Denmark spouse and partner visa (family reunification)

The partner in Denmark must have an independent home of reasonable size (no more than two people per room or at least 20 square metres per person) that is not in an area on the housing requirement list, must not have received benefits under the Active Social Policy Act or the Integration Act in the last 3 years, and must not have been convicted of violence against a former partner in the last 10 years. A foreign partner must have held permanent residence for at least 3 years; for economically active Turkish nationals granted permanent residence on applications from 15 March 2017, 1 year can be enough.

The marriage must be valid under Danish law and in the country where it took place; unmarried partners normally need 18 months of cohabitation at the same address. Both of you must usually be 24, and you may apply when the younger partner is 23 years and 6 months. The Immigration Service refuses cases where the marriage may not be voluntary, for example between close relatives, and checks for marriages of convenience by looking at shared language, age difference and earlier marriages.

Together you must meet 4 of 6 conditions, and one condition for the partner in Denmark is mandatory. Applicant: Danish test 1 or an English test at B1 level; full-time work for at least 3 of the last 5 years; at least 1 year of education beyond upper secondary level. Partner in Denmark: Danish test 3 or 5 years of work with significant Danish communication (mandatory); 5 years of full-time work in Denmark; at least 6 years of schooling in Denmark. Exemptions exist, for example for serious illness or a partner raising children with their own ties to Denmark.

The partner in Denmark normally provides collateral of DKK 61,709.34 (2026 level) as a demand guarantee (anfordringsgaranti) or escrow account (deponeringskonto), covering a total of 10 years. Passing Danish test A1 reduces it by DKK 12,341.87 and test A2 by a further DKK 6,170.93. It is released with permanent residence, a permit on other grounds or after 10 years, but not merely because of separation.

Create an SB-ID, pay DKK 8,490 and complete the online form, where you and your partner each fill in a part; the printable form can be lodged at a Danish mission or outsourcing office in your country of residence, often a visa application centre. Fingerprints and a photo are recorded when you lodge or after online submission. Marriage certificates need an authorised translation into Danish or English.

After the permit you normally must pass Danish test A1 within 6 months and A2 within 9 months, or the permit can be revoked. A Turkish citizen who becomes economically active as an employee, self-employed person or service provider within 6 months of CPR registration is exempt from the A1 test, and within 9 months from the A2 test; A1 is still needed to reduce the guarantee. Contact the Immigration Service to confirm the exemption before the deadline.

The decision explains how and by when to appeal to the Immigration Appeals Board; the appeal fee is DKK 1,040. The Immigration Service can waive individual requirements only for very special reasons, assessed after you apply.