Violence against a former spouse/partner

You cannot be granted a residence permit on the grounds of family reunification if your spouse/partner in Denmark has been convicted of violence against a former spouse/partner in the past ten years.

Violence includes, among other things, rape, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, section 216, manslaughter, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, section 237, simpel and aggravated assault, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, sections 244-246, coercion, including forcing a person into marriage, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, section 260, confinement, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, section 261, and human trafficking, cf. the Danish Criminal Act, section 262a.

Dispensation

The penalty period can be suspended if special reasons apply, such as, if the criminal act was the result of mental illness which has since been cured, or due to alcohol or drug abuse which no longer exists. Furthermore, the penalty period can be suspended if the marriage was completed many years ago, and the couple have lived together for an extended period and there is no doubt that they wish to continue living together.

The fact that the couple has children together, or that they cannot reside together in another country is not sufficient reason for suspending this requirement.