It has become somewhat of a game show – or maybe a tragic comedy – for foreigners to come to Denmark or marry a Dane. A new immigration law from November 2010 has tightened the already very strict rules. With the old law it was very difficult to get married to a foreign spouse if you were younger than 24 (a law enforced to stop forced marriages) but now it’s just difficult for everyone. Unless you are very well-educated, have good work experience and know multiple languages – then don’t even start dreaming about coming here.
The rules have become so strict that several European and international institutions have pointed out, that Denmark could be violating simple human rights. The rights violations discussed are for example: the right to non-discrimination based on ethnic origin and the right to a family life.
Many foreigners already living in Denmark are at risk of being thrown out of the country and many Danes hoping to marry their foreign loved ones and start their lives in Denmark will have to find alternative solutions.
So before you fall in love with a Dane – do yourself a favor and take the test underneath.
If you are below 24 you need at least 120 points in total – if you are above 24 you “only” need 60.
1. Education
PhD or Masters degree from Denmark or a top 20 university – 120 points
PhD or Masters degree from another university abroad – 80 points
Bachelor degree from Denmark or a top 20 university – 70 points
Bachelor degree from another university abroad – 50 points
Business school or professional Bachelor degree in Denmark – 50 points
Business school or professional Bachelor degree from abroad – 40 points
2. Work experience
2 years of qualified work in Denmark – 80 points
2.5 years of qualified work in the last 3 years – 60 points
Other work experience for 2.5 of the last 3 years – 40 points
3. Language qualifications
Danish, Swedish and Norwegian level C1 (on a common European grading system, where C2 is the highest, followed by C1, B2, B1, A2 and A1) – 50 points
English, German, French or Spanish level C1 – 40 points
4. Other (Note: A maximum of 20 points in this category)
Danish at level B1 or B2 – 20 points
English, German, French or Spanish at level B1 or B2, or the equivalent – 20 points
Not living in a ghetto area – 20 points
Active participation in a global humanitarian organisation – 10 points
Self-supporting financially – 10 points
And this is just the beginning – among other things you also need:
- to post a bond of 11.600$ (Danish partner)
- to pass a Danish language and knowledge test (foreign partner)
- to demonstrate an attachment to Denmark stronger than to any other country (both partners)
So – how many points did you get? Are you “worthy” enough to come to Denmark?
I don’t know if these new regulations are more strict than the ones in the US or not. But for someone above 24 I don’t think it is that difficult to get 60 points, I think.
I thought “Not living in a ghetto area – 20 points” was weird. Also, how could one
“demonstrate an attachment to Denmark stronger than to any other country (both partners)?”
p.s. with two masters degree, a PhD in progress and many years of teaching experience I guess I have enough points. Any Danish/Dane girl out there interested in a handsome Jordanian guy? Just joking
Hm – so being fluent in Danish and English saves my a… in this test. I’m working on my first academic degree while living in a ghetto. Not that I need to pass it or anything…
Ghetto! ? Interesting segragation going on over there. Granted, that like other europian countries Denmark gets floods of assylum series’s and suck. But still.. Not living in a ghetto gets you points.. Ohh btw I pass… Wait is that Danish wedding bells I hear in the distance… :p
Now I would score 110. In six months time I will score at least 120 (I would finish my masters). And I am above 24!
My favorite country would be Netherlands, but who am I kidding, Scandanavian countries rock just as much!
Now I would score 110. In six months time I will score at least 120 (I would finish my masters). And I am above 24!
My favorite country would be Netherlands, but who am I kidding, Scandanavian countries rock just as much!.
@Jaraad: I don’t think you get triple points for 3 finished degrees
But my god you would have a lot of points if that was the case – hehe. Maybe you think it would be easy to get the necessary points – but what about non-academic people? People with maybe un-qualified work experience and not many language skills? We only want the highly skilled foreigners to come to Denmark – even though we don’t have enough jobs for the Danes with high educations. But the less skilled foreigners, who might take some of the work that Danes don’t – they are not allowed to come here.
And a Danish girl you say……I will keep my eyes open for you – Any characteristics or qualities I should be looking for more specifically?
@Unna: Thank god Danes don’t have to live up to these criteria or half of the population would be thrown out immediately.
@Murad: Oh yeah, the ghettos. Well, you get extra points if you promise to live in a non-ghetto area if you are allowed in to Denmark. An interesting way of trying to deal with the growing ghetto neighborhoods in the big cities with mainly foreign residents.
(I should start a dating service or something – hahaha)
And you pass……….Mabrouk Murad – who do you want next to you when the wedding bells ring? I can look for a bride for you too
@Devil: hehe – well congrats on your score – ahlan wa sahlan fi-l-Dinemark
We do rock – and if we could only throw out all the narrowminded people it would be quite pleasant to live here 
I don’t think I’m qualified! :O </3 I guess I won't be able to marry a "Danish".
Ive got a bachelor, Ive got 4 years of experience, my profession is in the positive list, Ive got B2 for Spanish, B2 for English…. only problem is Im 25 years old and my girlfriend is 19…. any suggestion or idea? please
And your girlfriend is Danish? I would suggest she contacts this organisation: Ægteskab uden Grænser – Marriage without Borders http://www.aegteskabudengraenser.dk/ and ask for guidance and consultation. They are very helpful.
I haven’t been following the latest developments on the area – so they would be the appropriate people to contact. Best of luck.