What did we learn this week?
We now have more electric cars than diesel cars, with over 700k EVs on the road.
House prices are expected to rise 8.6% in 2026.
Blue-light glasses don’t prevent screen-related eye strain; taking regular breaks and blinking more is more useful.
Letter from the editor
The series of “Welcome September” events is almost over for 2026, and Last Week in Denmark has been to more fairs than ever before. Aalborg, Kolding, Herning, Sønderborg, Odense, and, of course, International Citizen Days in Copenhagen.
A feat that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our volunteers who were willing to travel across the country to represent us. I am very grateful, as more people got to hear about our volunteer-based media project. We want to empower people with information, especially internationals, but for that to happen, we need to reach the people :), and that can only happen with your contribution.
I truly hope that “Welcome September” will continue, as it’s become a tradition for me. I also hope that more places around Denmark will join in dedicating a special month to internationals. And finally, I hope many more internationals will attend these events to send the signal to the authorities that they are wanted.
In the end, I just want to say welcome to the new subscribers in the LWID family.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
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 now so you don’t miss it.
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Attention Aarhus! Friday evening at 17, October 2, we are coming with the amazing game show night “Guardian of Europe” to your city. As usual, we are looking for a city champion that can go home with 2500 DKK. Sign up here.
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Image(s) of the Week
📸See the year’s best bird photos.
Danish Politics HQ
Law proposals
🦷 The government has sent its first proposal for free dental care into consultation, starting with vulnerable groups from January 1, 2027. It would remove patient payments for people in omsorgstandpleje (care dentistry), specialtandpleje (special-needs dentistry), and certain patients covered by Section 166 of the Health Act. The government also expects people receiving kontanthjælp (cash assistance) and similarly low-income residents to receive free dental care from January, while disability pensioners are planned to follow from July 2027. The broader goal is free dental care for everyone by 2035, but the model has not yet been decided and will be developed by an expert commission.
⚖️ A majority in Parliament will vote to investigate whether Denmark should introduce specialized administrative courts. These courts would allow citizens to challenge decisions made by public authorities. The proposal does not create a new court yet; instead, it would require the government to establish an independent expert group to examine possible models and how such courts would work alongside the existing courts. The group would complete its work by the end of 2027.
Political scene
🇬🇱 Greenland, Denmark, and the US have signed a new security agreement that expands the American military presence in Greenland while recognizing Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. The US will be allowed to establish new defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig and expand activities at the existing Pituffik Space Base. The agreement also opens the door to Greenland playing a role in the planned US “Golden Dome” missile-defense system, although its exact form has not yet been decided. If Greenland eventually becomes independent, the agreement is intended to continue, with Greenland remaining in NATO and taking over the relevant obligations. The deal also restricts security-sensitive investments from countries outside NATO and the EU, a provision aimed at limiting hostile foreign influence. The agreement has no fixed end date and can only be changed by mutual consent.
🇷🇺 Danish intelligence expects Russia to intensify its “hybrid war” against NATO in the coming months. Hybrid warfare includes sabotage, cyberattacks, espionage, and disinformation below the level of conventional war. FE (Danish Defense Intelligence Service) says the risk of a limited Russian military attack on a NATO country is low but increasing, while a full-scale attack remains unlikely. PET (Danish Security and Intelligence Service) says it is already seeing Russian planning and preparations for sabotage in Denmark, mainly targeting the defense sector and companies linked to military support for Ukraine. Denmark has also raised the threat from destructive cyberattacks from “medium” to “high,” meaning authorities now consider it likely that Russia will attempt such attacks.
🏫 The government wants to strengthen teachers’ authority after the lowest-ever PISA results in reading, mathematics, and science. Education Minister Magnus Heunicke said Denmark’s inclusion policy has not worked as intended and that some classes may need more adults to support both learning and students with additional needs. The government is also preparing legislation that would give schools clearer powers to intervene when serious disruption makes teaching impossible, including physically removing a student. Parents are also being urged to back teachers’ authority rather than routinely challenging them through Aula (the digital school-parent communication platform).
