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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.

He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.

In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.

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One of the calmest and cleanest countries in Europe and perhaps in the world, offering the most advanced medical services and education, coupled with one of the lowest crime rates and one of the highest living standards. All this is said about Denmark, one of the smallest countries in the world. And yet like many other countries in EU, Denmark doesn't need foreigners except the tourists and the business expatriates. If you're a foreigner, the tranquility there is for the businesspersons only. The local as well as the foreign retirees are advised to look elsewhere.

Danish society still offers cradle-to-grave security but this is paid by one of the heaviest tax burdens in the world (50%). The life there is much more expensive than the average foreign retirees are ready to pay. The high prices become even higher when a 25% tax is added. To have a car and to drive one in Denmark is an expensive pleasure so many Danes prefer to ride bicycles whenever they can. The country is small so the government tries to limit the migration influx, leaving the door open only to the businesspersons and to some qualified workers.

Foreigners who plan to make Denmark their new residence must apply for a residence permit, except the nationals of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. This permit is delivered when the foreigners prove they have been hired. Before getting the permanent residence these foreigners have to stay for at least 7 years in Denmark, applying and receiving 1-year temporary permits. Only citizens of EU and some northern countries are exempted from applying for working permits.

The real estate prices are also a factor pulling away the individual investors. The average houses in the capital city of Copenhagen start at $350-400,000. Even the small apartments in the province can hardly be found for less than $100,000. Additional obstacles are put before the foreigners, refusing them the right to buy in some coastal areas especially when it comes to summer holiday homes. Denmark is a small country and it seems that the society doesn't want to see some of its first class properties occupied during a limited period only.

On the other hand, the Danish authorities make miracles when it comes to attracting the transnational companies and their precious staff. Only in the greater Copenhagen area more than 2,000 foreign companies have established their assets and about 60,000 expatriates, of which 40,000 coming from the EU, the Nordic countries and North America, enjoy the quiet life.

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Country profile:

• Area: 43,094 sq km (excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland)
• Population: 5.4 million (July 2002 est.)
• Net migration rate: 2.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth: 76.91 years
• GDP per capita: purchasing power parity $29,000 (2002 est.)
• Main trade partners: other EU countries, US, Norway.
• Internet users: 3.37 million (2002)

(Source: CIA - The World Factbook 2002)