Denmark's Supreme Court is set to hear a legal challenge today against a controversial law designed to eradicate 'ghettos' with a majority of 'non-Western' residents. Seven families from a social housing estate in Helsingør argue that their leases were terminated in 2022 based on discrimination related to their ethnic origin.
The 2018 law mandates that social housing estates where more than half of residents are of 'non-Western' origin must undergo redevelopment and social diversification. By 2030, at least 60 percent of homes in these areas must be rented at market rates.
The plaintiffs contend that the landlord, Boliggarden, which announced renovations on 96 apartments in early 2020, specifically targeted residents of foreign origin. One plaintiff, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the landlord's documents mentioned targeting 'non-Western inhabitants' to avoid the estate being labeled a 'hard ghetto,' leading to forced relocation.
Lower courts have previously ruled in favor of the landlord, determining that the law's phrasing regarding 'immigrants and descendants of people from non-Western countries' does not refer to a single ethnic group and thus does not violate the Equal Treatment Act. However, the lawyer for the ex-tenants, Eddie Khawaja, believes the Supreme Court will examine whether the criteria based on tenants' origin is neutral.
This case follows a December 2025 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which stated that Danish courts must determine if the law creates discriminatory treatment based on ethnic origin. The Danish government has pursued a strict immigration policy for decades, with the law intended to combat segregation and high crime rates in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Tenants' associations estimate that approximately 11,000 people across Denmark may need to be rehoused by 2030 to comply with the legislation. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the families, they would likely be offered comparable housing.
