Obtaining Danish Citizenship

Danish citizenship automatically grants an individual EU citizenship status and the associated rights and privileges. A holder may live, work, study, run a business, and engage in other activities without restrictions in any EU country. With a Danish passport, it is possible to travel visa-free or with simplified entry to 175 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Citizenship can be obtained by birth, descent, simplified or standard naturalization, or through restoration of nationality. Denmark’s migration policy is focused on granting citizenship to foreign nationals who demonstrate a willingness to become part of society, sufficient integration, law-abiding behavior, and financial self-sufficiency. Danish law does not provide for citizenship by investment. Applicants of non-EU origin are generally required to reside in the country for at least 9 years before they can apply for a Danish passport.

Benefits of a Danish Passport

The Danish passport ranks among the strongest in the world and is highly sought after by migrants seeking a second citizenship. Citizenship in an economically developed and politically stable country provides confidence in building a secure future. The passport offers significant advantages:

• visa-free travel to 175 countries;
• simplified relocation to Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, as well as the right to live permanently in the EU without additional permits;
• full access to local and EU labor markets, including priority in employment and higher salaries compared to non-EU nationals;
• access to higher education across the EU on preferential or free terms;
• opportunities to develop business within the unified European market, including access to favorable loans and grants;
• the right to hold public office and participate in the country’s political life;
• strong social protection through state benefits (for retirees, unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, and parents on parental leave).

Who Can Obtain Danish Citizenship

The requirements for obtaining Danish citizenship depend on the chosen pathway. For most foreign nationals, the most accessible option is naturalization. The key condition is the length of legal residence in the country, which ranges from 2 to 9 years depending on individual circumstances. At the time of application, the applicant must also hold permanent residence status. In addition, candidates are required to sign a declaration of loyalty to Danish laws and participate in a constitutional ceremony.

Applicants must also demonstrate a clean criminal record and no significant fines, timely payment of taxes, and financial self-sufficiency. As part of the financial requirement, the applicant must show that they have not received social benefits for 24 months prior to applying and have not relied on such support for more than 4 months within the last 5 years. Furthermore, full-time employment or self-employment is required for at least 42 months within the last 4 years and at the time of obtaining citizenship. A sufficient level of knowledge of the Danish language, culture, and history is also mandatory.

Based on the legal pathways available, the following categories of individuals may obtain Danish citizenship:

• children born to or adopted by Danish citizens;
• individuals applying through naturalization;
• spouses of Danish citizens;
• stateless persons and refugees;
• citizens of certain Nordic countries defined by law;
• individuals educated in Denmark;
• children who moved to Denmark before the age of 15;
• former Danish citizens who have lost their status.

For those considering relocation, an alternative option may be to obtain EU citizenship in another member state under simplified conditions, which allows residence in Denmark with rights similar to those of Danish citizens.

Ways to Obtain Danish Citizenship

Choosing the method of obtaining Danish citizenship should be based on the applicant’s personal circumstances, goals, and opportunities. For individuals without family ties to Danish citizens, who are not former citizens of Denmark or certain Nordic countries, the available options are limited. Denmark does not offer investment programs that allow applicants to legally purchase citizenship. Giving birth in the country does not provide advantages for obtaining a second passport for a child (except in cases where the child would otherwise be stateless) or for simplifying legalization for the parents.

Birth, Descent, and Adoption

Any child born after July 1, 2014, to one or both Danish citizen parents automatically acquires Danish citizenship. Children born before this date may also obtain citizenship, but under the legal conditions that were in force at that time, as the law on citizenship has been amended multiple times.

If a child born to a foreign mother and a Danish father did not acquire citizenship at birth, it may still be granted before the age of 18 if the parents formalize their relationship. Children born under similar circumstances outside of marriage between October 12, 1993, and June 30, 2014, may apply for citizenship by providing documentary proof of the father’s citizenship, recognition of the child, or registration of the parents’ union.

A foreign child adopted before the age of 12 by one or two Danish citizens automatically acquires citizenship based on a court decision. To retain this right, the adoption must be registered in accordance with Danish law through the relevant authorities.

A newborn found in Denmark is considered a Danish citizen if their origin cannot be established. Stateless children born in Denmark may apply for citizenship before reaching adulthood without meeting standard requirements. Applicants aged 18–21 must demonstrate a clean criminal record and continuous residence in the country for at least 5 years before applying (or 8 years in total), while applicants over 21 must meet the standard naturalization requirements.

Standard Naturalization

Naturalization is the process by which a foreign national acquires Danish citizenship after long-term residence, integration into society, knowledge of the language and laws, professional activity, and fulfillment of tax obligations. In Denmark, the standard process takes approximately 9 years and begins with obtaining a residence permit based on employment, business, family reunification, education, or humanitarian or religious grounds.

A temporary residence permit is issued for varying periods depending on the purpose of stay and can be extended if the requirements continue to be met. After 8 years of legal residence, applicants may qualify for permanent residence, and after one more year, they can apply for citizenship.

A minor child of the applicant may obtain Danish citizenship together with the parent without undergoing a separate procedure. To be included in the application, the child must be unmarried, have no legal issues, and reside permanently in Denmark. Written consent from the second parent is also required.

Simplified Naturalization

According to the Law on Danish Citizenship, there are several categories of applicants who must still undergo naturalization and meet standard requirements but can qualify for citizenship faster than the usual 9-year period. These include:

• refugees and stateless persons — after 8 years;
• citizens of Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland — after 2 years (except in cases processed by declaration);
• spouses of Danish citizens — after 6, 7, or 8 years, depending on the duration of the marriage (at least 3, 2, or 1 year respectively);
• children who moved to Denmark before the age of 15 — immediately upon reaching adulthood;
• students of Danish universities — after 5 years, provided they studied for at least 3 years and successfully completed their exams.

To determine whether supporting documents are required, applicants should contact the Ministry of Immigration and Integration. When choosing a pathway to Danish citizenship, it is important to check eligibility for a simplified procedure, as in some cases there is no need to wait the full 9 years if citizenship can be obtained sooner.

Restoration of Citizenship

Former Danish citizens who have lost their status may restore it through several options:

• Declaration.
  Available to individuals who acquired citizenship at birth, later lost it, lived in Denmark until the age of 18, and have resided in the country for at least 2 consecutive years immediately before applying.
• Transitional Scheme.
  Applicable to those who lost Danish citizenship due to acquiring another nationality before September 1, 2015. Applications can be submitted until June 30, 2026, provided the applicant has no criminal record.
• Naturalizatuion.
  Relevant for individuals who do not meet the conditions of the previous options. In this case, all standard naturalization requirements must be fulfilled, except for holding permanent residence.

Applicants must include supporting documents confirming eligibility for restoration, such as birth certificates, proof of former Danish citizenship, records of parents’ civil status, and evidence of residence in Denmark.

There is also a simpler and faster way to settle in Denmark — obtaining EU citizenship in another member state under simplified conditions and then relocating. Migration law specialists can provide detailed guidance on available options.

How to Obtain Danish Citizenship

How to Prepare Documents for Citizenship

When applying for Danish citizenship, the applicant’s dossier typically includes:

• a completed application form in the prescribed format;
• a valid international passport;
• a permanent residence permit;
• certificates confirming successful completion of the citizenship and language tests, or medical proof of exemption from these exams;
• documents confirming parental rights if a dependent child is included in the application.

All identity documents and test certificates must be submitted as copies. If the application is completed and submitted electronically, it must be signed using MitID.

Costs and Processing Time

The naturalization process in Denmark typically takes around 24 months, depending on the individual case and processing times. Overall, the costs associated with obtaining citizenship can start from approximately 400–500 EUR at the initial stage and increase significantly throughout the procedure.

Applicants should expect to pay around 840 EUR for the citizenship application, while those residing in Greenland and the Faroe Islands pay about 160 EUR. Additional expenses include passport issuance, which ranges from approximately 20 EUR to 120 EUR depending on age.

It is also important to consider related costs during the process, such as residence permits, which can range from about 400 EUR to 1,400 EUR, and permanent residence fees of approximately 650–1,000 EUR. Overall, total expenses may reach several thousand euros depending on the chosen pathway and individual circumstances.

Dual Citizenship in Denmark

According to Danish law, citizens are allowed to hold two or more passports. Foreign nationals applying for citizenship may retain their original nationality or any other citizenship. In practice, this means acquiring a second citizenship, where each country recognizes the individual solely as its own citizen, rather than a formally recognized dual citizenship with shared rights and obligations.

Danish authorities do not notify the applicant’s home country about the granting of citizenship. New citizens may use their passports at their own discretion for travel, choosing a place of residence, doing business, purchasing property, and other purposes.

Reasons for Refusal

An application for Danish citizenship may be rejected if the applicant does not meet one or more legal requirements. Incorrectly prepared documents, missing paperwork, or providing inaccurate information are also common reasons for refusal. Applicants are allowed to reapply.

According to feedback from migrants who have obtained citizenship abroad, professional assistance significantly reduces the risk of rejection. Migration lawyers have up-to-date knowledge and practical experience, helping applicants properly prepare their documents and successfully complete the process.

Naturalization in the Kingdom of Denmark typically takes around 9 years. This is a relatively long period that discourages many applicants and encourages them to consider alternative options. By obtaining citizenship in another EU country, it is possible to move to Denmark for permanent residence and enjoy rights equal to those of Danish citizens in most aspects, simply by completing a basic registration procedure upon arrival.