Registration and receipt of Danish citizenship

What are the benefits of Danish citizenship?

The procedure for migrants to obtain citizenship of small Denmark cannot be called easy. But many immigrants are ready to go through a difficult path to take citizenship of this country. After all, it promises them considerable advantages:

Legal residence in any EU state.
Free movement in 200 countries without visa restrictions.
Opportunity to work in the EU as a European.
Receiving high salaries and pensions.
Education available free of charge to residents of Denmark.
Quality medical care.
High unemployment benefits.
Maintain current citizenship.

In addition, immigration to Denmark gives immigrants the opportunity to live among the happiest people, who, according to European statistics in recent years, are considered to be the Danes.

How to obtain Danish citizenship for a Russian citizen

To get to Denmark and obtain citizenship of the country, you must go through a multi-stage registration procedure. It includes:

Visa application.
Registration of a temporary residence permit.
Obtaining a permanent residence permit.
Passing the language proficiency exam
Renunciation of second citizenship.
Collection and preparation of documents for obtaining citizenship.

We will analyze the entire immigration procedure to Denmark step by step.

Visa application. Depending on the purpose of your visit to the country, you will be offered the following visas: tourist, study, work, Schengen. You can apply for permission to enter the country online.

Obtaining a residence permit. A residence permit in Denmark is granted for one year. Upon its expiration, it will be necessary to extend the residence permit.

To obtain a residence permit, you will need to provide the following package of documents to the Danish Embassy:

international passport:
a document explaining the purpose of staying in the kingdom (this could be a marriage certificate, an employment contract, a contract with a company);
application for a residence permit in 2 copies;
3 photos 3x4 cm;
receipt of payment of the consular fee.

After re-extending the temporary residence permit, the immigrant receives the right to obtain a permanent one.

Obtaining a permanent residence permit. Before granting an applicant a permanent residence permit, the immigration service takes into account:

availability of living space;
level of language proficiency;
data on debts and criminal records.

Having received a permanent residence permit, an immigrant must live in the kingdom for at least 9 years. During the given period, the person is obliged to deepen his knowledge of the official language and culture of the country, find a job, and purchase real estate.

Passing language proficiency exams. After 9 years of residence in Denmark, the applicant again takes an exam on knowledge of the language, as well as the cultural and political situation in the country. A successful interview with examiners opens the way to citizenship.

Renunciation of second citizenship. To become a Danish citizen, a Russian must renounce foreign citizenship. This can be done without leaving the country, through the Russian Embassy in Denmark.

Collection and preparation of documents. At this stage, you must provide the immigration service with reliable information about yourself and your origin. It is worth noting that a divorce from a Danish citizen can slow down or stop the process of paperwork.

Ways to obtain Danish citizenship for Russians in 2021

The Danish Citizenship Act is the main legislation governing the right of visitors to obtain the much-coveted citizenship. In addition to this, there is the Consolidated Law on Citizenship, adopted in 2003.

In 2021, Danish legal acts provide for a number of ways to obtain citizenship:

Birth.
Creating a family with a resident of Denmark.
Naturalization.
Investments.
Reunion with relatives.
Shelter.

Citizenship by birth and descent

Obtaining citizenship on this basis is available to young children if they:

Born of Danish nationals. Such babies are granted status automatically, regardless of their place of birth.
Found in any part of the Kingdom if parents or guardians cannot be found.
Adopted by Danish nationals if they are under 12 years of age.

To obtain citizenship for a child, his representatives should submit to the immigration service:

Children's passport.
Birth certificate.
Photo 3x4 cm.
Petition.
Parents' marriage certificate.
Passports of adult representatives.
Housing data.
Guarantees of the financial viability of parents.

When submitting an application for status, you need to pay a state fee of 80 euros. The wait for a decision will take from 6 to 12 months.

Citizenship through marriage

To emigrate to Denmark and obtain Danish citizenship, it is not enough to simply enter into a marriage agreement. A married couple must comply with certain conditions:

One of the newlyweds must have Danish citizenship.
At the time of the marriage, spouses must be at least 24 years old.
The spouse applying for citizenship must have a current residence permit in the Kingdom of Denmark.
It is necessary to prove to the immigration authorities that the newlyweds are running a household together. Their acquisition of common property in Denmark plays a positive role in their decision-making.
Spouses must have housing with an area of at least 20 m2 each.
The marriage relationship must last for at least two years.

If the family union breaks up, or immigration services suspect the relationship is fictitious, the foreigner will have to forget about obtaining citizenship. In addition, violators will face fines, and a spouse from another country will face deportation with a ban on entry in the future.

The following must be attached to the application:

Autobiography.
A copy of the internal passport of current citizenship.
International passport.
Valid residence permit.
Marriage certificate.
Confirmation of no criminal record.
Exam results confirming knowledge of the state language.
Documents about living space.
Information about the financial security of the Danish spouse.
Spouse's personal card.
Two photos of the applicant 3 by 4 cm.

The state fee is 150 euros. Immigration authorities make a decision within a year.

Naturalization

The most popular way to move to live in Denmark and eventually acquire its citizenship is naturalization. This process varies in duration. The applicant will have to live in Denmark on an official basis for at least 9 years.

For Russians, the citizenship package includes:

Statement.
A copy of your internal passport.
Autobiography.
International passport.
Proof of good conduct.
Valid residence permit.
Language exam result.
Two photographs of 3x4 cm format.
Data on marital status and children.
Documents on the purchase or rental of housing.
A certificate stating that the applicant has not used social assistance over the previous 4.5 years.
Evidence of creditworthiness: contract with employer, income information, bank statements.
Copies of diplomas.
Confirmation of absence of tax debts.

The state fee for filing an application for naturalization of citizenship is 150 euros. The standard review period is approximately one year.

Citizenship by Investment

Persons who are ready to pour money into its economy have the right to immigrate to Denmark for permanent residence. Financial injections will allow, under a simplified program, to obtain a legal basis for life, and in the future, citizenship.

The program provides for certain conditions:

The minimum investment amount must be 50 thousand euros.
The type of activity of the company must be approved by experts of the Chamber of Commerce.
The enterprise must be profitable.
It is necessary to pay taxes on time and create jobs for local residents.

The investor must provide a set of documents with a request for citizenship, including:

Citizenship through family reunification

Persons whose immediate relatives are residents of Denmark have the right to count on long-awaited citizenship. The narrow circle of lucky ones includes:

Young children;
Parents;
Spouses.

The set of papers for acquiring citizenship under this program includes:

International passport.
Internal passport.
Autobiography.
Consent of the host party to the relocation of relatives.
Data on living space based on 12 m2 per person.
Financial guarantees from the host relative.
Certificate of good conduct.
Current residence permit.
Two photos 3x4 cm.
Certificate of successful completion of the language test.
Documents confirming relationship.

The state fee for this program will be 150 euros. The result of the consideration of the application will have to wait at least a year.

Refugee

Denmark is reluctant to accept refugees. Asylum applicants face a difficult procedure. The most difficult thing is to prove to the authorities that there are compelling reasons for obtaining the status. And only after 5 years of permanent life in Denmark do refugees have the opportunity to apply for citizenship.

At the same time, unlike its closest neighbors, Denmark does not make discounts for refugees in matters of assimilation. Their children may be forcibly sent to boarding schools to learn the language and cultural foundations of the country.

To obtain citizenship, a refugee must provide:

Autobiography.
International passport.
Immigration history.
Certificate of passing the language test.
Confirmation of no criminal record.
Documents on living space based on 20 m2 per person.
Information about income in excess of the provided social assistance.
Evidence of family composition.
Photographs measuring 3x4 cm.

There is no state fee for filing an application for citizenship by a refugee. The standard processing time for an application is about 12 months.

Required documents

Registration of Danish citizenship is impossible without first collecting and preparing all the necessary documentation. The required documents for Danish citizenship are presented below:

Original and copies of foreign and internal passport;
Original and copy of birth certificate;
Application for Danish citizenship (the form is issued at the place of submission of documents, drawn up in Danish in person by the applicant for citizenship);
1 visa (3.5 by 4.5 format) and 1 portrait photograph taken shortly before submitting the application;
A detailed autobiography of the applicant (in Danish);
Document on the conclusion or dissolution of a marriage union;
A diploma or certificate confirming a sufficient level of proficiency in the Danish language, obtained on the basis of successfully passing an exam;
Documents indicating that the applicant has his own or long-term rented housing: Purchase and sale agreement;
Lease contract;
A receipt from the host party, if housing is provided by relatives or third parties;

Diplomas and certificates indicating the previous education of the applicant for Danish citizenship;

Residence permit valid at the time of submission of documents;

Acts confirming the existence of grounds for granting citizenship of the European state in question:

Documentary evidence of Danish origin (ancestral documents, Danish birth certificate, etc.);

Addresses of places of residence and other details that directly or indirectly prove that the applicant has lived in the territory of the state in question for sufficient time;

Application from relatives for consent for a Russian citizen to move to Denmark for permanent residence;

Certificate from the place of work in the territory of the state in question indicating the actual level of wages for the last 5 years;

A document proving that the applicant has no problems with the laws of his host country;

A bank statement certifying a sufficient amount of financial resources in the applicant’s individual account.

Documents, if necessary, are translated into Danish and submitted as a single package. But where to apply for Danish citizenship status? If a Russian citizen is in the Russian Federation, he should contact the consular section of the Danish Embassy in Moscow. Residents located in Denmark should contact the migration services at their place of actual residence.

Documents for the child

If applicants have minor children who are moving to Denmark with their parents or guardians, the minors' legal representatives must prepare documents from the list below:

Foreign passport of each of the children involved;
A birth certificate for each child and, if minors reach the age of 14, an internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
Certificate of attendance at kindergarten, school or college;
In some cases, permission from the guardianship and trusteeship authorities to move to another state with the child;
Act on the adoption of offspring, if they are brought up in a foster family;
2 photographs of the child (visa and portrait);
Power of attorney and written permission to move a minor if the child moves independently (as part of the educational program) or accompanied by only one of the parents.

Documents for a minor child are submitted in a single package with documentation of his adult accompanying persons. In the absence of at least one necessary document, consideration of the request of a citizen of the Russian Federation for Danish citizenship is suspended.

Price

When applying for Danish citizenship, the applicant is required to pay a state fee. The state fee for reviewing documentation for the granting of Danish citizenship for the period 2018 is 150 euros. However, the applicant will have to pay separately for the services of the embassy of the country in question. As a result, obtaining citizenship in Russia will cost approximately 500 euros, in Denmark - 1,000 euros.

Term

After submitting documents, it usually takes 1 year before you officially become a Danish citizen. If there is a need for re-examination or additional verification of documents, this period may double. During the review of the documentation provided by the applicant, the citizen may be called to the place where the application was submitted for an additional interview. Failure to appear is considered a violation of the applicant's obligations for Danish citizenship and an attempt to conceal information, which may lead to the refusal of the application.

If the final decision is made in favor of the author of the petition, a registered letter is sent to him (to the address indicated in the application) with an invitation to take the oath to the Danish Crown. After the above procedure, the Russian becomes a full citizen of Denmark.

Dual citizenship in Denmark

When joining the ranks of Danish citizens, it is not at all necessary to renounce Russian citizenship. Like most EU countries, Denmark allows you to maintain dual citizenship, but subject to timely notification of migration services. It is not difficult to inform the Danish migration services about your decision regarding Russian citizenship. It is enough to attach to the main package of documents for citizenship an application to retain original citizenship.

However, we should not forget that the Russian side must also be notified of the acquisition of additional citizenship by a citizen of the Russian Federation. Within 2 months after taking the oath to the Danish crown, a Russian is obliged to notify the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and migration services in a separate letter. If this is not done, this person will have to pay the state a considerable fine, the amount of which in 2018 is equal to the average annual earnings (that is, approximately 200,000 rubles), or work about 400 hours in forced labor.

Is dual citizenship possible between Russia and Denmark?

Denmark and Russia are not connected by a common historical past, so there is no agreement on dual citizenship between them. But this does not mean that new citizens cannot have two passports.

Today, when a foreigner obtains citizenship, he has the right to retain residence in his homeland, if it does not prohibit having two documents. In addition, according to the new law, those who were forced to renounce it before 2015 have the right to return their native citizenship.

The only requirement is the need to notify the Danish immigration authorities about maintaining citizenship of your homeland.

A citizen of Russia is obliged, before the expiration of 60 days after taking the oath of oath to Denmark, to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation about the acceptance of its citizenship. Upon returning home, the violator will face a fine of 200,000 rubles or 400 hours of forced labor.

Possibility of obtaining dual citizenship

When receiving the status of a Danish citizen, Russians do not have to renounce the citizenship of their homeland. The Kingdom, like many European countries, allows people to leave their previous citizenship by notifying the migration department. To do this, you must attach an application to the main list of documents with a request to retain your previous citizenship.

But the Russian authorities must also be notified that a person has received a new status. After taking the oath, the Russian must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation by letter within two months. Otherwise, according to Russian legislation, you will have to pay a fine in the amount of the average salary for the year (about 200 thousand rubles), or perform compulsory work for up to 400 hours.

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Is it possible to buy Danish citizenship?

In the literal sense of the word, citizenship cannot be purchased in Denmark. But for wealthy individuals, there are ways in which investing certain amounts in the economy gives them the right to legalization, and subsequently residency in Denmark.

