Last Week in Denmark

<p><b>Curious about what’s really happening in Denmark — and how it affects the life of internationals living here?</b> Each week, two hosts from the LWID community talk through the top news stories and developments — in English — sharing personal insights and international perspectives. It’s a clear and accessible conversation about life in Denmark, made for people who live here but didn’t grow up here. <em>Last Week In Denmark is a volunteer-driven media project with a simple mission: to empower people through information.</em></p><p><br /></p><p>With a mix of short summaries, thoughtful discussion, and context you can actually use, we cover everything from housing and healthcare to politics. Whether you're new to Denmark or have been here for years, this is your go-to bite-sized update on what’s happening — and why it matters to you. Thank you for helping us grow.</p>

Failing Danish Classes, Dental Costs, December Stress: LWID S4E19

Send us a text Language Lessons, Teeth, and Tired Families in Denmark. Denmark is ending the year under pressure. In this season finale, Katie and Kalpita, internationals living in Denmark, look at why adult Danish language classes are failing learners, how a proposed free dental check is fueling inequality, and why children say December leaves parents stressed and distracted. From integration and healthcare costs to family life and expectations, the conversation links national de...

12-17
37:40

Denmark’s Police Reform, Health Concerns and the Future of Local Communities: LWID S4E18

Send us a text Denmark’s Police Boost, Health Decline & Community Shift: Kalpita and Golda unpack a week where Denmark moves forward and slips back at the same time. Crime is falling and vulnerable neighborhoods are improving, yet consumer confidence has crashed and the new Nordic health report highlights a worrying drop in wellbeing across Denmark. They also break down Denmark’s biggest police expansion in decades and what families can expect in 2026 as wages rise and costs shift. With t...

12-10
26:21

Danish Darkness, LGBT Marriage Rights and the Weird Cinnamon Tradition: LWID S4E17

Send us a text Danish Winter Gloom, LGBT News and Denmark’s Spiciest Tradition . This week, Fionn and Katie, two internationals making sense of life in Denmark, talk about the reality of the Danish winter darkness and how to cope with it, what the EU’s new same sex marriage ruling means in practice, and the surprising birthday custom that leaves 25 year olds covered in cinnamon. They also look at why Aalborg has built a dedicated “cinnamon pole” and uncover a few more unexpected Danish ...

12-03
32:58

Denmark’s Surprising Election Results LWID S4E16

Send us a text Local vote shakes Denmark's political map. This week, Fionn and Golda, two internationals living in Denmark, break down a wild week in Danish local elections, from the collapse of the Social Democrats to surprise mayoral twists and a record rise in women leaders. They also look at what the results mean for internationals and why Denmark’s political landscape is entering a new phase of change. Topics: (02:45) Danish election results (04:32) Collapse of Danish Social Democr...

11-26
29:44

Billion kroner boost for SMEs, Check Preliminary Tax, Tougher Rules for Airbnb Rentals in Denmark LWID S4E15

Send us a text Billions, tax traps and stricter rentals . This week Katie and Kalpita dig into fresh SME funding, tax checks and Denmark’s new clampdown on short term rentals. This week's episode explores how a new billion kroner fund aims to lift small and medium-sized businesses through digital and green upgrades, questions remain about who will actually benefit. SKAT has opened preliminary tax checks for 2026, a simple step that can save you from a nasty bill next spring. And the gov...

11-19
28:56

DF remigration plan, Rising obesity rates in Denmark, Dinner parties fade, LWID S4E14

Send us a text Deportations, obesity, and dinner party decline. This week, Dom and Fionn, internationals living in Denmark, explore how Denmark debates who belongs, and how we live together. From the Danish People’s Party’s proposal to deport up to 100,000 internationals, to a warning that obesity may surge across municipalities, and a new study showing social life is moving out of the home, these stories reveal deeper questions about inclusion, inequality, and connection in Danish society.&n...

