For individuals who were not born in Denmark, obtaining Danish citizenship is typically done through naturalization. There are some other exceptional circumstances for Nordic citizens, former Danish citizens, and persons of Danish descent. Our Denmark immigration lawyers will explain the procedures in each case, and help interested individuals in the entire process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship | A continuous period of 9 years |
|
Special conditions for certain applicants |
Certain Nordic citizens can acquire Danish citizenship only by declaration |
|
Citizenship for children |
Automatic (if the mother or co-mother is Danish), through an application, or as a minor (when included in the parent’s naturalization application). |
| Citizenship by descent | For children of Danish mothers or fathers (including out of wedlock); certain conditions apply. |
| Citizenship by adoption |
Upon adoption, when adopted by Danish citizens |
| Disqualifications |
Citizenship by naturalization in Denmark cannot be acquired by those who have committed certain crimes. |
| Minimum age for citizenship applications |
18 years |
| Citizenship for dependents who join the permit holder in Denmark |
The foreign spouse must also acquire permanent residence, followed by an application for citizenship when he/she meets the criteria for naturalization. |
| Citizenship for foreign nationals married to a Danish citizen |
The minimum residence period is reduced to six years, depending on the duration of the marriage. |
| Citizenship application documents | Proof of lawful residence, proof of self-sufficiency, criminal record, proof of Danish language skills, and other documents as may be needed. |
| Requirements |
Demonstrated knowledge of Danish culture, society, and history (having passed a test). |
| Ceremony |
The constitution ceremony, held in the municipality of residence. |
| Application |
Online application, paper application only in some cases. |
| Citizenship applications processing department |
The Ministry of Immigration and Integration |
| Dual citizenship permitted | Yes |
We can help answer any other questions that may arise during the process as well as provide complete assistance from the earliest phases to the moment you receive citizenship.
In this article, our team of Denmark immigration specialists answers some of the most common questions about obtaining Danish citizenship. Please remember that this is a process that is based on a set of exact requirements, among which having resided in the country lawfully for a minimum period and being financially independent. Understanding these requirements is important before starting the process in order to ensure the success of the application.
Our team assists foreign nationals who are interested in moving to Denmark throughout all of the relevant relocation phases. We understand that moving to a new country for employment or other purposes entails many different steps and will include many different and important decisions. We are here to answer your questions so that the process can be as easy as possible.
Investors who have received a Denmark startup visa can receive specialized assistance from our lawyers, based on their particular case.
If you are not yet ready or able to apply for citizenship but have other questions about the Danish residence permit, our team is able to answer these. Whether this is your first application, or are interested in how you can renew or replace your existing residence permit, you can rely on our solutions as soon as you are in need of assistance. Please reach out to us to find out more about how we can help you.
Table of Contents
What are the conditions for obtaining Danish citizenship?
An individual can obtain Danish citizenship in 2024 by naturalization if he meets the following criteria:
- Minimum residence: before applying, a foreign national needs to have resided in the country (with a valid residence permit in Denmark) for 9 consecutive years;
- Financial independence: financial independence for the last 2 years is also a criterion; during the last 5 years the applicant should not have applied for financial support for more than 4 months (in total);
- No debts: these refer to public debts for repayable benefits like that for child care, housing benefits, taxes, or more; one of our Denmark immigration specialists can provide more details;
- Citizenship test: this is a test that is mandatory and it includes questions about the Danish culture, society, and history; the examination takes place in two sessions each year;
- No crimes: this is an important criterion as applicants who have committed heavy crimes cannot apply for Danish citizenship.
Applicants who have attended university courses in Danish during their residence may be able to replace the language examination with the accreditation that proves their participation in these courses. It is important to note that the language exam is subject to a fee and that the applicant can take a mock examination online (which is recommended) before the official one.
Observing the criteria presented above is important for all applicants in 2024. We recommend reaching out to our immigration lawyer in Denmark before starting the application process in order to confirm that you qualify and comply with all of the ongoing requirements, including the valid residence permit in Denmark for the minimum number of years.
The video below is a summary of the main conditions for acquiring Danish citizenship:
Danish citizenship for citizens of Nordic countries
As mentioned above, some individuals might have some exemptions from the normal requirements of obtaining Danish citizenship through naturalization. This category includes Nordic citizens, namely citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
This category can become Danish citizens by making a declaration to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration if they meet specific conditions:
- Be the age of majority (18) or older;
- Have acquired citizenship in Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden through birth, adoption, or their parents’ marriage (not through naturalization);
- Be current residents in Denmark with seven years of continuous residency;
- Have no history of imprisonment or similar measures during this period.
Nordic citizens can ask for more details from our team if they are interested in moving to Denmark.
