Elderly meal delivery in Denmark could become cheaper from 2026, as the government proposes DKK 200 million (€26.8 million) per year to subsidise delivered meals for older people and individuals with disabilities. The measure will be included in negotiations on the 2026 Finance Bill, due to be presented before 1 September 2025.
What the subsidy covers and who benefits
The proposal targets municipal meal services used by people who are assessed as needing help with daily nutrition. It would reduce the out-of-pocket payment for older residents and people with disabilities, easing cost pressures while keeping the offer universal and needs-based.
According to the government, the plan is tied to lowering the municipal price cap on delivered meals. A reduced cap would make a standard main course more affordable across municipalities while keeping delivery and dietary needs within the regulated price.
How the system works today: prices and eligibility
Under current rules, home-dwelling seniors can receive meals through their municipality if they meet eligibility criteria. There is a national price ceiling for a main course (including delivery), and around 40,000 home-dwelling older people make use of the service. The proposed subsidy is intended to bring the end-user price further down while maintaining choice of provider and attention to special diets.
Budget timeline and political process
The initiative will be tabled as part of the 2026 Finance Bill package. Negotiations in the Folketing will determine the final amount, design of the subsidy, and any adjustments to the nationwide price cap. Implementation would start in 2026, subject to parliamentary approval and municipal coordination.
If passed, the subsidy could quickly lower everyday costs for meal delivery for seniors and people with disabilities. The focus now shifts to the Finance Bill talks and how municipalities implement a revised price cap while safeguarding quality and dietary standards.
