Obtaining a Danish passport

The main way for foreigners to obtain a Danish passport is standard naturalization, the main condition of which is continuous residence in the country for at least 9 years. Danish spouses can count on citizenship after a six-year period. Among other requirements - knowledge of the official language of the kingdom, financial solvency, passing an exam on the basics of society. The procedure and conditions of naturalization, as well as the rules for acquiring Danish citizenship by other means (by birth or descent) are regulated by the local law “On Citizenship”.

Holders of Danish passports receive in the EU access to a stable labor market, free or preferential education, visa-free travel around the world and the right of residence in any state of the association. The popularity of Denmark among immigrants is due to the high standard of living of the population (3rd place in the world, according to Numbeo rating), modern medicine, social security of citizens. The country will be an excellent choice for those wishing to obtain a second passport, since naturalization allows to retain the status in their native country.

Advantages of Danish citizenship

In the world ranking of the power of passports for 2025, the Danish document takes the 3rd place, its holder has all the advantages of residents of the kingdom and at the same time of the European Union. Among the key advantages that you get from the registration of Danish citizenship are:

1. visa-free travel to more than 160 countries, including the USA, Canada, Seychelles, New Zealand and others;
2. the right to employment, business development and investment throughout the EU, as well as the possibility to choose tax residency;
3. advantage over applicants from outside the EU when applying for admission to European universities, access to student support programs;
4. the possibility to vote and participate in elections and to hold public office;
5. consular assistance and diplomatic protection abroad;
6. access to high-quality medical care (the country ranks 5th in the world on the health index), social benefits, including pensions and unemployment benefits;
7. the right to inherit citizenship to one's children;
8. the possibility to buy real estate, rent it out, as well as to count on housing loans in Denmark and other EU countries.

When obtaining Danish citizenship, it is worth considering the main disadvantage of the naturalization process - its duration. In order to choose the best path to a European passport, seek advice from migration specialists. Lawyers will offer you an individual plan for acquiring citizenship in a shorter time than standard naturalization.

Main ways of obtaining a Danish passport

According to local law, you can become a Danish citizen by birth, adoption, or by restoring a lost status or through standard/simplified naturalization.

Naturalization

Obtaining a Danish passport by naturalization takes from 6 to 9 years, during which it is necessary to stay continuously in the territory of the kingdom with a residence permit. Key grounds for obtaining a residence permit are:

1. Innovative activities. Foreign entrepreneurs who wish to establish and manage a company in Denmark can become participants in the Start-up Denmark program. In order to qualify for a residence permit, you must first have your idea approved by the Danish Business Authority. You must also have on your account from 20 543 EUR, fully or partially own the company, participate in its work. The permit is issued for 2 years with the possibility of renewal for a three-year period.
2. Work. A prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit is the conclusion of an employment contract with a Danish employer, which guarantees an annual salary of 55,634 EUR. Representatives of regulated professions (doctors, lawyers, firefighters) need to prove their qualifications and relevant education. Depending on the type, the residence permit is issued mainly for 4 years or for the duration of the employment contract with the possibility of extension.
3. Marriage. Spouses of Danish citizens can obtain a residence permit after marriage, and de facto partners - provided they have lived together for at least 1.5 years. Among the requirements in this case are Danish/English language skills, completion of an educational course or three years of work experience in the last 5 years. The receiving party must have suitable housing, provide a financial guarantee (7 916 EUR), a certificate of criminal record. The residence permit is valid for 2 years, further the permit can be extended for another four-year period. After 6 years of residence in Denmark it is possible to apply for permanent residence and citizenship if the marriage lasted at least 3 years.
4. Family reunification. Family members (spouses, partners, minor children, other dependent relatives) of a Danish residence permit holder can apply for a residence permit. The permit is issued for the same period as the main applicant (sponsor), with the possibility of prolongation. In order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to demonstrate family ties by presenting civil status certificates. Proof of cohabitation will also be required by providing bank statements, invoices, insurance policies.
5. Study. To apply for a student residence permit you need to be enrolled in a Danish educational institution, have sufficient income (from 950 EUR per month), and know the language of the study program. Minor applicants will need parental consent. The residence permit is issued for the planned period of study. After receiving higher education, you can stay in Denmark for 6 months or 3 years to find a job or start a business. After employment, you must change the basis of immigration and apply for a new residence permit.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining a Danish passport

