖️ No early pension for serious criminals. A broad political agreement will now strip early retirement benefits from those convicted of serious crimes, including gang members. The new rule applies for five years, after which individuals can reapply if eligible. The quarantine period for other public benefits is also extended to five years. Supporters say it’s unfair for people to claim welfare while committing organized crime. The government calls it a necessary step to protect trust in the welfare system.

🛠️ Work experience to count in vocational school admissions. From 2026, young people without the required grades will have a better shot at getting into vocational education if they have relevant work experience, like a part-time job. Practical experience will be added as a new evaluation point during admission interviews, alongside existing criteria like motivation, punctuality, and teamwork. The move aims to recognize real-world skills and boost access to training pathways.

Law proposals

🤝 Easier days ahead for volunteers? The government has received 51 recommendations aimed at cutting red tape for associations and volunteers. Suggestions include easing rules for school sleepovers during sports events, simplifying permits for selling drinks, and making it easier to open a bank account. Nearly half of volunteers say bureaucracy makes their work harder, and some even consider quitting because of it. A government proposal is expected after summer, with a promise to act.

Read our article: Why volunteering can be the secret to belonging in Denmark

Political scene

🌊 Toxic coastlines spark political showdown. A new investigation shows that coastal waters are twice as polluted with harmful chemicals as the Environment Ministry previously reported. The entire opposition has now summoned the minister to explain. Critics say this is a “full-blown environmental crisis” and demand immediate action. The minister admits poor oversight but insists reforms are underway.

🇩🇰 More political influence for Greenland and the Faroe Islands. At a press conference in Tórshavn, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that Greenland and the Faroe Islands will get more say in shaping the future of the kingdom. This includes greater roles in the Arctic Council and Nordic Council. Greenland’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, welcomed the move but stressed that equal partnership also requires more investment in Greenland, calling for action to build a stronger foundation for the relationship.

🚗 Calls grow to scrap car registration tax. FDM and Mobility Denmark want to replace the hefty car registration tax with a fairer system based on emissions and road use. Instead of paying thousands upfront when buying a car, drivers would face ongoing fees tied to CO₂ impact, energy use, and potentially a per-kilometer charge. While no major changes are expected immediately, pressure is mounting for a political agreement before summer.

Read in English the program for Denmark’s EU Presidency. Here are some highlights:

Strengthen EU defense cooperation (incl. PESCO and maritime security)
Support Ukraine’s path to EU membership
Simplify EU regulation to reduce burdens on businesses, especially SMEs
Secure access to critical raw materials and green energy
Promote EU digital sovereignty and telecom resilience
Increase EU vaccine production and crisis preparedness
Promote equal opportunities and social inclusion across the EU
Advance coherent migration and border management policies

Danish Economics HQ

Our money

🏛️ Government plans major cut to state bureaucracy. By 2030, administrative spending across the government is set to drop by at least 5.5 billion DKK. Ministries must find savings through digital tools, fewer tasks, and more efficient operations. They can't touch defense, justice, or emergency services. A new AI task force is part of the plan, but unions warn that vague targets without clear priorities could backfire. Business groups want even deeper cuts.

🏦 Banking fees still a mystery for many. A new study from Forbrugerrådet Tænk shows that the annual cost of banking can differ by as much as 50,000 DKK, depending on the bank and customer type. The problem? Fees are nearly impossible to compare, hidden across countless documents and formats. While the industry says most people don’t have complex banking needs, consumer advocates argue that even professionals struggle to decode the costs.

🏘️ Government launches full review of municipal funding system. The government has kicked off a major analysis of the municipal grants and equalization system, which redistributes around 25 billion DKK yearly to ensure fair public services across the country. The goal is to update the system to reflect today’s needs and realities, ensuring fairness while encouraging efficient local governance. The final report is due in 2027, paving the way for new rules starting in 2029 to keep the welfare system balanced nationwide.

State of the markets

🧠 Stress rising, especially among the young. Nearly one in five employees feels stressed, and over half blame their job. The trend is growing, especially among 25- to 34-year-olds, with women more affected than men. The government says stress is no longer just a personal issue; it’s a societal one. At the same time, more seniors choose to keep working past retirement age, but many still face age discrimination when looking for jobs, highlighting a growing divide in the labor market.

Read our article: Navigating mental health supports as an international

🚨 Fraud found in every kiosk during major inspection. All 23 kiosks inspected in a surprise raid across Copenhagen were caught breaking the law. Authorities found thousands of illegal nicotine products, untaxed alcohol, food with banned additives, counterfeit goods, untraceable sweets, and large sums of hidden cash. Three people working in kiosks were also receiving public benefits. The raid is part of a broader crackdown, and so far this year only two out of 69 kiosks inspected have been free of violations.

📱 Simple design tweaks could help youth break social media's grip. A new study from Denmark’s consumer authority shows that small design changes in how apps function can significantly reduce young people's time on social media. Many teens check their phones hourly during school, and some spend up to 20% of class time scrolling. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are deliberately built to keep users hooked, harming mental health and sleep.

Read our article: How one school banished phones and transformed students’ learning and wellbeing

Entrepreneurship

Are you a startup in need of funding to grow your business? This is for you. 👇

Iværksætterdanmark still has 3 million DKK left in soft funding.

🌱 Green startups in Region Zealand: 56 NextStep grants of 36,000 DKK

Deadline: Sept 1. Apply here

🦄 Other startups in Region Zealand: 53 Business Boost grants of 5,200 DKK

Deadline: June 30. Apply here

📍 Startups in the rest of Denmark: 144 Business Boost grants of 5,200 DKK

Deadline: June 30. Apply here

Danish Daily Life HQ

🏆 World’s most livable city? It’s the capital. Copenhagen has been ranked the best city to live in worldwide, according to the 2025 Global Liveability Index. The city scored a perfect 100 in stability, education, and infrastructure, pushing Vienna to second place after three years on top. Zurich, Melbourne, and Geneva round out the top five. While global stability scores dropped, Copenhagen stood out for its consistent quality of life.

