Denmark Family Reunification: Joining a Danish Spouse or Partner
A DKK 8,490 fee, a guarantee posted by your partner, and a Danish test within six months of landing. Here's what the spouse route asks of American couples.
This is the permit for Americans married to, or living long-term with, a Danish citizen or a long-term resident of Denmark. It's built for couples who plan to stay. The first permit usually runs two years, and you both sign a promise to learn Danish and settle in.
The numbers that decide this route
DKK 8,490
Application fee
about $1,290 (September 2026)
DKK 61,709
Guarantee your partner posts
about $9,390, 2026 level
10 months
Maximum expected processing
official target, May 2026
24
Minimum age for both partners
you can file at 23.5
What your partner in Denmark has to show
Most of the paperwork sits with the person already living there, not with you.
They need to be a Danish citizen or have held permanent residence for at least the past three years. They must support themselves, have taken none of certain public benefits in the past three years, and have no Danish conviction for violence against a former partner in the last 10 years.
The home counts, too
You'll need an independent home with at least 20 square meters (about 215 square feet) per person, outside the areas on Denmark's housing requirement list.
Four of these six boxes, between the two of you
Your Danish or English
You pass Prøve i Dansk 1, or an English test at B1 level.
Your work history
You've worked full-time for at least 3 of the past 5 years.
Your education
You've completed at least one year of education.
Their Danish
They've passed Prøve i Dansk 3, or worked 5 years in a job with lots of daily Danish.
Their work history
They've worked full-time for at least 5 years.
Their schooling
They've had at least 6 years of schooling in Denmark.
After the yes: two Danish tests on a clock
Your permit comes with deadlines. You must pass an oral Danish test at A1 level within 6 months and A2 within 9 months, and passing A1 is a condition of staying. The good news is each pass shrinks your partner's guarantee: DKK 12,341.87 (about $1,880) off for A1, then DKK 6,170.93 (about $940) for A2.
Filing from the U.S., and the routes around this one
Applying
From the U.S., you file through the Danish Consulate General in New York, with appointments run by VFS Global. If you're already in Denmark legally, you can normally apply there instead. Include a copy of every passport page, cover included, and your marriage certificate in English or Danish (or with an authorized translation). You'll also normally need to have visited Denmark at least once.
Married to another EU citizen?
If your spouse is a non-Danish EU citizen working, studying or living on their own funds in Denmark, EU rules apply instead. There's no application fee, and standard processing is 3 months.
Kids and parents
Children under 15 can usually join a parent for the same DKK 8,490 fee. Parents and other relatives qualify only in very special situations, and Denmark says approvals are rare.
Where this leads
The first permit usually lasts two years and lets you work. Permanent residence normally takes 8 years of legal residence (4 if you meet extra conditions), plus Prøve i Dansk 2 and 3.5 years of full-time work in the 4 years before the decision. That fee is DKK 4,970 (about $760). Denmark has allowed dual citizenship since September 2015, and you'll still file U.S. taxes on your worldwide income.
People who can help
Eszter Simor
Denmark Local Coach
A Copenhagen-based coach and local guide who works with people moving to Denmark.
MyExpatTaxes
U.S. Expat Tax Service
Prepares U.S. tax returns for Americans living abroad.
Denmark family reunification FAQ
Can my Danish spouse sponsor me if we're under 24?
Not usually. Both partners normally have to be at least 24, though you can file once the younger partner is 23.5. Denmark allows exceptions in some cases, such as couples raising minor children.
Can a foreign resident of Denmark sponsor a spouse?
Only after holding permanent residence for at least the past three years. They also need to support themselves, have a suitable home, and meet the same sponsor rules as a Danish citizen.
How long does Denmark take to process a spouse application?
The Danish Immigration Service's expected maximum for family reunification is 10 months, a target it aims to meet in 90% of cases (figures updated May 2026). Some cases finish faster and some take longer.
Can I work in Denmark on a family reunification permit?
Yes. Once the permit is granted, you can work in Denmark for as long as it's valid.
Do I have to speak Danish to join my spouse in Denmark?
Not before you apply, but soon after. You must pass an oral Danish test at A1 level within 6 months of getting the permit and A2 within 9 months, and passing A1 is a condition of staying. Before approval, a couple must meet 4 of 6 integration conditions, and on the applicant's side an English test at B1 level can count instead of Danish.
Can I become a Danish citizen and keep my U.S. passport?
Denmark has allowed dual citizenship since September 1, 2015, so Danish law doesn't make you give up U.S. citizenship. Getting there takes years: permanent residence alone normally needs 8 years of legal residence.
Can I bring my parents to Denmark?
Rarely. Denmark grants family reunification to parents and other relatives only in very special situations, typically where refusing would breach its human-rights obligations, and it says approvals are rare.
How much does Danish family reunification cost?
The application fee for a spouse or partner is DKK 8,490, about $1,290 in September 2026. On top of that, the partner living in Denmark must post a guarantee of DKK 61,709.34 (2026 level), about $9,390. It shrinks as the new arrival passes Danish tests and is released when they get permanent residence.
Want a second set of eyes on your Denmark plan?
Talk through your timeline, costs and paperwork with an Expatsi advisor before you file.
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