11-12
36:06

Voting Rights for Internationals, Tax Perks or Election Tricks, and Denmark’s Aging Crisis: LWID S4E13

Send us a text Voting rights, tax breaks, and tough truths. This week, Katie and Kalpita dive into Denmark’s local elections, revealing what internationals need to know before casting their votes. This week’s episode explores how democracy and welfare intersect in Denmark — from mobilizing international voters and new tax breaks to deeper concerns about inequality, digital privacy, and social care. With municipal elections on November 18, the hosts unpack how internationals can confirm eligib...

11-05
30:41

Denmark’s International Party Movement, Budget 2026 Highlights, Students Learn Mental Health: LWID S4E12

Send us a text We're starting early to build a better Denmark. This week, Dom and Fionn explore Billund’s new International Party, Denmark’s 2026 Finance Plan, and a pilot program adding mental health to school curriculums. From sugar tax cuts to climate investments and classroom wellbeing, they unpack how these changes reflect a Denmark that’s slowly becoming more inclusive—socially, politically, and emotionally. Listen to the full episode to learn how internationals, families, and students ...

10-29
39:03

Raising Denmark’s Share Account Limit, Reviewing International Student Permits, More Women Candidates in Politics: LWID S4E11

Send us a text Change is taking root in Denmark. Two long term international living in Denmark, Kalpita and Narcis, tackle three big stories in this conversation: the proposal to raise Denmark’s share account limit, the review of Bangladeshi and Nepali student permits, and the rise of women and internationals in local elections. Each topic asks what kind of Denmark we’re investing in, who gets to belong, and how change really happens. Topics: (01:05) Raising Denmark’s Share Account Limi...

10-22
27:57

Scrapping Denmark’s Integration Council, Banning Social Media, Protecting Endangered Species: LWID S4E10

Send us a text Have you ever wondered if feeling at home in Denmark is up to you—or the system? Fionn and Kalpita, internationals living in Denmark, unpack Denmark’s decision to scrap the National Integration Council, the government’s plan to ban social media for under-15s, and the alarming new report showing that nearly half of Denmark’s species are at risk. Topics: (04:00) Scrapping Denmark’s Integration Council (13:46) Banning Social Media (22:40) Protecting Endangered Species ...

10-15
36:57

School Phone Ban, Hate Crime Surge, and How to Handle Denmark’s Rat Season: LWID S4E9

Send us a text Phones, prejudice, and pests — Denmark’s been busy this week. A new nationwide phone ban in schools sparks debate about children’s focus and well-being, while hate crimes are on the rise, raising questions about safety and inclusion. Dom and Golda bring an international perspective before lightening the mood with rat season tips and a brief look at the drone scare near Copenhagen Airport. In this episode: Cohosts: Dominika - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominika-handzlik-2...

10-08
28:03

Denmark Drone Scare, New Immigration Minister, Jobs and Growth Update: LWID S4E8

Send us a text Drone Scares, Politics, and Optimism: This week’s episode unpacks a tense but hopeful stretch of news in Denmark: the wave of drone activity that shut down airports and raised questions about hybrid attacks, the appointment of hardline politician Rasmus Stoklund as the new Immigration Minister and what that could mean for internationals, and the National Bank’s unexpected forecast of economic growth despite major job cuts. Guiding the conversation are Katie and Kalpita, i...

10-01
33:55

Denmark’s Missile Plans, Bangladeshi International Student Scandal, Porn Addiction Study: LWID S4E7

Send us a text From missiles to migration to addiction, Denmark’s headlines this week couldn’t be more explosive. Internationals Fionn O'Toole and Katie Burns share their take on how these stories shape life for those of us living here—from the government’s dramatic shift toward long-range weapons, to Roskilde University’s controversial recruitment of Bangladeshi students, to a study revealing MANY Danes struggling with porn addiction. Topics: (02:56) Denmark's Long Range Missile ...

