New Finance Law (2020) brings good news also for internationals.

The new finance law which was passed yesterday 02.12.2019 brings an extensive list of changes that will have an influence on all Danish citizens and residents. While most of the changes are good news, there are some that might not make everyone happy (such as cigarettes becoming more expensive). However, there are a few changes which will have a particular impact on internationals in Denmark. Here is a short list of the new-coming changes:

• Encouraging companies to hire foreigners in the fields where there is a lack of manpower as well as specifically looking towards foreign students who have been trained in Denmark.

• Cancelling the limitation set in 2016 for higher education. Students will be able to access a second Bachelor’s or Master’s programme even if they have already finished one such programme.

• Supplementing the positive list for minimum skilled foreign workers so that non-Eu citizens can have easier access to employment in Danish companies, in areas where there is a shortage of labour. However, only those employers who comply with Danish wage and employment conditions and their social obligations for the education of apprentices and pupils will be granted access.

• Cancelling the co-payment for Danish language classes from 1st of July 2020. The exact rules of who will still be able to access the classes are not yet detailed but there will be a deposit payment of 2000 kr/module. The rules on repayment of the deposit are tightened, therefore, unjustified absence means that the repayment will be reduced.

• Cancelling the residency requirement in order to receive unemployment benefits. From 1st of February 2020, persons who have been members of an A-kasse, but have in the past years worked outside of Denmark or the EU will be able to receive their unemployment benefits regardless of where they have had their residency in the past 7 out of 12 years (which was one of the main criteria outlined by the past law).

As mentioned before, these are just a few of the changes this new finance law is bringing. There will be a strong shift in environmental protection, larger hiring in the medical and care field, a continuation of allocating funds towards cultural activities and many others.

If you have any questions about the new changes and how will they impact your own situation, feel free to contact us!