Obtaining and registration of Danish citizenship

The Kingdom of Denmark stands out (including among other member states of the European Union) for its high indicators of development, life of the population, as well as social and economic stability. These factors determine the migration attractiveness of Denmark, but the process of obtaining local citizenship is one of the most difficult and time-consuming in comparison with other European states.

Criteria for applicants

Danish law sets out the following criteria for applicants for citizenship:

1. Reaching the age of majority (18 years old);
2. Compliance with the residency qualification;
3. Permanent residence permit (hereinafter - residence permit), housing, official place of employment and stable income;
4. Financial independence (failure to use the opportunity to receive any social benefits for 5 years preceding the moment of initiation of the procedure for acquiring citizenship);
5. Fluency in the state language, a high degree of integration into the local society;
6. Strict adherence to the norms of local legislation, no criminal record in the territories of other states;
7. Absence of outstanding financial (or other) obligations to the state.

Prohibition on entering citizenship

According to Danish law, the following persons cannot become citizens of the state:

• Have a criminal record or are subject to criminal prosecution in their home country for offenses that provide for the same punishment in the local Criminal Code;
• Repeatedly violating the migration legislation of Denmark or other EU member states;
• Wanted by Interpol and / or suspected of having links with terrorist and criminal organizations;
• Members of the armed forces or special services of other states;
• Subject to extradition in accordance with a request from another state.

Foundations

The grounds for initiating the process of becoming a Danish citizen are:

1. Birthright;
2. Marriage to a royal subject;
3. Natural naturalization;
4. Implementation of investment activities;
5. Other grounds.

The ownership of real estate located in Denmark is not a sufficient basis for a nomination for becoming a citizen. However, the ownership of real estate (regardless of its purpose) is considered by the Kingdom's migration service as an additional argument in favor of the candidate - both when applying for a residence permit and when agreeing on the possibility of acquiring citizenship.

Right of birth and origin

The right is relevant for persons:

• Born as a result of a marriage between Danish nationals (regardless of the place of birth of the child);
• Found on the territory of the state (provided that it is impossible to find and identify the parents or guardians of the minor);
• Adopted by local citizens (condition - the adopted child has not reached the age of 12).

Marriage

Terms of sale:

1. The status of one of the spouses is a full citizen;
2. Each of the spouses has reached the age of 24 at the time of marriage;
3. The spouse-applicant for citizenship has a valid residence permit;
4. The actual nature of the marriage (cohabitation on the territory of the state, ownership of property, etc.);
5. The presence of a permanent place of residence (floor space - at least 20 m2 per person);
6. The period of cohabitation is at least 2 years.

Upon dissolution of the marriage, obtaining Danish citizenship on this basis becomes impossible, as well as in the case of the local authorities revealing the fictitious nature of the marriage.

Naturalization

The most common method among foreigners (including Russians) to obtain Danish citizenship.

Conditions:

• Passing by the applicant of testing for knowledge of the state language, traditions and culture;
• Full compliance with the above criteria (except for situations due to objective reasons);
• The residence permit is at least 9 years, of which the last 3 years have been lived in the status of a permanent resident on the basis of an indefinite residence permit.

Investments

Investing in the Danish economy can become the basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit with the further prospect of obtaining permanent resident status, which in turn is a sufficient (subject to other criteria) grounds for submitting a request for entry into Danish citizenship.

Terms of sale:

1. The total volume of investments made in the local economy - at least 50 thousand €;
2. The activities carried out are useful for the state economy (the organization is profitable, pays taxes on time, provides new jobs, etc.).

Other grounds

Among other grounds for obtaining permanent resident status with the possibility of subsequent acquisition of citizenship are:

• Education at a local university (with the subsequent employment opportunity), permanent work in the territory of the state;
• Family reunification (condition - residence in Denmark of close relatives with the status of citizens);
• Registered refugee status.

Possibility of obtaining dual citizenship

Starting out from 1.09.2015Danish citizens have the right to obtain dual citizenship with other states. This legislative provision also applies to foreigners applying for local citizenship. Thus, registration of dual citizenship (including with Russia) is possible without any restrictions.

Procedure

The submission of documents for entry into Danish citizenship is preceded by the following steps:

1. Registration of a Schengen or state visa;
2. Obtaining a temporary residence permit in accordance with the purpose of stay (drawn up through the diplomatic mission of Denmark on the territory of the Russian Federation, interviews with candidates are conducted in English);
3. Continuous residence on the basis of a timely renewable temporary residence permit for 6 years, passing tests for knowledge and fluency in the state language;
4. Obtaining an unlimited residence permit, further residence on its basis.

Preparation of documents

After 3 years of living in Denmark on the basis of an indefinite residence permit, a permanent resident of the Kingdom must re-test for language proficiency and integration into the local society. Upon successful passing of the tests and meeting other established criteria, he / she is entitled to apply for citizenship.

The package of documents required for this includes (including legalized translations of Russian documents):

• Autobiography of the applicant (drawn up in Danish);
• Evidence: compliance with the residency qualification, financial independence, availability of a permanent residence, work and income that meets the established requirements;
• Copies of a valid RF passport and permanent residence permit;
• Certificate (or other similar document) confirming the knowledge of the state language at a sufficient level;
• References: from the local police (on the absence of offenses), on the absence of a criminal record on the territory of the Russian Federation, on the absence of outstanding financial obligations;

• 2 photographs (35 × 45 mm);
• Other documents depending on the situation (diploma of a local and / or foreign university, a valid contract with an employer, a certificate of marriage or birth of a child, etc.).

Submission of documents

The collected documents are submitted to the department of the State Migration Service of Denmark at the applicant's place of residence. There you should also receive and fill out (in advance, or at the time of filing) an application for citizenship.

The form is filled out in Danish and must be submitted together with other documents.

Cost and terms

Immediately before submitting documents to the migration service, the applicant must pay the appropriate state fee in the amount of ~ 150 € (the amount may vary depending on the basis for the nomination and other circumstances). A document confirming the fact of payment of the fee must be attached to the package of submitted documents.

In most cases, the candidate is given an answer on the possibility of becoming Danish citizens within 1 year from the date of the application. If it is necessary to carry out additional checks, the indicated period can be doubled, the candidate can also be called again to the migration service for an additional interview.

In case of confirmation of the possibility of admission to citizenship, the candidate must take an oath of allegiance to the ruling monarch and the people of Denmark.

Possible actions in case of failure

Among the most common reasons for the rejection of applications for Danish citizenship are:

• Absence or loss of relevance of the basis for granting citizenship;
• Inconsistency of the candidate with one or another established criteria;
• Lack of required documents and / or their non-compliance with the established requirements;
• The candidate committed an offense (for example, a minor traffic violation) during the period of consideration of his petition for becoming citizens;
• Failure to appear at the migration service in case of a call for an additional interview;
• Revealing forgery or concealment of information and / or documents;
• Insufficient knowledge of the state language.

In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to repeat the attempt to obtain citizenship only after 4-5 years - the exact period is set based on the reason for the refusal. When resubmitting an application, it is necessary to eliminate all previously identified inconsistencies or violations.

The toughening of the Danish state migration policy every year increasingly complicates the procedure for obtaining local citizenship. However, a positive result justifies and pays for both the long wait and all the efforts expended.