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Danish citizenship, the final step

Updated July 2026Reviewed July 2026
The one-line versionNaturalisation needs around nine years' residence, permanent residency already held, PD3, the citizenship test, self-sufficiency and a clean record - then an act of parliament. Dual citizenship is allowed.

The residence requirement

Standard naturalisation requires about nine years of continuous legal residence (reduced to eight for refugees and six for Nordic citizens; special rules apply to spouses of Danish citizens). You must also already hold permanent residency - typically for at least two years when the naturalisation bill is passed. Permanent residence and citizenship are separate statuses; one leads to the other.

Language and the citizenship test

Two exams stand between you and a passport:

  • Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) - a B2-level Danish exam, a notch above the PD2 needed for permanent residence. No exceptions in normal cases.
  • Indfødsretsprøven - the citizenship knowledge test: 45 questions on Danish society, history and culture, held twice a year. You need at least 36 correct, including at least 4 of 5 on current affairs.

The other conditions

  • Self-sufficiency - broadly, no reliance on public benefits over a set recent period.
  • Clean record - serious convictions can disqualify permanently; lesser ones impose waiting periods.
  • Declaration of loyalty - you sign allegiance to Denmark, its constitution and democratic values.
The feeThe citizenship application fee is DKK 6,270 (2026 level) and is non-refundable, so apply only when you clearly meet every requirement.

How it's granted

You apply to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration - not SIRI. If approved, your name goes onto a naturalisation bill (indfødsretslov) that parliament passes twice a year. From application to ceremony typically takes one to two years, and there's no way to speed up the parliamentary schedule.

Dual citizenship is fineSince 2015 Denmark permits dual nationality - you don't have to give up your existing citizenship to become Danish, and Danes don't lose theirs by naturalising elsewhere.

What citizenship gives you

A Danish passport (visa-free access to much of the world), the right to vote in national elections, the right to live and work anywhere in the EU, and permanent security regardless of employment. Children on your application may naturalise alongside you; children born after you become Danish are Danish by birth.

Common questions

Does permanent residency count as citizenship?
No - they're separate. You generally need PR first, then naturalisation for citizenship.
Can I keep my original passport?
Yes, since 2015 dual citizenship is permitted.
How long does approval take?
Usually one to two years, governed by the twice-yearly parliamentary bills. It can't be expedited.
What if I fail the citizenship test?
You can retake it - it's held twice a year. Give yourself several weeks of preparation; it's demanding.

Verified July 2026 against official sources: nyidanmark.dk (SIRI), lifeindenmark.borger.dk, the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, cpr.dk and borger.dk. General information, not legal advice - see our editorial policy.

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