Denmark
ISO2: DK
Danish citizenship by naturalisation through residence: normally 9 years continuous residence, permanent residence permit prerequisite (generally 2 years), listed reductions (e.g., refugees/stateless, Nordic citizens, spouses), constitutional ceremony step, official sources, and dual/multiple nationality policy (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 9.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 27, 2026
- Notes
- Denmark grants citizenship by statute (naturalisation bill passed by Parliament). Normally, applicants must have 9 years of continuous residence in Denmark and must have held a permanent residence permit for at least 2 years when the naturalisation bill is passed. Special residence rules include: 8 years for recognised refugees/equivalent-to-refugees/stateless persons; 2 years for Nordic citizens; 6–8 years for spouses of Danish citizens (depending on marriage length); and 5 years for applicants with substantial Danish-character education in Denmark. After the law is adopted, many applicants must attend a constitutional ceremony in their municipality; the municipality signs/transmits the declaration and the Ministry issues the citizenship certificate.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Renunciation required: NoSpecial cases: Multiple nationality is allowed under Danish rules since 1 September 2015; however, holding multiple nationalities also depends on the other country’s laws. Transitional/exception rules exist in some contexts (see official guidance).
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Denmark generally allows dual/multiple citizenship for naturalisation applicants and does not require renunciation under Danish rules; applicants should verify any renunciation/retention consequences under their other nationality law.
Qualifying residence permits
EU residence right / EU registration certificate (EU rules)
Official guidance notes the permanent-residence permit requirement still applies even if residence is under EU rules; continuous residence is assessed in practice with attention to interruptions.
Counts
Permanent residence permit (permanent opholdstilladelse)
A permanent residence permit is a key prerequisite for naturalisation; generally it must have been held for at least 2 years at the time the bill is passed (1 year for recognised refugees/equivalent-to-refugees/stateless persons).
Counts
Short-stay / visitor status (tourist, visa-free stay)
Does not constitute legal residence for meeting the continuous-residence requirements for naturalisation.
Doesn’t count
Temporary residence permit under the Aliens Act (work/study/family reunification/asylum etc.)
Counts as legal residence toward the continuous-residence requirement, but naturalisation additionally requires meeting the permanent-residence permit prerequisite at the time the bill is passed.
Counts
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Denmark citizenship by naturalisation (application)
Application for Danish citizenship by naturalisation (statutory process; processed by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration).
|
Mandatory | Submit the naturalisation application via the standard digital solution (MitID), unless covered by an exemption for paper-based submission. |
|
Passport / identity document
Valid passport/identity documentation used for identity verification.
|
Mandatory | Identity documentation typically required for the application process and/or ceremony step. |
|
Permanent residence permit (documentation)
Evidence of permanent residence permit and relevant dates (e.g., held 2 years; 1 year for refugees/stateless in listed categories).
|
Mandatory | Generally must have held permanent residence for at least 2 years when the bill is passed (1 year for recognised refugees/equivalent-to-refugees/stateless persons, per listed rule). |
|
Proof of continuous residence (CPR/address history)
Documentation supporting continuous residence in Denmark (e.g., CPR registration/address history and related records).
|
Mandatory | Supports the continuous-residence requirement (normally 9 years; special reduced periods apply for certain categories). |
|
Custody documentation for minors (if applicable)
Documentation of custody if a child under 18 is included as a minor (when required).
|
Optional | Required if a child under 18 is included as a minor and documentation is needed (guidance notes when it can be omitted in some joint-custody situations). |
|
Medical documentation for dispensation (if applicable)
Medical documentation if requesting dispensation from language/test/self-sufficiency conditions.
|
Optional | Required only if requesting dispensation on medical grounds from language/test/self-sufficiency requirements (no standard medical declaration is specified in the guidance). |
Submission offices
Life in Denmark (borger.dk) – Danish citizenship guidance
Online
Official guidance covering the application flow (bills typically twice yearly) and the post-adoption steps including constitutional ceremony and issuance of the citizenship certificate.
Ministry of Immigration and Integration (Citizenship/Naturalisation) – Digital application
NATIONAL
· Copenhagen
Applications for naturalisation are processed by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration; naturalisation applications are submitted using the digital application form (MitID), with limited exemptions for paper-based forms.
Municipality (kommune) – Constitutional ceremony (post-adoption step)
Municipal / Civil Registry
After the naturalisation law enters into force, many applicants must attend a constitutional ceremony in their municipality; the municipality signs/transmits the declaration and the Ministry registers attendance before issuing the citizenship certificate.
Official sources
Life in Denmark (borger.dk) – Conditions for foreign citizens’ acquisition of Danish citizenship
Government
Official conditions: permanent residence permit requirement (generally 2 years; 1 year for refugees/stateless in listed categories) and residence requirement (normally 9 years; special reduced periods for refugees/stateless, Nordic citizens, spouses, education, etc.).
en
Life in Denmark (borger.dk) – Guidance on how to apply for Danish citizenship
Government
Official process: Ministry processing; bills typically twice yearly; post-adoption constitutional ceremony workflow; mandatory document notes (medical dispensation/custody) and fee info (2026).
en
Ministry of Immigration and Integration (UIM) – In English (multiple nationality + naturalisation application pointers)
Government
Official information on multiple nationality (in force since 1 Sep 2015) and guidance links for naturalisation applications (digital form requires MitID; exemptions use paper forms).
en
New to Denmark (nyidanmark.dk) – Permanent residence permit
Government
Official rules about obtaining permanent residence (relevant prerequisite step for naturalisation, which requires holding permanent residence for a period at the time the bill is passed).
en
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 27, 2026
- Travel freedom185.00
- Residency rights31.00
- Quality of life212.20
- Economic freedom79.10
- Tax friendliness20.00
Composite ranking based on visa-free travel count, residency rights index, economic freedom score, quality of life index, taxation score, and net salary (USD) from passport_composite_ranking_top150.csv (2026 dataset).