Family Reunification Under Danish National Law
Strict requirements on housing, income, age and integration. We assess your case under Udlændingeloven, prepare a strong application, and support you through CPR, MitID, NemKonto, and integration once approved.
A complex process, done right
Bringing your loved ones to Denmark is one of the most important steps in building a new life. Family reunification under Danish national law (Udlændingeloven) is complex and full of strict requirements relating to housing, income, age, integration, and ties to Denmark.
At Nordic Relocators Denmark we simplify this process. We recommend every client begins with our Family Reunification Assessment Tool, which checks your eligibility under Danish law, identifies risks, and gives you a clear overview of your chances before you invest time and money in an application.
Start with our Family Reunification Assessment Tool to check your eligibility before you apply.
Main categories of family reunification
Spouses and registered partners
Married couples or registered partnerships.
- Both spouses must be at least 24 years old (the 24-year rule).
- Adequate housing meeting the boligkrav.
- Sponsor must meet the forsørgelseskrav (stable income, no recent reliance on public benefits).
- Proof of genuine marriage/partnership.
- Commitment to integration (Danish language and society).
Cohabiting partners (unmarried couples)
Couples who have lived together in a stable relationship for at least 18–24 months. Same housing, income, and age rules as spouses.
- Must provide proof of shared residence and relationship stability.
Children
Children of Danish citizens, permanent residents, or long-term permit holders.
- Children under 15 are normally eligible.
- Children 15–18 may qualify in special cases (dependency, integration prospects).
- Proof of custody and parental consent if only one parent is in Denmark.
- Adequate housing for the whole family.
- Adopted children: eligible with proper documents and compliance with Danish law.
Parents and other family members
Very restrictive under Danish national law. Low approval rates, and strong evidence is required.
- Parents may only be granted residence if special dependency can be proven (e.g., serious illness or disability requiring daily care).
- Extended family (siblings, adult children, relatives) only in exceptional humanitarian cases.
- Medical or dependency documentation required.
- Proof that care cannot reasonably be provided in the home country.
Refugees and beneficiaries of protection
Refugees with asylum in Denmark can apply to bring family.
- Normally possible after 3 years of residence.
- In exceptional humanitarian cases, earlier reunification may be allowed.
- Family members must prove identity and relationship through official documents.
- Income requirements may be relaxed for recognised refugees.
Permanent residents and long-term permit holders
Holders of work permits, study permits, or permanent residence can apply.
- Must still meet housing and income conditions.
- Proof of integration efforts (employment, language courses).
- Applications assessed case by case, especially for students or short-term workers.
Key legal requirements
Housing requirement (boligkrav)
- Adequate living space per person (varies by municipality).
- Housing must be long-term and in the sponsor’s name.
- Temporary subleases or overcrowded housing are usually rejected.
Maintenance requirement (forsørgelseskrav)
- Sponsor must show stable income.
- No reliance on public welfare (kontanthjælp, integrationsydelse) in recent years.
- Must be tax-compliant with records from SKAT.
- In some cases, a financial guarantee may be required.
Age requirement (24-year rule)
Both spouses must be at least 24 years old. Purpose: prevent forced marriages, but it also impacts genuine couples. Exceptions: rare humanitarian grounds.
Integration requirement
- Proof of Danish language ability (Danskuddannelse 1, 2, or 3).
- Signing an integration declaration.
- Participation in Danish society through work, study, or community engagement.
Ties requirement
Authorities may demand proof that your ties to Denmark are stronger than ties to another country, evaluated based on residence history, family links, and employment.
Practical steps after approval
Once family reunification is granted:
CPR number
Mandatory for healthcare, schooling, banking, and taxation.
MitID
Digital identity for online services and government communication.
NemKonto
Bank account linked to CPR for salary and benefits.
Healthcare access
Yellow card issued for doctor and hospital services.
Schooling & daycare
Free public education and subsidised childcare available.
Language courses
Danskuddannelse tracks offered by municipalities.
Appeals and legal remedies
If SIRI rejects an application, applicants can appeal to the Immigration Appeals Board (Udlændingenævnet). Judicial review in Danish courts is possible in cases involving legal interpretation. Professional legal support is highly recommended for appeals.
Common challenges families face
- Income threshold: Hard to meet with short-term jobs or low salaries.
- Housing in high-demand cities: Securing a long-term tenancy in Copenhagen or Aarhus.
- 24-year age rule: Couples under 24 blocked from applying.
- Refugee identity documents: Difficulty providing for family abroad.
- Long processing times: Often 10–18 months.
Alternative route: relocating to Sweden
If Denmark’s strict requirements cannot be met, many families consider relocation to Sweden, where rules are less restrictive.
No 24-year rule for spouses. Easier housing and income thresholds compared to Denmark. Migrationsverket allows spouses, partners, children, and sometimes parents to join. After living in Sweden, families may later consider moving back to Denmark once eligible.
Why choose Nordic Relocators Denmark
- Specialist knowledge: Experts in family reunification under Danish national law.
- Full-service assistance: From immigration paperwork to housing, banking, and schooling.
- Digital tools: Secure portal for document uploads and application tracking.
- Multilingual support: Danish, English, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Punjabi, and more.
- Trusted network: Partnerships with housing providers, lawyers, and integration centres.
Start your family reunification journey
Family reunification in Denmark is complex but possible with the right guidance. We help families prepare strong applications, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve a smooth transition into Danish society.
Contact us todayDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules in Denmark change frequently, so always seek professional advice before filing. Nordic Relocators Denmark provides relocation support and immigration guidance but does not replace independent legal representation where required.