For foreigners, the most popular way of acquiring Danish citizenship is the standard naturalization, which takes from 9 years. Among the documents that will be needed to apply for a Kingdom passport are:

1. passport;
2. permanent residence card;
3. certificate of passing the Danish language proficiency test;
4. receipt for payment of the fee;
5. certificate of passing the citizenship test;

Foreign documents must be translated into Danish and legalized if necessary. In order to enter Denmark and stay there for more than 90 days, you will have to obtain a residence permit corresponding to the purpose of your stay in the country, and you will not need a visa.

Before you can become a holder of the national passport of the kingdom, you will need to pass the following stages of the immigration procedure:

1. Obtaining a residence permit. You can apply for a residence permit online or by submitting an application to the Citizen Service of the Immigration Service and paying a fee (the cost depends on the type of permit and, for example, for self-employed persons is 300 EUR). From the documents you will need a passport, civil status certificates, certificate of absence of criminal record. It is also necessary to show proof of the basis for the move (employment contract, education diploma, etc.), to submit biometric data. The permit is issued for a period of one year with the possibility of extension. After your request is approved, the residence permit card will be sent by mail.
2. Request for permanent residence. The status of permanent resident can be obtained after 4 or 8 years of continuous residence in the territory of the kingdom. Among the main conditions - passing the Danish language test, at least 3.5 years of work experience for the last 4 years, no outstanding debts to the state. The application is submitted online with payment of a fee (from 637 to 953 EUR). It is also necessary to submit biometric data by applying to the Citizenship Department of the Danish Immigration Service. The request is processed for up to 8 weeks.
3. Obtaining citizenship. After 9 years of residence in Denmark, you can apply for citizenship electronically with a fee (536 EUR). The applicant must sign a Declaration of Allegiance and Loyalty to the Kingdom, pass citizenship and Danish language tests. Among other requirements - absence of criminal record and debts to the state, permanent employment for the last 4 years. On average, the application is processed for 24 months. After the citizenship request is accepted, you will be issued a certificate of naturalization - it takes place during a ceremony in the municipality where you are registered.
4. Passport issuance. To obtain the first passport, you must provide proof that you are a Danish citizen and pay a fee (240 EUR). You can apply for an ID card at Citizen Service by online pre-registration using your MitID digital identifier. You can check the status of the application via SMS. The passport will be delivered to Citizen Service.

To become a Danish passport holder, you will have to go through a long naturalization process that takes 9 years. Feedback from people who have obtained a second citizenship indicates that bureaucratic obstacles further complicate the path to the desired goal. Cooperation with lawyers helps to obtain an EU passport as quickly and easily as possible. Specialists will find an individual solution for you, which will allow you to obtain European citizenship in 4-14 months. Find out during the consultation all the details of the simplified method of immigration.

How much time and money is needed to obtain a Danish passport

Most foreigners wishing to acquire Danish citizenship will have to undergo standard naturalization, which involves 9 years of continuous residence in the kingdom. A simplified procedure is available for spouses of Danes and refugees. Children who entered the country before they reached the age of 15 can also apply for a national passport after adulthood, without meeting the nine-year residency requirement.

Since the difference in the timeframe between simplified and standard naturalization is from 1 to 3 years, the cost of obtaining citizenship will be almost at the same level. In particular, the total amount of administrative fees for visa, residence permit, permanent residence permit, citizenship and national identity card will be about 2 000 EUR. It should be taken into account that there is a significant difference in the fees for residence permits, as, for example, for employment it is necessary to pay about 811 EUR, and for education and family reunification - 302 EUR.

In addition to administrative fees, the price of naturalization must include the Danish language test (211 EUR) and citizenship test (121 EUR), as well as translation and legalization of documents (approximately 30 EUR per page). Accommodation costs should be considered separately. In 2025 for one person in Denmark will need 1089 EUR per month, for a family of four - 3904 EUR. Monthly rent of a one-room apartment will cost at least 820 EUR, three-room apartments - 1465 EUR.