What is the general application process in 2024?
If you meet all of the criteria described above by our immigration lawyer in Denmark, you can start the application process with the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, and Housing. The main step is to fill in the application form and to provide the required documentation. This will include a passport copy, a copy of the permanent residence permit, the original Danish language examination results, copies of the Citizenship test or naturalization test results, and a filled-in statement for self-support. Parents may also need to submit a different statement for parental responsibility.
The application, if approved, is included by the Ministry in a bill and the Parliament needs to issue this bill (which takes place each year in two instances, in April, and in October). One of our agents who specializes in Denmark immigration can provide more details about the application procedure and the publication of the bill.
How fast can Danish citizenship be obtained?
As seen above, the process depends on the publication of a bill, which takes place each year. First of all, the date for obtaining Danish citizenship will depend on whether or not the applicant qualifies for one of bill publications for the Act of Naturalization. There are two distinct phases, the introduction of the bill (which takes place in April and October) and the passing of the bill which also takes several months (and it can occur in December or in June, for example).
The process in 2024 is a lengthier one because experts carefully assess each application. The estimated processing time for the applications is approximately 19 to 21 months from the time they are received by the Ministry of Immigration, Integration, and Housing. Our immigration lawyer in Denmark can provide updated information on the usual waiting time once the application has been submitted.
Dual citizenship in Denmark
The good news is that since September 1, 2015, dual citizenship in Denmark is allowed. Danish citizens who acquire citizenship in other countries through application or declaration are allowed to retain their Danish citizenship.
However, certain countries may have rules that require individuals to renounce their original citizenship to obtain citizenship in that country.
We can help you if you plan to immigrate to Denmark, and if you have questions regarding dual citizenship.
The 22-year rule in Denmark
The 22-year rule in Denmark applies to individuals who were born and raised abroad to Danish parents. According to the 22-year rule in Denmark, individuals who were born abroad, have never lived in Denmark, and have not established a significant connection to Denmark by the time they turn 22 will typically lose their Danish citizenship, unless losing it would make them stateless.
However, there is a provision for the Ministry of Immigration and Integration to grant a dispensation to retain Danish citizenship in certain cases, but this must generally be applied for before reaching the age of 22.
If you are in this situation, it is advised to seek support from our immigration lawyers in Denmark.
Reacquiring Danish citizenship
If you were previously a Danish citizen but lost your citizenship, you must meet certain residence requirements to reacquire Danish citizenship. Special rules apply if you have become a citizen of Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden since losing your Danish citizenship.
If you do not meet the residence requirements, there is a transitional arrangement that allows you to reacquire Danish citizenship. This arrangement is only available if you lost your citizenship in connection with becoming a citizen of another country and have not been sentenced to an unconditional prison term since losing your Danish citizenship. The agreement started on July 1, 2021, and will remain in effect until June 30, 2026.
Our team can provide more details regarding immigrating to Denmark and acquiring or reacquiring citizenship.
Danish citizenship by marriage and investment
Denmark does not offer direct citizenship through investment, but investors can pursue a Startup visa, granting a renewable two-year residence permit. However, please remember that Danish citizenship can only be obtained after residing in Denmark for a continuous period of nine years.
For those seeking Danish citizenship through marriage to a Danish citizen, specific conditions apply. Spouses of Danish citizens may become citizens after 6-8 years of continuous residence, depending on their marriage duration. The marriage must be legal, voluntary, and recognized by Danish authorities. Additionally, applicants must hold a permanent residence permit in Denmark.
Danish citizenship for children born abroad
The child’s citizenship status is determined by the Danish nationality law in place at the time of their birth. Before July 1, 2014, if only the father was a Danish national, the child had to be born in wedlock to acquire Danish citizenship at birth.
However, starting from July 1, 2014, if one parent is Danish, a child gets Danish citizenship at birth, regardless of marital status or birthplace. The child also obtains Danish citizenship if the co-mother is Danish.
Additionally, children born out of wedlock to a Danish father and a foreign mother between October 11, 1993, and June 30, 2014, have the option to apply for Danish citizenship.
You can also contact our immigration lawyers in Denmark if you are in this situation.
Statistics about Danish citizenship
According to Statistics Denmark, 5,149 people changed to Danish citizenship in 2022. The distribution was the following:
- 2.762 individuals were women and 2.387 individuals were men;
- Most citizenships were acquired by Pakistani nationals (332), followed by UK nationals (327) and Indian nationals (302);
- 629 citizens were aged 20-29 years;
- 1.112 citizens were aged 40-49 years.
Contact us for more information on moving to Denmark, obtaining citizenship or residency in 2024 as well as other issues.