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🚗 There are fewer than two million petrol and diesel cars on the road. In September, there were about 1.49 million petrol cars and 513,000 diesel cars, 575,000 fewer than five years ago. Denmark also has more than 700,000 electric cars. This accounts for nearly one in four passenger cars, and EVs now outnumber diesel cars. Hybrids are not included in the count. The rapid shift is increasing pressure to rethink how cars should be taxed in the future.
👓 Blue-light glasses probably won’t protect your eyes from screens or prevent eye strain. Experts say tired or dry eyes are more often caused by staring at a screen for too long and blinking less. Instead, try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something at least six meters away for 20 seconds. Blue light can still affect sleep, so reducing screen use before bedtime may also help.
🎶 A peace initiative started in Ebeltoft has grown into a global singing movement spanning six continents. Sing for Unity brought choirs and communities together on September 20, singing at 14:00 in their own time zones to promote peace and togetherness. The project began in 2025 with Vibe Bregendahl and the Ebeltoft-based choir Female Singers. This year, the organizers’ website lists 142 events in 19 countries.
🎬 A new annual awards ceremony celebrating Nordic film and television has launched in Helsinki. The first Freyas, Nordic Film & TV Awards, were held on September 22, bringing together talent from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Danish actress Trine Dyrholm won an acting award for The Danish Woman, which was also named Outstanding Nordic Series. The awards are designed to give Nordic productions more international visibility and connect the region’s film industry with global partners. The next Freyas ceremony will be held in Copenhagen in 2027.
🎗️ Denmark has introduced new national guidelines to improve help for people living with long-term effects after cancer. Around 400,000 people live with or are in remission from cancer, and up to 70% experience problems such as chronic pain, severe fatigue, anxiety, depression, or difficulty returning to work. The new model aims to make support more consistent across the country: milder cases may be handled by a GP, while more complex problems can be referred to specialized regional clinics.
🐆 Copenhagen Zoo has welcomed a rare Amur leopard cub, one of the world’s most endangered big cats. Only around 110 Amur leopards are estimated to live in the wild, making each birth important for the international breeding program. Visitors will likely have to wait around two months before there is a chance to see the cub.
🍷 Should we stop automatically giving wine as a gift? A new debate is questioning how deeply alcohol is built into Danish social life. Author Özlem Cekic is encouraging people to consider alternatives such as flowers, books, or chocolate. A recent survey for Blue Cross found that 63% of the people in Denmark feel there is some expectation to drink alcohol in social situations, while health authorities estimate that around half a million people have moderate to severe alcohol problems.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💰 The economy is expected to grow by 4% in 2026, but that does not mean households are becoming 4% richer. Danmarks Nationalbank says much of the growth comes from an exceptional rise in Danish pharmaceutical production abroad, which counts toward GDP even though the effect on income and purchasing power at home is much smaller. Outside this effect, underlying growth looks closer to 1–2%, according to economists. Inflation is expected at 1.7% this year, while consumer confidence remains negative at -13.7, showing that many households still feel cautious about their finances.
🥦 365discount is cutting the price of fruit and vegetables by 20% every Sunday from September 27 to November 29. The discount is designed to mimic removing Denmark’s 25% VAT from the shelf price, but this is a Coop campaign, not an actual tax change. The government has pledged to eventually remove VAT on fruit and vegetables and halve it on other food, but the permanent changes have not yet taken effect.
State of the markets
✈️ Flying could become more expensive this autumn and winter as rising jet-fuel prices put pressure on airlines. SAS expects its fuel bill to be around DKK 2.2 billion higher than planned, about 30% above expectations. Fuel prices have risen sharply amid the disruption to Middle East energy supplies. Analysts say airlines with less protection from fuel-price increases may respond with higher ticket prices or fewer departures, meaning travelers in Denmark could face more expensive flights in the coming months.
🏠 House prices are now expected to rise 8.6% in 2026, significantly more than Nationalbanken predicted this spring. The central bank expects growth to slow to 4.6% in 2027 and 2.9% in 2028, partly as housing taxes rise and price momentum cools. One reason prices are climbing is that new housing construction remains limited while demand is strong. Copenhagen’s apartment market has seen particularly sharp increases, although activity has started to ease. Nationalbanken warns that banks should keep lending standards strict rather than making it easier to borrow in response to high prices.