Read our article: Why Hørsholm is Denmark’s hidden gem for quality of life

⭐ New stars in the kitchen. Six restaurants across the country have earned their first Michelin star, bringing the total number of one-star spots to 27. Among the newcomers are Alimentum in Aalborg, Pearl by Paul Proffitt near the German border, and several in the capital area, including Sushi Anaba. No new two- or three-star restaurants this year, but all existing stars were kept. Meanwhile, over in Tórshavn, the Faroese restaurant Paz made a grand entrance with two stars.

🚰 Water tasting becomes high culture. A global trend is turning mineral water into the new wine, with tastings, awards, and gourmet branding. At a recent event, judges sipped over 100 waters, from volcanic snowmelt in Peru to fog-collected drops in Tasmania. Experts say water really does taste different depending on minerals and origin, but while bottled water might seem “cleaner,” local tap water is often just as good, if not better. Still, concerns are growing about importing fancy water from afar, especially when clean drinking water isn’t a global guarantee.

💊 Odense tackles rising opioid use among youth. More young people are misusing opioids like tramadol and fentanyl, prompting Odense to propose a new action plan. One idea is to offer gift cards to encourage attendance at treatment sessions. Opioids are dangerously addictive and can be fatal, even in small doses. The plan focuses on education, early detection, and cross-sector collaboration.

📚 Controversial topics skipped in classrooms. Nearly one in four teachers say they’ve avoided certain subjects in class because they’re too controversial. Topics like the Muhammad cartoons, gender identity, and suicide are among those left out, often to protect student well-being or avoid conflict. Some teachers even fear for their safety. While politicians call for stronger support and freedom to teach, the teachers’ union urges against national rules and instead wants more local solutions.

🎓 AI allowed in class but banned at exams. Tools like ChatGPT are widely used during the school year but strictly banned during tests, leaving students frustrated. They argue exams should reflect modern learning, not pretend AI doesn’t exist. Some schools allow limited AI use, but most still treat it as cheating. Students and school leaders now call for clearer rules, tech-focused classes, and maybe even a dedicated subject on AI to prepare young people for the real world.

🧠 1 in 5 adults struggle with adaptive problem-solving. A new report shows that about 20% of people aged 16–65 in Denmark have low skills in adaptive problem-solving, the ability to adjust solutions when new information arises. While Denmark scores above the international average, countries like Sweden, Finland, and Norway perform slightly better. The gap is especially wide across age groups: nearly a third of 55–65-year-olds struggle, compared to less than 10% of 25–34-year-olds. The findings highlight the growing need for lifelong learning.

International Community HQ

💰 Citizenship application fee goes up. Starting June 18, the cost to apply for citizenship will increas from 4,000 to 6,000 DKK to reflect processing costs. For those who are denied and reapply, only the first resubmission will be free; after that, each attempt will cost 3,000 DKK. However, the 4,000 DKK fee remains unchanged for young people born or raised in the country, due to international obligations.

Preparing for the citizenship tests? Find out more about what’s involved in our article.

🚫 Speeding ticket blocks citizenship after 24 years in Denmark. Tim Griggs, a British citizen who has lived in the country for 24 years, was denied citizenship due to a speeding ticket; he drove 67 km/h in a 50 zone. The decision shocked him and his Danish family, especially after a 2.5-year wait for an answer. Because of the offense, he now faces a 4.5-year waiting period before he can reapply.

New reporting

Is it better to buy or rent in Denmark as an international? Daniel Sfita takes a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages, and what’s going to leave you better off in 10 years.

Last month, Danes were asked to vote on the country’s traditions, crafts and customs that should be on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The items with the most votes will be part of Denmark’s UNESCO application. We’ve been examining the significance of the list. First up: Daniel Schneider profiles the Dannebrog, Denmark’s national flag.

Did you know we have a growing LWID community on Linkedin? Read the feature by our reporter Kalpita Bhosale on audio innovator Pedro Costa: “You don’t have to be Danish to innovate in Denmark; all you need is to be sharp and persistent”.

Our “How to….in Denmark” guides are always popular, helping you navigate life here as an international. Over the past few months, we’ve seen huge traffic to our articles on your tax entitlements in 2025, navigating mental health supports, your property buying rights and all you need to know about securing a mortgage. Find our full series here. Don’t see what you need to know about? Get in touch with us at reporter@lwid.dk.

New columns

Laura Matheson is back with another installment of Tur-Retur! This week she’s looking at pub culture and why the most British of institutions just doesn’t exist in Denmark.

You might have missed….

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PopCultGang: rediscover your youth at this incredible retro toy and video game store in Aarhus!

Eleven museums around Denmark to visit during summer vacation!

Ten books, films and artists to help you get to know Denmark better!

Eight places to visit around Denmark, via DSB trains!

Did you know that Last Week in Denmark now offers the opportunity for sponsored content? If you have a business our readers should know about, let us write about it – support us while we help you! Get in touch with us here. And rest assured we will never put up paywalls, charge you monthly subscriptions, or fill the newsletter with adverts!

If you have a news or features article you think we should write about, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at reporter@lwid.dk

Announcement board

Free event in Copenhagen on Wednesday, June 25 with business development specialist Oksana Didyk on mastering stakeholder relationships as an entrepreneur or job seeker. Sign up here.

International media about Denmark

Viking burial site discovered north of Aarhus (The Guardian UK)