Increased support for scrapping inheritance tax

At least two parties in favour of at least reducing the taxable amount

Sweden got rid of it in 2005. Norway followed suit in 2014. Now, Denmark could be the next Nordic country to get rid of the inheritance tax law.

The long-winded debate has once again gathered momentum as a new citizen proposal aimed at scrapping the tax has gained 14,000 signatures – with 50,000 needed for Parliamentary consideration.

At least two parties, Liberal Alliance (LA) and Konservative, are in favour of at least reducing the tax, which means that Danes have to pay 15 percent when inheriting from their parents.

“This is a principle matter. Is this a fair tax for the citizens? We don’t think so. It’s completely unfair,” Joachim B Olsen, LA’s spokesperson for financial affairs, told Berlingske newspaper.

“There is nothing unfair about inheriting one’s parents’ assets. One of the reasons parents work as hard as they do is to provide for their families.”

READ MORE: New initiative to get Danes ‘good will hunting’

Big business
Konservative party supports that viewpoint, but Parliament needs 90 mandates to make the change and not every party is in favour – government party Venstre has yet to take a position, while Socialistisk Folkeparti is among the parties advocating to keep the tax.

The tax has been a lucrative bit of business for the state. In 2017, the tax netted state coffers 4.4 billion kroner – a 45 percent increase from the 3.1 billion kroner it brought in 20 years earlier.

As it stands, the inheritance tax means that spouses don’t have to pay anything in inheritance tax, but children and grandchildren have to fork out 15 percent on an inheritance of a value of more than 282,600 kroner, while siblings and friends also have to pay 15 percent as well as an additional 25 percent tax.

TOP STORIES

  • 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

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

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs