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Spouse or Partner

DenmarkFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Denmark Read the five questions ↓

Which family relationships qualify?

A person with a spouse or partner living in Denmark may qualify: the marriage must be legally valid, or the couple must be permanent cohabitants, defined as living together at the same address for at least 18 months. The Immigration Service can suspend the 18-month requirement in special situations.

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Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

The sponsor is the spouse/partner in Denmark, who must be a Danish citizen or hold a residence permit for a reason other than asylum. A sponsor who is not a Danish or other Nordic citizen must have held a permanent residence permit for at least the past three years (one year for certain economically active Turkish nationals) and still meet the transferred requirements for permanent residence. Spouses of work/study permit holders, of Nordic/EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, and of Danish citizens under EU law follow separate rules.

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What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

A marriage must have been valid where celebrated and comply with Danish law; both spouses must attend the ceremony in person and be at least 18 at the time. If relying on cohabitation instead, the partners must normally show at least 18 months at the same address. The checklist requests a translated marriage certificate or cohabitation documentation, as applicable, and the authority assesses that the relationship is voluntary.

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  • Legally valid marriage
    If you are married, your marriage needs to be legal under Danish law. In order for your marriage to be declared valid in Denmark, it needs to have been valid in the country where it took place.
  • Legally valid marriage
    Both you and your spouse need to have been present during the wedding ceremony Neither you nor your spouse can have been represented by someone else during the wedding ceremony You and your spouse need to have turned 18 at the time of the wedding
  • Gather documentation
    Documentation that you and your partner have lived together (if you aren’t married)
  • Requirements you both need to meet
    Your partner in Denmark needs to assume responsibility for supporting you financially if you need it. The application form includes a statement declaring that your partner assumes responsibility for supporting you. Your partner needs to sign this statement.
  • Gather documentation
    Copy of your marriage certificate with an authorised translation to Danish or English (if you are married)
  • You need to be married/in a relationship with each other voluntarily
    The Immigration Service will not grant you a residence permit if it is doubtful that either you or your spouse/partner entered into your marriage/relationship voluntarily.

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The sponsor must sign a declaration to support the applicant financially if needed. The sponsor is normally subject to a self-support test concerning specified social benefits received in the previous three years, housing conditions and a financial guarantee of DKK 61,709.34 at the 2026 level; exemptions apply in specified situations.

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  • Requirements you both need to meet
    Your partner in Denmark needs to assume responsibility for supporting you financially if you need it. The application form includes a statement declaring that your partner assumes responsibility for supporting you. Your partner needs to sign this statement.
  • You need to be self-supporting
    Normally you, the applicant’s spouse/partner in Denmark, need to be able to support yourself. This requirement means that if you have received certain forms of social benefits at any time in the past three years, your spouse/partner can’t be approved for family reunification.
  • You need to post collateral in the form of a financial guarantee
    Normally, you, the spouse/partner of the applicant, will need to have DKK 61,709.34 (2026 level) set aside.
  • You need to live in Denmark in an independent residence
    You, the spouse/partner of the applicant, need to live in Denmark and have an independent, reasonably sized residence at your disposal. This is known as the housing requirement.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

An approved applicant receives a temporary residence permit, typically valid for two years, and may work while it remains valid; it can be extended if the requirements continue to be met. The application uses an SB-ID, fee payment and documentation completed by both partners. The stated fee is DKK 8,490 and the maximum processing time is 10 months.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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