Danish Citizenship

There are several avenues for applying for Danish citizenship. Please select the option below that suits your situation.

Danish Nationals Born Abroad - The 22-Year Rule - Retention of Danish Nationality

As a general rule, Danish nationals born abroad lose their Danish nationality when reaching the age of 22. However, retention (if you are between 21 and 22) of Danish nationality may be granted provided certain conditions are fulfilled.

Retention of Danish Nationality

If you are between the ages of 21 and 22 you can apply to retain your Danish nationality. According to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration (in Danish only), retention may be granted in the following cases:

If you have been a resident in Denmark before the age of 22
The Danish authorities generally consider a continuous stay of minimum 3 months as sufficient to meet this requirement. It is a requirement that you were registered in the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR) during your stay.
If you were visiting Denmark before the age of 22
The total of all visits, under circumstances indicating some association with Denmark, must add up to at least one year.

Even if you do not meet the two conditions mentioned above, you may still be granted retention of Danish nationality. The Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration assesses all applications individually. Among other things they will consider:

The total duration of your visits to Denmark (is it close to one year)
Do your visits indicate some association with Denmark; e.g. are they relatively recent or did they occur many years ago
How many times did you visit Denmark
Knowledge of the Danish language (the Embassy of Denmark in Ottawa or one of our consulates may be requested to conduct an interview with you in Danish)
Association to Denmark through contact with Danish relatives or through Danish associations in Canada

Your application must reach the Embassy of Denmark in Ottawa or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration no later than the day before you turn 22. If you apply after you turn 22, you must apply for proof of Danish nationality. You can read more about this further down on this page.

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Application form and Payment of Processing Fee
A completed application form is a requirement for an admissible application.

The processing fee of DKK 1200 to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration must be paid using the registration number (registreringsnummer) and account number (kontonummer) listed here. (in Danish only)

The address of the bank is as follows:

Danske Bank, Statens betalinger
Girostrøget 1
0800 Høje Taastrup

Please note that your CPR-number or full name must be included with the payment.

Please note that the above banking information was current on January 1st 2023. It is highly recommended that you verify this information directly with the authorities in Denmark, as changes may happen without the embassy being notified.

Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found in section 5 of the application form. Please click here for an unofficial translation of the document checklist.

For a quick and efficient processing, you must collect all the required documents in the checklist before you submit your application. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your file.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.

Neither the Embassy of Denmark in Canada nor the Danish consulates in Canada are responsible for any problems you may incur as a result of insufficient documentation.

Step 3: Submit the Application
You can send the application and documents directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration in Denmark at the following address:

Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet
Slotsholmsgade 10
DK-1216 København K
Denmark

Alternatively, you can submit your application through the Danish Embassy or one of the Danish consulates in Canada. Please note that if you choose to submit your application this way, there is an additional handling fee payable to the Danish Embassy or the consulate. The handling fee must be paid in the form of a certified cheque or money order issued to the hand-in mission, or in cash. The fee schedule can be found here.

The handling fee covers the Embassy or Consulate’s involvement in the following steps:

Reception of application form and possible supporting documents. Embassy or consulate signature and date of reception on the application form. Embassy and consulates are not responsible for checking contents.
Hand out of receipt.
Shipment to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.
Reception of the decision from the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.
Hand out of the decision to client or shipment to client by courier/registered mail according to agreement and paid for separately by the client.

If You Have Questions

Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local Danish time).
Email: [email protected]

Danish Nationals Born Abroad - The 22-year Rule - Proof of Danish Nationality

As a general rule, Danish nationals born abroad lose their Danish nationality when reaching the age of 22. However, proof (if you are older than 22) of Danish nationality may be granted provided certain conditions are fulfilled.

Proof of Danish Nationality

If you are older than 22 you can apply for proof of Danish nationality. According to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration (in Danish only), proof may be granted in the following cases:

If you have been a resident in Denmark before the age of 22
The Danish authorities generally consider a continuous stay of minimum 3 months as sufficient to meet this requirement. It is a requirement that you were registered in the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR) during your stay.
If you were visiting Denmark before the age of 22
The total of all visits, under circumstances indicating some association with Denmark, must add up to at least one year.