Startup organization. To do this, you need to formalize your idea, write a business plan and get approval from a special commission. Application evaluation lasts 6 weeks. You can submit it through the website www.startupdenmark.info. If the idea is approved, the investor himself and his relatives can obtain the right to legal residence, provided that they have funds for the first year. The amount for spouses is 263,200 crowns; if there are children in the family, it rises to 306,500 crowns.
Opening a company. In this case, 373,107 kroner will have to be contributed to any of the economic sectors of Denmark, jobs will be created, real activities will be carried out and taxes will be paid.

Unlike some of its neighbors, Denmark does not allow migrants to claim citizenship if they have purchased property. But own housing can have a positive impact on the course of consideration of the application, since it indirectly confirms the seriousness of the applicant’s intentions to become a citizen of Denmark and permanently reside on its territory.

Alternative option for moving to Denmark

Denmark, which has a high standard of living even by European standards, undoubtedly attracts migrants from Eastern Europe, including the Russian Federation. However, the process of preparing documents, as well as collecting evidence for the right to join the ranks of Danish citizens, is complicated due to the careful monitoring of external migration by the Danish authorities.

However, there is an alternative way for Russians to move to Denmark - obtaining citizenship of any country from the European Union. The Eurozone has had a program for simplified registration of dual European citizenship for many years. An EU citizen receives the right to Danish citizenship within 3 years after moving to this country for permanent residence.

But how can a standard Russian citizen become a citizen of the European Union?

The easiest way to obtain Romanian citizenship. This procedure is simple and does not require large financial and time costs - documents are reviewed within a year, and the consular fee does not exceed 70 euros. Moreover, the applicant does not have to move to Romania and study the state language, which in itself is a significant advantage for Russians. You can also apply for Romanian citizenship without leaving the country - by contacting the consular department of the embassy of this European state in Moscow, St. Petersburg or Yekaterinburg. Citizens located in Romania are advised to contact the Ministry of Justice in Bucharest or Iasi directly.

To apply for Romanian citizenship, the following package of documents is required:

Foreign and internal passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
Birth certificate;
Acts indicating the absence of violations of the law on the territory of Russia and Romania (certificates from the Ministry of Internal Affairs);
Statement of decision to acquire Romanian citizenship;
4 passport photographs, color, format – 3.5 by 4.5, close-up of the face and a light background (not blue);
Certificate of marriage or divorce (if available);
Acts on the applicant’s natural or adopted children, if they have not reached the age of majority;
Application for a decision on dual citizenship or renunciation of Russian citizenship;
Acts proving that the applicant has the right to obtain Romanian citizenship:

Documents from relatives confirming the Romanian origin of the person;
An act of legal marriage with a citizen of Romania;
Documents indicating long-term residence (more than 5 years) on Romanian territory;
Archival documentation of ancestors who lived on the territory of Old Romania (modern Romania, Moldova, Ukrainian Northern Bukovina) until 1940 inclusive.

Documents are submitted in a single package, accompanied by relevant photocopies, translated and legalized if necessary.

Comparison of Danish citizenship with Romanian citizenship

Romania, like Denmark, is a full member of the European Union. In order to find out which of these citizenships is more profitable for a Russian to obtain, a small analytical comparison should be carried out:

Denmark

Romania

Duration of residence in a given state required to grant citizenship

9 years – in the standard case, 2 years for investors, 5 – in case of marriage with a resident of Denmark

Residence in Romania is not a prerequisite for granting citizenship

The period after which documents for applying for citizenship are considered

Residence permit as a prerequisite for obtaining citizenship

You must live on a residence permit for at least 5 years

Level of knowledge of the official language of the state to which the Russian citizen takes citizenship

At the level of communication and above. Documentary evidence required

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Protection of civil rights, provision of social and medical benefits

Carried out at the place of actual residence

Provided if the citizen lives in Romania or any other EU country

Visa-free visits to the countries of the European Union and the Schengen area

Allowed, borders in the EU are arbitrary

Allowed due to the conventions of the Schengen zone borders

A simplified program for obtaining dual citizenship of the Eurozone for citizens of this state

Applies to the entire EU except Luxembourg and the Netherlands

Romania is a full participant in this program

Opportunity to work and study in any country in the Eurozone

EU citizens have the right to priority employment, education at universities - either free or with a discount of up to 30-40%

Benefits correspond to those provided to Danish nationals

Possibility of maintaining the status of a Russian citizen

According to the results of the analysis, we can conclude that the easiest and most inexpensive way to move to Europe is to obtain Romanian citizenship. A Romanian citizen has the right to work, study and live unhindered in Denmark. If necessary, a resident with Romanian civil documents can obtain Danish citizenship 3 years after entering this European state.

