Serviceloven

Serviceloven, or the Danish Law on Social Service, is a central statute that governs the provision of social services to residents in Denmark. It establishes the framework for municipal responsibility to assess, plan and deliver assistance to individuals and families in need, covering areas such as elderly care, disability services, child welfare, housing support, and preventive measures to promote independence and inclusion. The act applies to all residents who require support to manage daily life or safeguard welfare, and it clarifies the boundary between services provided by municipalities and other forms of state support.

A core feature of Serviceloven is the requirement that municipalities perform a rights-based assessment of an individual’s needs and prepare an action or service plan. Services are tailored to the person’s situation and are designed to promote autonomy, safety, and participation in society. The act also provides for information, participation, and review rights for users; decisions can be appealed to higher authorities if a person disagrees with a municipal decision.

Implementation is carried out at the municipal level, guided by national guidelines and funded through a combination of local and state resources. Decisions and service provisions are subject to oversight, including appeal processes administered by the National Social Appeals Board (Ankestyrelsen) in relevant cases.

Since its introduction in the late 1990s, Serviceloven has been amended several times to reflect welfare-policy changes, demographic trends, and budgetary constraints. Debates around the act often center on resource availability, regional variation in service provision, and the balance between preventive care and entitlement-based rights.

See also: Welfare state in Denmark; Social services; Ankestyrelsen.