Children under the age of 15

Please note that the information on this page is a simplified and edited version of the rules. If you are in doubt about the rules, or you want further information about the rules, please contact the Danish Immigration Service.

Foreign nationals under the age of 15 whose parents are living permanently in Denmark kan be granted a residence permit under the family reunification rules, provided that certain requirements are met. If the child was born in Denmark by foreign parents, and at least one of the parents has a residence permit in Denmark, these requirements will not need to be met. Read more about residence permit for children born in Denmark by foreign parents.

Special rules apply to EU/EEA citizens residing in Denmark under the EU regulations on free movement. Read more about EU and Nordic Citizens.

Special rules also apply if the parent residing in Denmark has been granted a residence permit as a student or in order to work. Read more about students and work.

Below is a brief summary of the requirements which parents and children must meet.

Fundamental requirements

These requirements are essential and must be met in order for the child to be granted family reunification.

Requirements of the parent in Denmark

The parent in Denmark (or his/her spouse/partner) must either be a Danish or Nordic citizen, hold a recidence permit in Denmark as a refugee or with protected status, hold a permanent residence in Denmark, or hold a temporary residence permit in Denmark which can be made permanent
The parent in Denmark must hold full or partial custody of the child
The parent in Denmark or his/her spouse/partner may not have been convicted of abuse of a child under the age of 18 within a period of 10 years prior to the ruling. Read more about violence against children

Requirements of the child

The child must be under the age of 15 at the time the application is submitted
After the family reunification, the child must live together with his/her parent
The child must not have started his or her own family through marriage or cohabiting partnership
The family reunification must not be at odds with the interests of the child. Read more about the interests of the child

Additional requirements

In certain cases, it will be required that:

The parent living in Denmark can document that he/she has adequate accommodation at his/her disposal. Read more about the housing requirement
The parent living in Denmark can supprt him/herself. Read more about the support requirement
The child has potential for successfully integrating into Denmark. Read more about potential for successful integration

Application

Read more about how to apply for family reunification.