Family Reunification in Denmark
4 documented routes of this kind in Denmark, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Family reunification - spouse / registered partner / cohabiting partner
Reunification with a spouse, registered partner, or cohabiting partner residing in Denmark.
- Processing time
- Up to 10 months
- Validity
- Tied to sponsor's status, renewable
- Language requirement
- Applicant: Danish A1 within 6 months and A2 within 9 months of arrival
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after 8 years (reduced to 4 with supplementary requirements)
- Citizenship
- 6-8 years for spouses of Danes married at least 3 years; otherwise generally 9 years
Requirements
- Both parties normally aged at least 24
- Valid marriage/registered partnership, or proof of at least 18 months cohabitation
- Sponsor provides independent, adequately-sized housing not in a restricted area
- Sponsor is self-supporting with no specified benefits
- Sponsor generally holds permanent residence (min. 3 years, with exceptions) and passes Prøve i Dansk 3
- Couple meets the collective integration conditions (e.g., 4 of 6)
- Financial guarantee of DKK 61,709.34 (2026) posted by the sponsor
Required Documents
- Passport copies required
- Marriage/partnership certificate or proof of at least 18 months cohabitation required
- Proof of housing required
- Financial-guarantee documentation required
- Language test results required
- Employment/education documentation required
Official fees
- Application fee (2026) 8,490 DKK
- Financial guarantee/collateral (2026) 61,709.34 DKK
Process Steps
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1
Create SB-ID and pay fee
Create an SB-ID and pay DKK 8,490.
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2
Gather documents
Gather all required documents.
-
3
Complete joint application
Complete the joint application online (about 60-70 minutes).
-
4
Submit and biometrics
Submit at a Danish mission or Citizen Service and record biometrics.
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5
Post-arrival language
After arrival, pass Danish A1 within 6 months and A2 within 9 months.
Official Sources
Family reunification - children with a parent in Denmark
Reunification of a child (generally under 18) with a parent residing in Denmark.
- Processing time
- Varies
- Validity
- Tied to the parent's status
- Language requirement
- None for the child at application
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
- Citizenship
- Per Nationality Act conditions
Requirements
- Child generally under 18
- Parent lawfully residing in Denmark on a qualifying basis
- Sponsor meets applicable housing and support conditions
Required Documents
- Passport copies required
- Birth certificate / proof of parentage required
- Fee payment receipt required
Process Steps
-
1
Create SB-ID and pay fee
Create an SB-ID and pay the applicable fee.
-
2
Complete application
Complete the family application.
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3
Submit and biometrics
Submit and record biometrics.
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4
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
Family reunification - other family members
Reunification of other family members (e.g., parents) granted only in exceptional circumstances.
- Processing time
- Varies
- Validity
- Case-by-case
- Language requirement
- Per applicable rules
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
- Citizenship
- Per Nationality Act conditions
Requirements
- Exceptional circumstances justifying reunification
- Sponsor lawfully residing in Denmark
Required Documents
- Passport copies required
- Documentation of the family relationship and exceptional circumstances required
Process Steps
-
1
Create SB-ID and pay fee
Create an SB-ID and pay the applicable fee.
-
2
Complete application and submit
Complete the application, submit, and record biometrics.
-
3
Decision
Await the decision.
Official Sources
Family reunification - spouse/partner of a refugee in Denmark
Special, more favourable family reunification rules for spouses/partners of refugees in defined situations.
- Processing time
- Varies
- Validity
- Tied to the sponsor's status
- Language requirement
- Per applicable rules
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for permanent residence after qualifying continuous residence
- Citizenship
- Per Nationality Act conditions
Requirements
- Sponsor holds refugee/protection status in Denmark
- Qualifying spousal/partner relationship
- Defined situations under the more favourable rules
Required Documents
- Passport copies (if available)
- Proof of relationship required
- Documentation of the sponsor's protection status required
Process Steps
-
1
Create SB-ID
Create an SB-ID and start the application.
-
2
Complete and submit
Complete the application, submit, and record biometrics.
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3
Decision
Await the decision.