What doesn't work: how you can't get a Danish passport

The path to Danish citizenship is quite complicated and long, in addition, it is strictly regulated by legislation. All offers about quick and easy obtaining a European passport, bypassing migration procedures - are common scams. If you agree to something like this, you risk a serious conflict with the law.

To prevent this from happening, let's look at the most common misconceptions about obtaining a Danish passport:

1. Possibility to buy citizenship. If you come across an offer to sell “real” ready-made passports, it is undoubtedly a scam. Attempting to use fake documents can result in criminal penalties and the seizure of the fake IDs. Denmark, like other countries of the European Union, does not offer programs for acquiring EU citizenship for investment. In the kingdom, it is only possible to obtain a residence permit through the creation of a company, after which it will be necessary to go through all the stages of naturalization to qualify for a Danish passport.
2. Sham marriage to a Dane - a quick route to a passport. Even in the case of a real marriage to a Danish citizen, foreigners will not automatically be able to obtain a passport. A simplified citizenship procedure after 6 years of residence in the country is available only for a couple whose marriage lasts for 3 years or more. In addition, the state carries out a thorough check of the sincerity of the relationship and the fact of cohabitation. If it turns out that the marriage was concluded for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit, the participants of the scheme will face a fine, and the foreigner - deportation with a further ban on entry into Denmark.
3. Buying real estate in Denmark is enough to qualify for citizenship. Owning a house, apartment or office in Denmark, regardless of the value of the object, in no way brings you closer to a passport of this country. Unlike some European countries, the purchase of real estate in the kingdom is not a basis even for registration of a residence permit. The presence of housing, including rented, is only one of the requirements for applicants for residence permit and citizenship.
4. Giving birth in Denmark entitles the infant to citizenship status. A child born in Denmark does not automatically become a Danish citizen, as in the United States or Canada, for example. The Kingdom adheres to the principle of blood right (jus sanguinis) rather than soil right (jus soli). This means that citizenship is only inherited from Danish parents. If the guardians are foreigners, the child will not receive a passport of the Kingdom of Denmark. The only way is subsequent naturalization through residence permit and long-term residence in the country. An exception exists for children adopted by Danes, as well as those who moved to the country before the age of 15 and received a local education.

For those who plan to obtain a second passport as soon as possible, it is important to choose the right relocation program in accordance with the law. International law lawyers are ready to develop an individual strategy for you, allowing you to strictly within the framework of immigration procedures to become a holder of EU citizenship in 4-14 months. Cooperation with specialists will allow you to successfully pass all stages leading to a European passport, saving time, effort and money. Sign up for a free consultation to get the best solution for immigration.

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Dual citizenship in Denmark: whether it is allowed to hold more than one passport

Denmark has recognized multiple citizenship since 2015. Thus, when naturalizing in the kingdom, you have the opportunity to keep the passport of your country of origin. To become a holder of several national documents, you need to make sure that the other state also allows it. The legislation of some countries (for example, Azerbaijan, Japan, India) has established bans on a second passport, so attempts to obtain it entail the loss of the primary status.

It is important to understand that dual citizenship is possible only if there is a special agreement between the states. The main feature of such status is the possibility to choose the place of military service and tax residency. In Denmark, there are no international treaties on dual citizenship, so its residents can be holders of several passports, choosing which one to use. In this case, each country recognizes you exclusively as its own citizen, applying only its own laws.

Where to get a second passport faster and easier: an overview of alternatives

Obtaining a second citizenship can open up new opportunities for you in different spheres of life - access to better business conditions, more countries for visa-free travel, the right to quality medical and social assistance. The fastest option for acquiring an EU passport is repatriation. Unlike standard naturalization, which in Denmark takes 9 years, simplified programs in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia allow obtaining European citizenship in 4-14 months. In addition, repatriates do not need to learn the language and meet the conditions of financial security.

With an EU passport, regardless of which country it was issued by, you can live and work in any state of the association, including Denmark. To guarantee that you become a European citizen in a short period of time, enlist the support of experienced lawyers. They will help you choose the most suitable immigration program, collect a complete dossier for you and help you go through all the stages of obtaining a second passport without delays. To start your path to EU citizenship, make an appointment for a free consultation right now.