Denmark’s Liberal Party in Copenhagen wants to expand publicly funded trips for seniors, proposing large-scale “welfare vacations” to reduce loneliness among older citizens. Critics argue that the money could serve better purposes in healthcare and home care.
Proposal for Large-Scale Senior Travel
Venstre, the Liberal Party in Copenhagen, has presented a new eldercare plan that focuses on combating loneliness and improving the quality of life among the city’s older residents. The party’s top candidate, Jens-Kristian Lütken, aims to make publicly funded vacations available to all single seniors over the age of 71 in the municipality.
According to the proposal, eligible older citizens could go on week-long trips to southern Europe—or to destinations within Denmark, such as folk high schools. The specific destination is less important than the opportunity for social interaction, which Venstre believes helps prevent isolation and depression among seniors.
The plan expands an existing pilot program that started in 2023, where participants could exchange certain welfare services, such as cleaning or meal delivery, for a week’s vacation. The first 15 people from Copenhagen took such a trip in 2024, but Venstre wants to scale it up significantly.
Combating Loneliness Through New Initiatives
Venstre emphasizes that loneliness is one of the biggest challenges facing older citizens in Denmark, leading to shorter lifespans and poorer health. Therefore, the party’s initiative includes more than travel. It also calls for encouraging senior living communities, strengthening cooperation between the municipality, athletic clubs, and volunteers, and giving residents greater freedom in choosing meals, daily routines, and care services.
This focus aligns with nationwide discussions about elderly welfare, including efforts already being rolled out to provide cheaper meals in Denmark’s care system.
Criticism and Concerns About Priorities
Not everyone supports the idea. Some members of the city’s Elder Council argue that the money could be used more effectively to restore services cut in home cleaning and food programs. They also point out that Copenhagen faces budgeting challenges in senior care, where several nursing homes already struggle to meet quality standards.
Environmental experts have likewise criticized the initiative for promoting air travel while the municipality maintains ambitious climate goals. Sending pensioners abroad by plane, they argue, conflicts with Copenhagen’s sustainability pledges.
Despite the objections, Venstre sees the trips as a preventative health measure. The party believes that promoting social bonds can delay the need for nursing home care or home assistance, ultimately saving the municipality money. Lütken stresses that with an aging population and fewer young people entering the care workforce, cities must “think differently” about eldercare.
Implementation and Financial Questions
The cost of the expanded program remains unclear. Venstre has yet to estimate how many seniors would participate or how much funding would be required. Instead, the party envisions a gradual expansion starting in certain districts before rolling it out citywide.
Even so, critics say it is essential to understand the financial scope before promising publicly funded vacations. Lütken responds that traditional services such as home cleaning and meal deliveries already carry significant expenses, which would temporarily stop while participants are away.
In 2024, roughly 60 seniors took part in the original pilot project, which Venstre calls a success. The party now proposes shifting from small trials to “large-scale” efforts that would reach many more. Importantly, the destinations would not always be abroad. Trips within Denmark are also part of the plan, offering an inclusive approach for those unable or unwilling to fly.
Reactions from Senior Advocacy Groups
Elder advocacy group Ældre Sagen welcomes the renewed political focus on senior well-being but does not prioritize vacation programs. The organization emphasizes housing solutions such as senior communities as more direct tools for reducing loneliness and increasing independence among older residents.
Still, Ældre Sagen acknowledges that any proposal drawing attention to senior well-being contributes positively to the public debate. With Denmark’s new elder law requiring municipalities to ensure dignity and self-determination in eldercare, Venstre’s ideas highlight ongoing efforts to modernize care policies across the country.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Cheaper Meals in Denmark: Danish Seniors to Receive Support
TV2: Venstre vil sende flere ældre på charterferie – skal være stordrift, siger spidskandidat