If you apply after reaching the age of 22, the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration does not make an individual assessment of your application. Hence, if you do not fulfil one of the two conditions listed above, you will not be granted proof of Danish nationality.

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Application form and Payment of Processing Fee
A completed application form is a requirement for an admissible application.

The processing fee of DKK 1200 to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration must be paid using the registration number (registreringsnummer) and account number (kontonummer) listed here. (in Danish only).

The address of the bank is as follows:

Danske Bank, Statens betalinger
Girostrøget 1
0800 Høje Taastrup

Please note that your CPR-number or full name must be included with the payment.

Please note that the above banking information was current on January 1st 2023. It is highly recommended that you verify this information directly with the authorities in Denmark, as changes may happen without the embassy being notified.

Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found in section 5 of the application form. Please click here for an unofficial translation of the document checklist.

For a quick and efficient processing, you must collect all the required documents in the checklist before you submit your application. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your file.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.

Neither the Embassy of Denmark in Canada nor the Danish consulates in Canada are responsible for any problems you may incur as a result of insufficient documentation.

Step 3: Submit the Application
You can send the application and documents directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration in Denmark at the following address:

Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet
Slotsholmsgade 10
DK-1216 København K
Denmark

Alternatively, you can submit your application through the Danish Embassy or one of the Danish consulates in Canada. Please note that if you choose to submit your application this way, there is an additional handling fee payable to the Danish Embassy or the consulate. The handling fee must be paid in the form of a certified cheque or money order issued to the hand-in mission, or in cash. The fee schedule can be found here.

The handling fee covers the Embassy or Consulate’s involvement in the following steps:

Reception of application form and possible supporting documents. Embassy or consulate signature and date of reception on the application form. Embassy and consulates are not responsible for checking contents
Hand out of receipt
Shipment to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration
Reception of the decision from the Ministry of Immigration and Integration
Hand out of the decision to client or shipment to client by courier/registered mail according to agreement and paid for separately by the client

If additional case processing by the embassy or consulates is required, e.g. if documents are missing or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has additional questions to the client, an additional hourly fee shall be charged as stated in the fee schedule mentioned above.

If You Have Questions
Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local time).
Email: [email protected]

Children Born out of Wedlock to a Danish Father and a Mother of Foreign Nationality

Children born abroad out of wedlock to a Danish father and a mother of foreign nationality between October 11, 1993 and June 30, 2014 (both days included) did not obtain Danish nationality by birth. As an alternative, children born under these circumstances are able to apply for Danish nationality by naturalization without meeting the general requirements. It is a condition that the father was a Danish citizen at the time of the child’s birth. More information about this process is available here (in Danish only).

If the parents married before the child turned 18 and if the child was unmarried, the child will automatically obtain Danish nationality from the date of the marriage. However, please note that children born abroad must apply for retention of their Danish citizenship before the age of 22. For further information, please visit the corresponding section on this website.

If a child is born abroad out of wedlock to a Danish father and a mother of foreign nationality before October 11, 1993, and if the parents remained unmarried, the child cannot obtain Danish nationality without meeting the general requirements. Children born on or after July 1, 2014 automatically obtain Danish nationality by birth if the father or mother is Danish – regardless of whether the parents are married or not.

When you apply for Danish nationality by naturalization without meeting the general requirements, it is not a requirement that you reside in Denmark at the time of the application. Nor is it a requirement that you pass the Danish citizenship test, including the language test.

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Application form and Payment of Fee
A completed application form and payment of the non-refundable processing fee of DKK 3800 is a requirement for an admissible application. The fee of DKK 3800 is only for applicants aged 18 or older. If the applicant is under 18, there is no fee for the application.

The fee must be paid directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found on page 2 in the application form. You can find an unofficial translation of the checklist here.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.

Neither the Embassy of Denmark in Canada nor our consulates can be held responsible for any problems you may have as a result of missing documents.

Step 3: Submit the Application
The application must be submitted in person at the Royal Danish Embassy in Ottawa, the Consulate General in Toronto or one of our honorary consulates in Canada.

If case processing is required, e.g. if documents are missing or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has additional questions to the client, an additional hourly fee shall be charged as stated in the fee schedule mentioned above.

If You Have Questions
Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local time).
Email: [email protected]

The Princess Rule

Children born in wedlock to a Danish mother and a father of foreign nationality during the period of January 1, 1961 to December 31, 1978 did not obtain Danish nationality by birth.