Denmark is notable for its open immigration policy. Anyone can get a visa and see the sights of this northern state. A high standard of living, a visa-free regime with EU countries, and decent wages annually attract a large flow of foreigners to Denmark.

Who can be denied Danish citizenship?

Despite all the efforts made by the applicant, he may be denied the desired citizenship. The Danish authorities highly value the trustworthiness of applicants and the benefits that they can bring to the state.

A special Committee under the Danish Parliament can approve the acquisition of citizenship. Its members scrupulously check all submitted papers. Reasons for refusal to obtain citizenship may be:

Suspicions of a fictitious marriage.
Fines totaling CZK 3,000 for non-compliance with traffic rules.
Identified signs of data falsification.
Failure to comply with immigration requirements.

Criteria for applicants

The legislation contains requirements for applicants to obtain a country's passport. The Danish authorities have established the conditions for obtaining citizenship:

At least 18 years of age.
Intent for permanent residence.
Availability of a permanent residence permit document, residential property, official work, stable income or other income.
Financial solvency. The person must not have received social benefits in the last 5 years before submitting the application.
Proficiency in Danish at a conversational level.
Strict compliance with local laws, no criminal record in other countries.
No debts or other financial obligations.

Prohibition on acquiring citizenship

The following persons should not apply for citizenship:

Repeatedly committed violations of the migration rules of Denmark or other European countries.
Those who have a criminal record and are being prosecuted in criminal cases in their own state.
Wanted by Interpol, known to have connections with criminals and terrorists.
Military personnel of another country, or serving in special departments.
Persons who have received a request for extradition to another country.

With such conditions, the migration service clearly refuses to obtain Danish status.

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Danish Consulates in Russia

To obtain a visa to Denmark or consult on citizenship issues, Russians have the right to contact existing official representative offices:

Embassy of Denmark. The diplomatic mission is located in Moscow at the address: Prechistensky pereulok, 9. Telephone for information: +7 (495)7750193.
Visa Center. Located in St. Petersburg at the address: Nekrasova Street, 27. You can get a consultation by phone: +7 (812) 4384216.

The Danish Consulate, which previously operated in St. Petersburg, has been officially closed since 2018.

Obtaining the desired citizenship in small Denmark is not easy. She is very careful about new subjects. But if a migrant has a positive reputation, is able to bring benefits to Denmark and assimilate into local society, the issue of obtaining citizenship may well be resolved positively by the Danish authorities.

Procedure

The Danish authorities have determined the sequence of actions to obtain citizenship of the kingdom:

Applying for a visa to Schengen or Denmark.
Obtaining a temporary residence permit document depending on the purpose of your stay in the country. The paper is drawn up at the Danish diplomatic mission in Russia. The interview with the applicant is carried out in English.
Permanent residence with a residence permit for at least 6 years, passing an exam on knowledge and proficiency in the Danish language.
Registration of an indefinite residence permit with subsequent residence for an unlimited time.

Preparation of documents

After three years of residence in Denmark with an indefinite residence permit, a permanent resident must again undergo a language proficiency test. If the result is positive and the other conditions are met, the person can apply for Danish citizenship.

The package of documents for citizenship with translated copies consists of:

Autobiography of the applicant in the language of the kingdom.
Certificates: about registration, financial solvency, availability of permanent housing, income and employment.
Copies of Russian passport and residence permit.
Certificate of passing the Danish language proficiency exam.
Certificates: no violations of the law, no criminal record in Russia, no debts.
2 photographs measuring 3x4 cm.
Additional documents (university diploma, birth certificate of children, marriage certificate, contract with the employer).

Submission of documents

A complete package of prepared papers is submitted to the Danish Migration Department of the region where the applicant lives. There you will be given a citizenship application form. It must be submitted with the rest of the documents and completed in Danish.

Cost and terms

Before sending documents, you must pay a state fee of 150 euros. The amount of the fee depends on the basis for obtaining citizenship and other conditions. The payment receipt must be attached to the general package of papers.

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The standard period for receiving a response from the migration service for registration of citizen status is 1 year. If additional checks are required, the specified time may increase. The candidate may be rescheduled for an interview to clarify information.

Attention! If the decision is positive, the applicant must take an oath of allegiance to the people and the King of Denmark.