Danish Mayors Say “No More Ukrainian Refugees”

Raphael Nnadi

January 19, 2026
8:36 am

Several Social Democratic mayors near Copenhagen are urging the government to stop sending more Ukrainian refugees to their municipalities, saying they have reached the limit of what they can manage.

Mayors Sound the Alarm Over Refugee Pressure

Three municipalities west of Copenhagen — Ishøj, Brøndby, and Rødovre — have publicly asked Denmark’s government for relief from hosting more Ukrainian refugees. The mayors, all from the Social Democrats, argue their towns already have one of the highest concentrations of residents with immigrant backgrounds in the country and are struggling to handle the growing responsibilities tied to integration and housing.

In Ishøj, nearly half of residents are immigrants or descendants of immigrants. The mayor explained that her community is already managing an enormous integration task. With the arrival of more Ukrainian refugees, that work is becoming overwhelming.

At the same time, the government has extended the temporary law that allows Ukrainians to stay in Denmark until March 2027. The Danish Municipalities Association supports revising that law so that local authorities can better manage resources and workload related to the refugees.

Brøndby and Rødovre: No More Capacity

In Brøndby, about 42 percent of residents have foreign backgrounds, which makes added responsibilities particularly difficult. The mayor said the town already works hard to provide fair educational opportunities for children who need language support. Receiving more refugees, she argued, could undermine that effort because local schools are running out of space and staff.

Rødovre faces the same problem. About 28 percent of residents there are immigrants or descendants, and the local government says the town simply cannot house any more newcomers. Officials have been forced to convert commercial properties into temporary homes and are even considering using parking lots and sports facilities for housing.

Before the war in Ukraine began, these three municipalities were exempt from receiving other refugees due to their already high immigrant populations. Their leaders are now asking that the exemption be reinstated.

Housing and Integration Struggles

The housing shortage adds intense pressure. Rødovre is just 12 square kilometers, leaving little unused space. The municipality has tried creative solutions such as temporary housing units in parking spaces and converting empty office buildings. Brøndby faces similar limits and has already welcomed 347 Ukrainians since 2022. Rødovre has taken about 340.

Initially, many arrivals were mothers with children motivated to find jobs and build independent lives. But as the war drags on, municipalities say many of the latest arrivals are in worse condition physically and mentally. This puts extra strain on local services, including schools, healthcare, and employment assistance.

Understanding how to immigrate to Denmark helps reveal why urban areas such as these attract newcomers in large numbers. Their proximity to Copenhagen offers employment opportunities but also creates inequality between municipalities when national refugee quotas are applied.

Call for Fairer Distribution

Refugees are currently distributed based on each municipality’s population size. The mayors argue this system does not take into account the different levels of social or economic pressure already facing communities. They believe rural and suburban municipalities with fewer immigrants should host a greater share of Ukrainian arrivals to ensure better overall integration outcomes.

Critics have questioned whether these demands appear unsympathetic. But the mayors insist their stance is not about rejecting refugees. Instead, they emphasize that their towns have reached real capacity limits both financially and socially.

Government Response

Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, has acknowledged the challenge these municipalities face. He said the government is considering options to ease the burden but cannot promise that no more refugees will arrive. The minister also noted that new arrivals have decreased in recent months, though many families are still expected to come as the conflict continues.

Officials across Denmark are trying to balance humanitarian responsibility with local capacity. Municipalities under pressure hope Parliament will adjust the distribution system and provide clearer guidelines for housing and funding.

In the meantime, the debate reflects a broader question about solidarity within Denmark: how to share the responsibility for supporting refugees while maintaining cohesive communities and effective integration policies.