09-24
38:47

Tougher Citizenship Tests, Assisted Dying, and Denmark’s Starry Nights: LWID S4E6

Send us a text Hard Questions, Human Choices. In this week’s episode, Golda and Dominika, both internationals with strong ties to Denmark, tackle three powerful conversations: Denmark’s proposal for tougher citizenship tests and what they mean for democracy and belonging, the country’s exploration of assisted dying as a dignified choice at the end of life, and the growing trend of Danes sleeping under the stars in free nature shelters. It’s Dominika’s very first time on the podcast — join her...

09-17
21:59

Nurse Quotas, School Meals, and Bus Fares in Denmark: LWID S4E5

Send us a text Healthcare, Candy, Buses: Denmark’s Big Choices. Katie and Kalpita, two internationals living in Denmark, take on the week’s sharpest debates. From the government’s new quota on non-EU nurses, to billions for candy tax cuts instead of free school meals, to Aarhus testing cheaper bus tickets — these choices reveal what Denmark values, what it risks overlooking and how these changes could impact internationals living here. Topics: (00:00) This week's topics (01:03) Da...

09-10
36:44

Cheaper Coffee, Safer Vaccines, Fishy Politics in Denmark: LWID S4E4

Send us a text Taxes, Science, and Mysterious Eels. Denmark’s 2026 Finance Law brings tax cuts on chocolate, coffee, and books—changes that spark both cheers and debate. Hosts Katie and Fionn, both internationals living in Denmark, also dive into a landmark study of over one million children confirming no link between vaccines and conditions like autism or allergies, a vital pushback against global misinformation. And for a lighter touch: Denmark’s national fish vote, the quirky protest pig, ...

09-03
35:49

Denmark’s Week of Cuts: Coal Use, Power Taxes & Book VAT: LWID S4E3

Send us a text This week on Last Week in Denmark, Katie and Kalpita — both internationals living in Denmark — discuss a wave of cuts making headlines. Denmark has gone three months coal-free, the government is proposing a major power tax cut, and book VAT may finally be reduced. Are these real steps forward, or just election-season promises? Topics: (00:00) This week's topics (02:01) Denmark's 3 months coal free win (11:36) Power tax cuts in Denmark (20:40) Book VAT reduction in Denmark...

08-27
35:48

From High Grocery Prices to Greenlandic Parental Rights: Denmark’s Big Challenges for Internationals: LWID S4E2

Send us a text Prices, Parenting, and Politics Collide in Denmark. This week, Golda and Kalpita unpack how Denmark’s big debates hit everyday life. From soaring grocery bills to Greenlandic parents fighting for their rights, and the government’s bailouts of major companies like Ørsted, these stories raise tough questions about fairness, identity, and who bears the cost of change. With their close connection to Denmark, Golda and Kalpita bring both international insight and personal perspectiv...

08-20
31:27

Novo Nordisk, Zoos & Alcohol Free Drinking Culture in Denmark: LWID S4E1

Send us a text Pharma Shake-Up, Zoo Debate & Sober Shift: We’re back from summer break with Season 4, as Fionn and Golda explore how Novo Nordisk’s leadership change, Aalborg Zoo’s livestock feeding debate, and Denmark’s growing alcohol-free culture touch daily life for internationals in Denmark. Both with a strong connection to Denmark, they link the headlines to real concerns – job stability, cultural surprises, and finding your place in social life. Hear their candid, cross-cultural ta...

08-13
33:34

Unlimited Sick Days: Denmark’s Dream Policy or Workplace Dilemma? LWID S3E28 (replay)

Send us a text Unlimited sick leave sounds great—until it doesn't. Golda and Narcis—both internationals with a strong connection to Denmark—explore the country’s ongoing debate around expanded parental leave to help parents take care of sick children. From the pressures on dual-income households to the impact on startups and the fairness toward colleagues without kids, this conversation tackles the policy from all sides. It’s a deeply personal yet broadly political topic, especially for inter...

07-30
09:47

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