The self-support requirement

This means that your spouse/partner in Denmark may not have received public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act (lov om aktiv socialpolitik) or the Integration Act (integrationsloven) for the past three years prior to your application for family reunification being processed by the Immigration Service.

It makes no difference how long a person has received public assistance if it was received in the past three years. Even short periods on social benefits ('kontanthjælp') may result in your application for family reunification being turned down.

If your spouse/partner in Denmark has received few, minor payments which are not directly related to support, or payments which compare to, or replace, a salary or pension, this will not keep you from being granted a residence permit.

Unemployment benefits paid by your spouse/partner's unemployment insurance fund is not public assistance under the terms of the Active Social Policy Act or the Integration Act and will not keep you from being granted a residence permit.

Dispensation

The self-support requirement can be suspended if special reasons apply. This could be the case, if your spouse/partner in Denmark:

• is a refugee or has protected status and still risks persecution in his/her country of origin. Read more about refugees
• has children under 18 living in the home who have formed an individual attachment to Denmark, or has children from a previous relationship and has custody of the child or has visitation rights and sees the child on a regular basis. Read more about children under 18
• is seriously ill. Read more about serious illness/disability

Moreover, Denmark's commitment to protecting women's rights can lead to a suspension of the self-support requirement. It may be the case if the need for help is caused by the spouse in Denmark is going on maternity leave from a job that she is returning to after the end of the maternity leave.