Lolland Municipality is preparing a large savings plan for its 2027 budget, with closures and cutbacks proposed in schools, day care and elder care.
The plan is described by the Danish newspaper Arbejderen, which reports on massive cuts on the way in Lolland Municipality. The municipality is working on a savings catalogue and budget packages to close a large hole in next year’s finances.
The measures target several core welfare areas. According to the trade union FOA, the proposals include closing and moving schools and day institutions, shutting sports and swimming halls, and cutting the number of nursing homes from nine to three by 2030. FOA also states that up to 700 of its members could be affected by the plan.
A deficit reduced over the summer
Lolland announced in spring 2026 that it faced a projected shortfall of 531 million kroner in 2027. That figure prompted work on a savings target of around 200 million kroner in annual operating costs, per FOA.
The local newspaper Folketidende reports that the expected 2027 deficit was later reduced from 531 million kroner to 298 million kroner. According to the paper, the improvement came from better forecasts for transfer payments, postponed capital projects and increased borrowing. The municipality has previously drawn national attention for its deficit.
Lolland Municipality has calculated that the savings catalogue and the budget packages will together deliver 200 million kroner when fully implemented. As stated in a municipal press release, the effect in 2027 is 35 million kroner from the catalogue and 29 million kroner from the packages, a total of 64 million kroner.
The same calculation rises to 198 million kroner annually by 2030. The phased profile means the largest reductions in services would take effect after 2027.
The state has granted Lolland 223 million kroner in annual special funding, known as særtilskud, for 2027. The municipality says in its press release that the money helps, but does not solve next year’s challenges.
According to FOA, the savings catalogue and budget packages are aimed primarily at the elderly, schools and day care, adult disability services and administration. Those areas account for the bulk of the municipality’s operating spending.
Lolland is one of Denmark’s smallest municipalities by population and has long reported falling revenue and rising social expenditure. The 2027 budget process continues in the municipal council this autumn.
