The parties behind the agreement on the City of Copenhagen’s 2027 budget: the Socialist People’s Party (SF), the Red-Green Alliance, the Social Democrats, the Social Liberal Party, the Liberal Party, Liberal Alliance, the Alternative and the Danish People’s Party. Photo: Københavns Kommune.
Broad agreement reached on Copenhagen’s 2027 budget
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Eight parties on Copenhagen City Council have reached an agreement on the municipality’s budget for 2027. The agreement includes investments in schools, social services, municipal buildings, elderly care and green spaces across the city.
The Socialist People’s Party (SF), Red-Green Alliance, Social Democrats, Social Liberal Party, Liberal Party, Liberal Alliance, Alternative and Danish People’s Party are behind the agreement. It is the first budget agreement reached by the newly elected City Council.
Overall, the agreement allocates DKK 2.346 billion to capital expenditure in the period 2027–2030 and DKK 995 million to public services in 2027.
“I am really pleased that we have reached a broad budget agreement supported by almost all parties. This is the first budget agreement of the new City Council and also my first as Lord Mayor,” says Lord Mayor Sisse Marie Welling (SF).
Billions for schools and municipal buildings
One of the largest allocations in the agreement is DKK 1.675 billion to expand school capacity as Copenhagen’s population grows.
A further DKK 1.138 billion has been allocated to the renovation and maintenance of existing municipal buildings.
Social services will receive DKK 1.154 billion. However, the Red-Green Alliance stresses that, according to the party, the agreement still leaves a significant funding shortfall in this area.
“The budget agreement leaves a substantial deficit in social services, which means there will be cuts of DKK 200–300 million,” say Social Services Mayor Karina Vestergård Madsen and Climate, Technical and Environmental Mayor Line Barfod of the Red-Green Alliance.
The Social Democrats highlight measures including free dental care for the most vulnerable elderly residents, an additional residential school trip during compulsory schooling and greater access to specialist educational expertise in daycare facilities and schools.
Parking, urban life and green spaces
The parties have allocated DKK 77 million to a package covering urban life, parking and the greening of public spaces.
Parking has been one of the issues discussed during the negotiations. The Alternative highlights that a broad majority has agreed to increase residential parking fees, while the Liberal Party says it helped prevent the annual fee from rising to DKK 30,000.
“At the same time, we have secured more than 500 new parking spaces in the city,” says Health and Care Mayor Jens-Kristian Lütken (V).
The Alternative also highlights a climate package, a new climate council, improved conditions for cyclists, more streets designed to support vibrant urban life and free menstrual products in schools.
The Social Liberal Party highlights, among other measures, new cultural free zones, a strategic partnership for the cultural sector and efforts to reopen the city’s historic streams.
Elderly care, sports and business
The budget agreement also funds a comprehensive dementia package and improvements to elderly care. According to the Liberal Party, the most vulnerable residents receiving home care will have one designated contact person, while younger residents of care homes will have access to a specialised care-home service where they can live alongside people of a similar age.
Funding will also be provided for additional sports facilities through the final part of the so-called “sports billion” initiative.
Liberal Alliance highlights measures including a significant reduction in outdoor serving fees, the option of 30 hours of childcare with lower parental fees for families who do not require a full-time place, and a new waiting-time guarantee for postnatal services.
The Danish People’s Party highlights unannounced inspections of Islamic associations that practise gender-segregated swimming, initiatives concerning Jewish life and culture, and additional training for teachers covering sensitive subjects such as the Muhammad cartoons controversy.
Overall, the eight parties behind the agreement say the budget prioritises core welfare services, more housing, a greener city, a more vibrant urban environment and improvements to elderly care.
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