As an alternative, Danish mothers were offered to make a declaration by which their child obtained Danish nationality, cf. s. 2(2) of Act No. 117 of March 29, 1978.

Children born during this period whose mother did not make a declaration to this effect may apply for Danish nationality by naturalization according to the “Princess Rule”.

Applying under the Princess Rule, does not require residence in Denmark at the time of applying, however you must have resided in Denmark for either 3 months continuously or visited for a cumulative 12 months prior to having turned 22 years old.

You are also exempt from passing the Danish citizenship test, including the language test. However, for a successful application, you must be able to take part in an ordinary conversation in Danish with a Danish-speaking national from the Embassy of Denmark in Ottawa.

In addition, it is a condition that the other requirements for obtaining Danish nationality by naturalization are fulfilled. If you have been sentenced to imprisonment longer than 18 months, you cannot acquire Danish nationality by naturalization. If you have been convicted of other offences, you cannot be naturalized until after a certain period of time has passed. Finally, you may not have a debt to the Danish authorities.

Please note that if your application for Danish nationality under the Princess Rule is successful, this does not extend to any children you may have when you reside outside of Denmark.

More information is available at the website of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration (in Danish only).

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete Application Form and Payment of Processing Fee
A completed application form (listed in the category "Andre grupper") and payment of the non-refundable processing fee (listed in the application form) is a requirement for an admissible application.

The fee must be paid directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration.

Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found in the application form.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.

Neither the Embassy of Denmark in Canada nor the Danish consulates can be held responsible for any problems you may incur as a result of missing documents.

Step 3: Submit the Application
You can send the application, documents and processing fee directly to the Danish Embassy in Canada, including the embassy's processing fee. The fee, along with payment instructions, can be found here.

The Embassy is located at the following address:

Royal Danish Embassy
47 Clarence Street, Suite 450
Ottawa, ON
K1N 9K1

If case processing by the embassy is required, e.g. if documents are missing or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has additional questions to the client, an additional hourly fee shall be charged as stated in the fee schedule mentioned above.

If You Have Questions

Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly for assistance.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local time).
Email: [email protected]

Reacquisition of Danish Citizenship

Are you residing abroad and have you lost your Danish citizenship by acquiring another citizenship before September 1st 2015?

If you did not apply for reacquisition during the first 5-year transition scheme, it is still possible to do so. In June 2021, the Danish Parliament adopted a new 5-year transitional arrangement, which gives the opportunity to reacquire Danish citizenship by submitting a declaration. The transition scheme comes into force on 1 July 2021 and is valid until 30 June 2026.

The rules can be found on the website of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, where you can also find the application form for declaration of reacquisition of Danish citizenship for former Danish citizens.

How Can I Have Lost my Danish Citizenship?

If you, as a former Danish citizen, have applied for a foreign citizenship before 1 September 2015, you may have lost your Danish citizenship pursuant to the previously applicable section 7 of the Danish Citizenship Act.

As of September 1st 2015, this provision was repealed, and Danish citizens who have applied for foreign citizenship after this date will no longer lose their Danish citizenship.

How Can You Apply to Reacquire Danish Citizenship?

You can apply to reacquire your Danish citizenship by submitting a declaration directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration - also from abroad. You can also submit the declaration via a Danish embassy or one of the many Danish consulates abroad for an extra fee. You can see the Danish representations here. On the website of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration there is information and guidance on the detailed rules.

How Do I Get a Danish Passport?

You will be able to apply for a Danish passport when the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has processed your case and determined that you have reacquired your Danish citizenship. The application can be submitted at all Danish representations worldwide, provided they have biometric equipment. Remember that as a general rule, you must make an appointment to be able to submit your passport application, so you are also encouraged to visit your embassy's website for further information on this.

If You Have Lost/Misplaced Your Danish Certificate of Citizenship

If you are no longer in possession of your Danish certificate of citizenship, you can apply for proof of having been granted Danish citizenship. While a new certificate cannot be issued, this proof is sufficient to prove your status and can be used for, among other things, passport applications.

Read about the application process here (in Danish only).

It's specifically the section Bekræftelse på tidligere udstedt statsborgerretsbevis that applies.