Denmark is anticipated to imminently revise certain regulations concerning spouse reunification.
SUMMARY
• Denmark is in the process of amending regulations concerning spouse reunification for foreigners.
• The Danish Ministry for Immigration and Integration has proposed reducing the integration requirement to five years of employment with significant Danish communication and halving the financial guarantee.
The Danish Ministry for Immigration and Integration has initiated proposals to revise regulations governing the reunification of spouses.
The Ministry introduced these proposals earlier in April with the primary objective of facilitating easier reunification for couples.
As per the explanations provided by Danish authorities, if the Ministry's proposals are approved, spouses in Denmark will no longer be compelled to pass the Prøve i Dansk 3 or an equivalent Danish language proficiency test for integration verification.
Instead, spouses can fulfill integration requirements by demonstrating five years of substantial employment involving extensive communication in Danish.
Furthermore, the integration requirement can also be met if the spouse in Denmark can evidence five years of regular full-time employment significantly requiring Danish communication.
The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration has also recommended reducing the financial guarantee for spouse reunification by half.
Under this proposal, the financial guarantee for spouse reunification will decrease from approximately DKK 114,000 (€15,283) to DKK 57,000 (€7,641).
While the proposals are still pending approval, if passed, the new regulations for spouse reunification will become effective on July 1, 2024.
The Danish authorities have clarified that applications submitted before July 1 may also be processed under the new rules.
These changes will allow spouses in Denmark to bring their partners to the country with a reduced financial guarantee and prove integration through five years of work experience involving Danish communication.
For those whose spouse reunification applications were rejected before the proposal, the Danish authorities have assured an opportunity to reapply once the proposal is approved.
Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, emphasized the importance of integration for all foreigners in Denmark and reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining a robust immigration policy that does not unduly hinder ordinary families.
Additionally, he highlighted the positive impact these proposed changes will have on those already residing and legally employed in the country.