Family Reunification in Denmark (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Denmark has some of the strictest family-reunification rules in Europe. The requirements are designed to ensure integration and economic self-support.
To reunite with a spouse or partner, both parties must be at least 24 years old. The resident must have held permanent residence or Danish citizenship for at least 3 years. In addition: the attachment requirement (the couple's combined attachment to Denmark must be stronger than to any other country), a bank guarantee of 100,000 kr. (approx. 13,400 euros), suitable housing (at least 20 m²), and the resident must not have received public assistance in the last 3 years.
Children under 15 can be reunited if the child and the resident have a strong attachment to Denmark and the child can be integrated successfully. Children aged 15 to 17 face stricter requirements, including a discretionary assessment of integration prospects.
The application fee is 8,280 kr. (approx. 1,110 euros) for spousal reunification and 3,345 kr. for children. Processing time is typically 5-10 months for spouses and 3-6 months for children.
EU/EEA citizens exercising their right to free movement in Denmark can bring family members under the EU rules, which are less restrictive than the Danish national rules.
When does it apply?
- You are a Danish citizen or have permanent residence and want to bring your spouse to Denmark.
- You want to bring your children under 15 to live with you in Denmark.
- You are an EU/EEA citizen resident in Denmark and want to bring your spouse or children from a country outside the EU.
- You are a recognised refugee and want to reunite with your family (simplified rules may apply for the first 2 years).
What to do if you want your spouse or children to live with you in Denmark
- Check that all conditions are met — both parties must be 24+, the attachment requirement must be met, and you must have held permanent residence or citizenship for at least 3 years.
- Provide the bank guarantee of 100,000 kr. — it is held for 10 years and released if the reunited person passes the Danish language test within a set period.
- Apply online via nyidanmark.dk — attach the marriage certificate, housing documentation, income documentation and the bank-guarantee receipt.
- Make sure your spouse starts Danish and citizenship lessons as soon as possible after arrival — it is part of the integration programme.
- For refugees: apply for family reunification within 2 years of being granted protection status to access the potentially simplified rules.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't apply if either party is under 24 — the application will be automatically refused.
- Don't let your spouse come to Denmark before approval — you must await the residence permit.
- Don't receive public assistance in the 3 years before the application — it disqualifies you as the resident.
- Don't underestimate the attachment requirement — if the couple's combined attachment is stronger to the spouse's home country than to Denmark, the application is refused.
About Immigration & Residence in Denmark
Danish immigration law rests on udlændingeloven (the Aliens Act), administered by Udlændingestyrelsen (the Danish Immigration Service) (and SIRI for work and study). EU/EEA and Swiss citizens have freedom of movement; Nordic citizens need not register at all. Third-country nationals need a residence and work permit — the main routes are the Positivlisten, the Beløbsordningen (Pay Limit Scheme), the Fast-track Scheme and Start-up Denmark. Temporary permits run 2-4 years, permanent residence can be obtained after 8 years (4 years with supplementary conditions), and citizenship after 9 years — with demanding requirements on language, civic understanding and self-support.
Common Questions
What is the Danish attachment requirement?
A requirement that the couple's combined attachment to Denmark must be stronger than to any other country. Both parties must also be at least 24, and the resident must have held permanent residence or Danish citizenship for at least 3 years. If the attachment requirement is not met, the application is refused.
What does Danish family reunification cost?
8,280 kr. (approx. 1,110 euros) for spousal reunification, 3,345 kr. for children. You must also provide a bank guarantee of 100,000 kr. (approx. 13,400 euros), which is held for 10 years and released if the reunited person passes the Danish language test within a set period. The resident must have suitable housing (at least 20 m²) and not have received public assistance for 3 years.
Do the EU family-reunification rules apply differently in Denmark?
Yes. EU/EEA citizens exercising their right to free movement in Denmark can bring family members under the EU rules, which are significantly less restrictive than the Danish national rules. Recognised refugees may also be eligible for simplified rules in the first 2 years after being granted protection status.
What is the family reunification and sponsorship right in Denmark?
Denmark has some of the strictest family-reunification rules in Europe. The requirements are designed to ensure integration and economic self-support.To reunite with a spouse or partner, both parties must be at least 24 years old. The resident must have held permanent residence or Danish citizenship for at least 3 years. In addition: the attachment requirement (the couple's combined attachment to Denmark must be stronger than to any other country), a bank guarantee of 100,000 kr. (approx. 13,400 euros), suitable housing (at least 20 m²), and the resident must not have received public...
When does it apply — family reunification and sponsorship?
You are a Danish citizen or have permanent residence and want to bring your spouse to Denmark.You want to bring your children under 15 to live with you in Denmark.You are an EU/EEA citizen resident in Denmark and want to bring your spouse or children from a country outside the EU.You are a recognised refugee and want to reunite with your family (simplified rules may apply for the first 2 years).
What should I do if I want to apply for family reunification to bring my spouse or children to Denmark?
Check that all conditions are met — both parties must be 24+, the attachment requirement must be met, and you must have held permanent residence or citizenship for at least 3 years.Provide the bank guarantee of 100,000 kr. — it is held for 10 years and released if the reunited person passes the Danish language test within a set period.Apply online via nyidanmark.dk — attach the marriage certificate, housing documentation, income documentation and the bank-guarantee receipt.Make sure your spouse starts Danish and citizenship lessons as soon as possible after arrival — it is part of the...
What should you NOT do — family reunification and sponsorship?
Don't apply if either party is under 24 — the application will be automatically refused.Don't let your spouse come to Denmark before approval — you must await the residence permit.Don't receive public assistance in the 3 years before the application — it disqualifies you as the resident.Don't underestimate the attachment requirement — if the couple's combined attachment is stronger to the spouse's home country than to Denmark, the application is refused.