🔋 The overloaded electricity grid is slowing the rollout of large batteries that could help stabilize power prices and store renewable energy. Energinet (Denmark’s national electricity transmission operator) paused new large grid connections in March, including some battery projects, because of capacity shortages. Batteries can help by storing cheap electricity and releasing it when demand is higher, but they can also worsen congestion if used at the wrong time. Energinet expects to resume processing larger connection applications later this autumn under a new prioritization system.
🇧🇷 Denmark and Brazil have signed a five-year strategic partnership covering trade, green energy, health, digitalization, and science. The agreement aims to create stronger business links, particularly in renewable energy, maritime industries, life sciences, agriculture, and sustainable fuels. It also encourages more cultural and scientific exchanges between the two countries. For Brazilians living in Denmark, growing cooperation creates opportunities for people with Brazilian networks or market knowledge.
Entrepreneurship
🌍 SMEs can now apply for up to DKK 150,000 for advice for entering a new export market. The grant covers 50% of eligible consultancy costs, including help with sales channels and go-to-market strategy. Applicants must have a CVR number, at least two full-time-equivalent employees, and at least one completed annual account. The company must also be targeting a market where it does not already have a physical presence. Applications are open until October 5 at 23:55, and funding is competitive rather than first-come, first-served.
🛰️ If you work with AI, drones, cybersecurity, robotics, satellites, secure communications, or advanced manufacturing, Denmark’s growing defense-tech sector may be worth watching. EIFO and Danica are investing DKK 875 million in a new European defense-tech fund, which will open its Nordic headquarters in Copenhagen in 2027. The fund targets technologies with both military and civilian uses and plans investments in 25 companies.
International Community HQ
Community Noticeboard
Debut Concert – Mario Romero Madrid, saxophone | Monday Sep 28, 19:30 | Musikhuset Aarhus, Symfonisk Sal | Free | Find out more here
Third Culture Kids | Monday Sep 28, 17:00–19:30 | Esbjerg International School | Free, limited spots | Learn how growing up across cultures can shape identity and what the latest research tells us. Read more here
International Café by Welcome Ambassadors | Tuesday Sep 29, 17:00–19:00 | Ørestad Library, Copenhagen | Free | Meet internationals and Danes over conversation, snacks, and a light-hearted quiz about Copenhagen and life in Denmark. Registration required.
Newcomers Walk Ribe | Tuesday Sep 29, 17:00–18:30 | Sct. Peders Gade 16, 6760 Ribe | Free | A guided walk for newcomers to discover Ribe and learn about the history of Denmark’s oldest town. Read more here
Campus Fair Kolding | Wednesday 30 Sep, 16:00–19:00 | IBA Business Academy Kolding, Havneparken 1 | Free | You can meet local associations and cultural groups and learn about opportunities on the way to employment. The fair itself does not require registration.
Welcome Trip with the Mayor – Vejle | Sunday 4 Oct, 10:00–14:30 | Stævnen 53, 7100 Vejle | Free | Newcomers to Vejle Municipality can join a bus tour around the area, with lunch included and the mayor acting as guide. Registration required.
The Parents We’re Becoming | Wednesday, October 7 (and more) | 25Hours Hotel Indre By, Copenhagen | A ParentLab Salon: baby-friendly, adult-focused conversations and community in English. 🔗 Sign up
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🇬🇱 “Trump, Greenland, Denmark sign deal in bid to end Arctic standoff” – Reuters
🧭 “Understanding Trump’s deal with Denmark — and what it means for Greenland’s sovereignty” – TIME
📈 “U.S.-listed Greenland stocks surge after Trump announces security deal with Denmark” – CNBC
🇷🇺 “Kremlin says Greenland deal with US and Denmark is a matter for those involved” – Reuters
🛡️ “Russia could attack a NATO country within months, Danish intelligence warns” – Sky News
🏃 “World Road Running Championships: Agnes Ngetich and Andreas Almgren rule the half marathon in Copenhagen” – World Athletics
free dental care? some more reason to move to Denmark!