Denmark Hikes Citizenship Application Fee: A Stiffer Price for Belonging
Reason for filing Danish naturalization application was revealed
Michael Barrett spills the details on the latest hike in Denmark's citizenship application fee, and why it might encourage more applications instead of deter them.
Farewell to Affordable Citizenship
The long-awaited rise in the cost of submitting a citizenship application in Denmark is here. Effective May 1, 2025, the application fee will escalate by 50%, ascending from 4,000 kroner to 6,000 kroner[1][2]. The increased fee has been in the pipeline for some time, with the government's announcement backed by several opposition parties.
Justification in Question
While government officials maintain that the higher fee is necessary to cover costs, critics contend this assertion is a mere facade for making the path to citizenship more daunting - a move aimed at placating immigration skeptics[3]. Concerns about diminished democracy arise as the higher demands on naturalization potentially bar qualified individuals from participating in Danish elections.
A Pricey Path to Danish Democracy
A comparison of citizenship application fees across Europe reveals that Denmark is not among the priciest countries, though it ranks among the countries with stringent citizenship stipulations[4]. Denmark's requirements, such as nine years of prior residence, proficiency in Danish, and passage of a citizenship exam, set the Nordic nation apart.
Despite these barriers, the doubled fee may prove a motivator rather than a deterrrent. Michael Barrett provides a personal account of being driven to apply for citizenship due to the prospect of paying even more if he delayed any longer.
Sifting Through the Fine Print
The application process necessitates meticulous documentation, particularly regarding overseas stays and travel. For any given year in the previous 12, details of trips outside Denmark lasting four weeks or more are required[3]. The tedious task of tracing travel history involves scouring old records for even weekend visits dates.
On a Mission, With Overdue Avenues
Michael Barrett, who passed the citizenship exam in 2018 and had been resident in Denmark for 11 years at the time, put off applying due to concerns over a student debt and the subsequent fee increase[5]. This heightened cost impeded his decision to submit an application, until the impending fee hike provided the impetus he needed to act.
In conclusion, Denmark's increased citizenship application fee could have the unintended consequence of stimulating more applications, much like it did for Michael Barrett. The revenue generated provides revenue for administrative costs; however, it remains to be seen whether the fee hike truly serves its intended purpose or if it will have a minimal impact on the application process.
Additional Resources
- Danish parliament votes through 'unfair' hike to citizenship fee
- Why are Danish left-wing parties opposed to government's unemployment reform?
- What proportion of foreign nationals stay in Denmark for the long term?
- Danish government announces major reform of unemployment system
- The increased citizenship application fee in Denmark, starting May 1, 2025, will rise by 50%, from 4,000 kroner to 6,000 kroner, causing a stir among potential applicants.
- Critics argue that the justification for the higher citizenship application fee is a facade, with the real intention being to make the path to citizenship more challenging for immigrants.
- Although Denmark has one of the priciest citizenship application fees among European countries, it also has stringent citizenship requirements, such as nine years of residency, Danish proficiency, and a citizenship exam.
- In an unexpected turn, the doubled citizenship application fee may encourage more applications, like it did for Michael Barrett, who was previously hesitant due to concerns over a student debt but decided to apply following the impending fee hike.
- The application process involves meticulous documentation, particularly regarding overseas stays and travel, making it essential for applicants to carefully sift through old records for trip details, even weekend visits dates.
