Citizenship
Danish Nationals Born Abroad - The 22-Year Rule - Retention of Danish Nationality
As a general rule, Danish nationals born abroad lose their Danish nationality when reaching the age of 22. However, retention (if you are between 20 and 22) of Danish nationality may be granted provided certain conditions are fulfilled.
Retention of Danish Nationality
If you are between the ages of 20 and 22 you can apply to retain your Danish nationality. According to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration (in Danish only), retention may be granted in the following cases:
- If you have been a resident in Denmark before the age of 22
The Danish authorities generally consider a continuous stay of minimum 3 months as sufficient to meet this requirement. It is a requirement that you were registered in the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR) during your stay.
- If you were visiting Denmark before the age of 22
The total of all visits, under circumstances indicating some association with Denmark, must add up to at least one year.
Even if you do not meet the two conditions mentioned above, you may still be granted retention of Danish nationality. The Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration assesses all applications individually. Among other things they will consider:
- The total duration of your visits to Denmark (is it close to one year)
- Do your visits indicate some association with Denmark; e.g. are they relatively recent or did they occur many years ago
- How many times did you visit Denmark
- Knowledge of the Danish language (the Embassy of Denmark in Israel may be requested to conduct an interview with you in Danish)
- Association to Denmark through contact with Danish relatives or through Danish associations in Israel
Your application must reach the Embassy of Denmark in Israel or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration no later than the day before you turn 22. If you apply after you turn 22, you must apply for proof of Danish nationality. You can read more about this further down on this page.
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete Application form and Payment of Processing Fee
A completed application form is a requirement for an admissible application.
The processing fee of DKK 1200 to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration must be paid using the registration number (registreringsnummer) and account number (kontonummer) listed here. (in Danish only)
The address of the bank is as follows:
Danske Bank, Statens betalinger
Girostrøget 1
0800 Høje Taastrup
Please note that your CPR-number or full name must be included with the payment.
Please note that the above banking information was current on January 1st 2023. It is highly recommended that you verify this information directly with the authorities in Denmark, as changes may happen without the embassy being notified.
Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found in section 5 of the application form.
For a quick and efficient processing, you must collect all the required documents in the checklist before you submit your application. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your file.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.
The Embassy of Denmark in Israel is not responsible for any problems you may incur as a result of insufficient documentation.
Step 3: Submit the Application
You can send the application and documents directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration in Denmark at the following address:
Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet
Slotsholmsgade 10
DK-1216 København K
Denmark
Alternatively, you can submit your application through the Danish Embassy in Israel. Please note that if you choose to submit your application this way, there is an additional handling fee payable to the Danish Embassy. The handling fee must be paid by cheque or cash. If additional case processing by the embassy is required, e.g. if documents are missing or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has additional questions to the client, an additional hourly fee shall be charged as stated in the fee schedule mentioned above.
If You Have Questions
Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local Danish time).
Email: [email protected]
Danish Nationals Born Abroad - The 22-year Rule - Proof of Danish Nationality
As a general rule, Danish nationals born abroad lose their Danish nationality when reaching the age of 22. However, proof (if you are older than 22) of Danish nationality may be granted provided certain conditions are fulfilled.
Proof of Danish Nationality
If you are older than 22 you can apply for proof of Danish nationality. According to the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration (in Danish only), proof may be granted in the following cases:
- If you have been a resident in Denmark before the age of 22
The Danish authorities generally consider a continuous stay of minimum 3 months as sufficient to meet this requirement. It is a requirement that you were registered in the Danish Civil Registration System (CPR) during your stay. - If you were visiting Denmark before the age of 22
The total of all visits, under circumstances indicating some association with Denmark, must add up to at least one year.
If you apply after reaching the age of 22, the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration does not make an individual assessment of your application. Hence, if you do not fulfil one of the two conditions listed above, you will not be granted proof of Danish nationality.
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete Application form and Payment of Processing Fee
A completed application form is a requirement for an admissible application.
The processing fee of DKK 1200 to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration must be paid using the registration number (registreringsnummer) and account number (kontonummer) listed here. (in Danish only).
The address of the bank is as follows:
Danske Bank, Statens betalinger
Girostrøget 1
0800 Høje Taastrup
Please note that your CPR-number or full name must be included with the payment.
Please note that the above banking information was current on January 1st 2023. It is highly recommended that you verify this information directly with the authorities in Denmark, as changes may happen without the embassy being notified.
Step 2: Collect Documents
A document checklist can be found in section 5 of the application form.
For a quick and efficient processing, you must collect all the required documents in the checklist before you submit your application. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your file.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that all necessary documents are submitted. It is strongly recommended that you contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration for any updates regarding the submission of correct documents. Failure to submit all the required documents may result in delays or rejection of your application.
The Embassy of Denmark in Israel are not responsible for any problems you may incur as a result of insufficient documentation.
Step 3: Submit the Application
You can send the application and documents directly to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration in Denmark at the following address:
Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet
Slotsholmsgade 10
DK-1216 København K
Denmark
Alternatively, you can submit your application through the Danish Embassy in Israel. Please note that if you choose to submit your application this way, there is an additional handling fee payable to the Danish Embassy.If additional case processing by the embassy is required, e.g. if documents are missing or the Ministry of Immigration and Integration has additional questions to the client, an additional hourly fee shall be charged as stated in the fee schedule mentioned above.
If You Have Questions
Please contact the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Immigration and Integration directly.
Tel.: +45 70 80 24 50. The phone hours can be found here (local time).
Email: [email protected]