SKAT gunning for Danes named in Panama Papers

Tax evaders and their helpers face stiffer punishment

The Danish tax authority SKAT will cast a keen eye over the list of 37,000 names confirmed by the Sunday Times as part of the ‘Panama Papers’ tax haven scandal.

The list can be viewed on the British newspaper’s website, although a log-in is required, and SKAT reveals it will be taking a hard look for Danes on the list.

“When a newspaper publishes names like that, then we have no issues gaining access to them,” Jim Sørensen, the head of SKAT watchdog SKAT indsats, told DR Nyheder.

“The names are interesting to us in terms of matching data with data we have obtained elsewhere. Name data is difficult to work with because there are a lot of people who can have the same name. Also, just because a name is on a list, it does not equate to direct documentation.”

Sørensen said that SKAT would much rather gain access to the 11.5 million documents that were part of the Panama Papers leak.

READ MORE: Danish banks linked to Panama papers

Stiffer penalties?
SKAT aren’t the only ones who have been spurred into action by the Panama Papers revelations. The halls of Parliament have also taken note.

Left-wing party Enhedslisten has proposed a new law that would make it easier to imprison people who counsel others on how to avoid paying taxes and finding tax havens. So far, Socialdemokraterne has backed the proposal.

According to DR Nyheder, the Danish bank Jyske Bank and the Nordic financial institution Nordea were linked to the Panama Papers for assisting their customers’ efforts in opening and maintaining secretive companies in tax havens.




  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.