Retain your Danish citizenship

Why should you apply to retain your Danish citizenship?

If you were born outside of Denmark and have not been residing in Denmark or have lived in Denmark before the age of 22, you may actually risk losing your Danish citizenship (unless you do not have any other). Therefore, it is important to ensure that you understand the rules and apply for proof that you have maintained your citizenship under the applicable rules.

The two overarching and essential rules for maintaining Danish citizenship are that you have maintained a connection to Denmark before the age of 22.

• To be considered a resident in Denmark, it is generally required that you have had an uninterrupted registration in the CPR (Central Person Registry) at a Danish address for a period of at least three months.
• A person is considered to have had a connection to Denmark if they have visited or spent time in Denmark for a total of at least one year before the age of 22. If the total length of stay is slightly less than one year, the requirement may still be met if other circumstances indicate a strong connection to Denmark at the time the person turned 22.

When should you apply to retain your Danish citizenship?

Application before turning 22

If you were born abroad to Danish parents and risk losing your Danish citizenship because you haven't lived in Denmark sufficiently, you can apply to retain it before you turn 22.

What is assessed? When your application is processed, the authorities will consider several factors, such as:

• How long and how often you have lived in Denmark.
• How close your stays have been to your 22nd birthday.
• Whether you speak Danish and have other connections to Denmark, such as family or associations.

Why is it important to apply on time? A ruling from the EU (the Tjebbes case) has emphasized that it is important to assess each case individually when deciding whether a person should lose their Danish citizenship and thus also their rights as an EU citizen. Therefore, it is a good idea to apply before you turn 22.

Application after turning 22

If you first apply after turning 22, it is unfortunately too late to get a dispensation. The authorities will only investigate whether you had already retained your Danish citizenship on your 22nd birthday.

Conclusion: It is therefore very important to apply to retain your Danish citizenship before you turn 22. The earlier you apply, the greater the chance that your application will be approved.

What is the 22 year rule?

The '22-year rule' is a common term for the law that determines whether you can keep your Danish citizenship. Basically, it means you have to show that you're connected to Denmark before you turn 22. If you haven't and you have another passport, you could lose your Danish one.

If I have never lived in Denmark, can I apply to retain my Danish citizenship?

It all depends on your age. If you are under the age of 22, you still have time to live up to the requirements and can then apply under the rule.

There's always a possibility to apply and a lawyer can help you asses your case to see if there is a chance for you to retain your Danish citizenship. For example, you could've spent a lot of time with family or other relatives in Denmark thus confirming your attachment to Denmark.

If I already live in Denmark, do I have to apply?

In short, the answer is yes! It is crucial to ensure that one has maintained their Danish citizenship to avoid discovering too late that the requirements for retaining Danish citizenship have not been met.

How can Globe Advokater help?

Globe Advokater can assist you in several ways with your application to retain Danish citizenship:

• Expertise and knowledge: Globe Advokater specializes in immigration law and has extensive experience with citizenship cases. They have an in-depth understanding of the applicable laws and regulations, and can therefore assess your case and provide you with the best possible advice.
• Assistance with document collection: Gathering all the necessary documentation to be included with the application can be challenging. Globe Advokater can help you identify the required documents and advise you on how to obtain them.
• Completion of application forms: Application forms can be complex and require precise completion. Globe Advokater can help you fill out the forms correctly and ensure that all information is included.
• Representation before the authorities: If you have any questions or problems during the processing of your application, Globe Advokater can represent you before the Danish Immigration Service.
• Case follow-up: Globe Advokater can follow up on your case and keep you updated on its progress.

Why choose Globe Advokater?

• Extensive experience: Globe Advokater has extensive experience with citizenship cases and can therefore provide you with reassurance and security throughout the process.
• Personalized advice: You will be assigned a personal lawyer who will thoroughly familiarize themselves with your case and provide you with tailored advice.
• High professional standards: Globe Advokater maintains high professional standards and always works to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients.