International News Round-Up: Swedes can get COVID-19 tests in Denmark

Swedes can now get tested for the coronavirus on the Danish side of the border. Meanwhile, there is a detected increase of radioactivity in the Nordic countries

It is now possible for Swedes to get tested for the coronavirus on the Danish border.

For Swedes, this option is available in case of a self-isolation guarantee before receiving a negative result. Swedes with a CPR and NEM-ID can get their results online.

The testing center at Kastrup Airport has also been moved so that people coming by air, car or train via the Øresund Bridge will be able to use it too.

Stricter requirements

The requirements were however tightened recently.

If before Swedes did not have to show a negative coronavirus test on the border, now they are obliged to have it together with a so-called recognised purpose of crossing the border.

Because of the resulting confusion and many Swedes returning home, Helsingør Mayor Benedikte Kiær said that the Danish handling of the border issue was “a little bit unprofessional” and an “unhealthy process”.


Increasing radioactivity in Nordic countries
There is an increase in radioactivity in the Nordic countries, AP and NRK reported. According to Dutch authorities, this could have originated in western Russia and “may be indicative of damage to some fuel elements of a nuclear power plant”. Still, Russian agency Tass reported that the levels of radioactivity remained unchanged throughout June. The Norwegian Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety stressed that the radioactivity levels are low and “harmless”.

Government reassesses Syrian refugees’ protection need
The Ministry for Immigration and Integration is speeding up the immigration service’s case processing so that residence permits for Syrian refugees can be reviewed for withdrawal. The ministry said that the reason for withdrawal is that conditions in Damascus are no longer “severe” enough to grant or extend residence permits under temporary protection status. In May, the Refugee Board decided that Syrians from Damascus no longer need protection and can return home. The basis of their residence permit is then subject to re-assessment. Those obliged to return to Syria will be given travel money.

Ministers draw flak for useless respirators offered to Italy
The health minister, Magnus Heunicke, and the defence minister, Trine Bramsen, drew criticism after it appeared that the respirators Denmark offered to Italy were not suitable for use. This was only revealed after the respirators were offered to Italy as a “solid hand to our Italian friends” turned out to be useless in treating coronavirus patients. Italy then had to reject the offer. Both the National Board of Health and the Ministry of Defense’s Material and Purchasing Agency however knew that the respirators were not suitable for treating coronavirus even before the offer was made, Berlingske and DR reported.

Growing complaints about cancelled flights
Since March, the Danish Transport Agency has been facing multiple complaints about cancelled flights with numerous requests for refund. The condition for refunds used to be that the flight had to be from Denmark but the EU commission has now changed the refund policy. If the flight was incoming from another EU country to Denmark, passengers must submit their complaint to the EU member state’s appeal body. In any case, the main condition for refunds is that both outbound and return trips are purchased in one booking, according to the Swedish Transport Agency.




  • Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine

  • 5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.

  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

  • Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Beginning this month, Expat Counselling will be contributing a monthly article to The Copenhagen Post, offering guidance, tools, and reflections on the emotional and social aspects of international life in Denmark. The first column is about Strategies for emotional resilience

  • New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    Several mayors and business leaders across Denmark are not satisfied with the agreement that the government, the trade union movement and employers made last week. More internationals are needed than the agreement provides for

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


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system