Denmark Family Reunification Options for Foreign Workers
Denmark (Kongeriget Danmark — Kingdom of Denmark) is known for strict family reunification rules, but foreign workers with a Danish work permit usually do not need them. Instead, their spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 18 can apply for residence as accompanying family members (medfølgende familie) through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). If the worker holds a salaried permit, there is no requirement to prove they can support the family, no language test before arrival and no age-24 rule, and family members can generally work or study in Denmark without a separate permit. This EU Helpers guide explains who qualifies and how to apply — international candidates can explore Danish opportunities through EU Helpers. Denmark has been an EU member since 1973 and a Schengen member since 2001, but it has opt-outs from EU justice and home affairs rules, is NOT a eurozone member (it uses the Danish krone, DKK), and has been a founding member of NATO and the Council of Europe since 1949.
Essential Context: Accompanying Family vs Family Reunification
Two very different sets of rules exist in Denmark.
| Consideration | Accompanying Family (work permit holders) | Ordinary Family Reunification |
| Who it is for | Families of foreign workers with Danish work permits | Families of Danish citizens and permanent residents |
| Spouse age rule | No age-24 rule | Both spouses generally at least 24 |
| Financial requirement | None if the sponsor has a salaried permit | Financial guarantee and other conditions |
| Language test | No | Danish test requirements |
| Housing requirement | Must live at the same address | Strict housing rules |
| Work rights | Generally free to work and study | Depends on the permit |
| Authority | SIRI | Danish Immigration Service |
Who Can Join as an Accompanying Family Member
- Your spouse or registered partner.
- Your cohabiting partner, where you have lived together in a stable relationship.
- Your children under 18 who live at home.
- In very special cases, other family members, where the sponsor holds a permanent residence permit linked to work.
Eligibility Conditions
- You hold a valid Danish residence and work permit, for example under the Pay Limit Scheme, Positive List or Fast-track scheme.
- Your family members will live at the same address as you for the whole stay.
- If you hold a salaried permit, you do not need to prove you can support them; for some other schemes, a monthly amount must be shown.
- Family members must not receive benefits under the Active Social Policy Act.
- Each family member needs a valid passport.
Financial and Accommodation Requirements
For holders of salaried work permits, there is no separate financial requirement for accompanying family members. Other schemes have set amounts — for example, sponsors on some self-employed, researcher or start-up routes must show a monthly disposable amount. Family members must live at the same address as the sponsor, and they lose their permit if they give up their Danish address or stay abroad for more than six consecutive months, unless an exemption applies.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Check that your work permit allows accompanying family members.
- Create a separate case order ID for each family member and pay the fee.
- Complete the application for accompanying family members online, together with your own application or afterwards.
- Attach passports and proof of the family relationship — marriage, partnership or birth certificates.
- Family members record their biometrics, normally within 14 days of applying, at a Danish mission abroad or in Denmark.
- After approval, family members register their address and receive a CPR number.
Documents Checklist
| Document | Purpose |
| Passport for each family member | Identity |
| Application form for accompanying family | Core application |
| Marriage or registered partnership certificate | Proof of relationship |
| Proof of cohabitation | For cohabiting partners |
| Birth certificates of children | Proof of filiation |
| Consent of the other parent | Where only one parent is moving with a child |
| Sponsor's work permit details | Sponsor status |
| Fee receipt | DKK 3,080 per applicant |
Foreign documents may need to be legalised and translated into Danish or English.
Timing: How Long It Takes
| Phase | Typical Time |
| Preparing documents | 2–6 weeks |
| Biometrics | Within 14 days of applying |
| SIRI decision | Normally a few months |
| Address registration and CPR number | After arrival |
Can Family Members Work in Denmark?
Yes. Accompanying family members can generally work, run their own business or study in Denmark without a separate work permit. They need a separate work permit only to work at the sponsor's company or a closely related company. Special rules apply to those under 18. The permit does not allow work in other Schengen countries.
Children's Schooling
School is compulsory in Denmark for ten years, usually from age six, and public schools (folkeskole) are free and teach in Danish. Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and other cities have international schools with English-language programmes. Register children with your municipality soon after arrival.
Extension of Family-Member Permits
Accompanying family members' permits normally match the sponsor's permit. Each family member applies separately, no earlier than three months before expiry and always before it expires. The extension fee is DKK 3,080 per person, and processing normally takes four months. A child who first received a permit before turning 18 can extend after turning 18 if they still live at the sponsor's address.
Pathway to Permanent Residence for Family Members
Family members can apply for permanent residence under Denmark's general rules, which usually require eight years of legal residence (four in some cases), Danish language tests, a record of full-time work and other conditions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the two systems — accompanying family rules are much easier than ordinary family reunification.
- Living at a different address — family members must live with the sponsor.
- Long stays abroad — more than six consecutive months can end the permit.
- Working at the sponsor's company without a permit — a separate permit is needed.
- Using one application for the whole family — each person needs a separate case order ID and fee.
- Late extensions — apply before the permit expires.
Final Guidance
If you are moving to Denmark on a work permit, your family usually joins you as accompanying family members rather than under Denmark's strict family reunification rules. Your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 18 can apply through SIRI, with no financial requirement if you hold a salaried permit, and they can generally work and study freely. Each person needs their own application and fee, must live at your address and must extend their permit before it expires. Always confirm current requirements with SIRI. International candidates can explore Danish opportunities through EU Helpers. EU Helpers supports foreign workers with accompanying family applications, documents, biometrics, extensions and school research.
FAQs
Yes. Your spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 18 can apply for residence as accompanying family members through SIRI.
Usually not. The strict rules — such as the age-24 rule and financial guarantees — apply to families of Danish citizens and permanent residents. Families of foreign workers use the much simpler accompanying family rules.
Not if you hold a salaried residence and work permit. Some other schemes, such as certain self-employed, researcher or start-up routes, require proof of a monthly amount.
Yes. Accompanying family members can generally work, run a business or study without a separate work permit. They need a separate permit only to work at your company or a closely related company.
The fee is DKK 3,080 per applicant, and each family member needs a separate case order ID and fee.
Yes. Accompanying family members must live at the same address as the sponsor for the whole stay. Their permit can lapse if they move out or stay abroad for more than six consecutive months.
Normally for the same period as the sponsor's permit. Each family member extends separately, no earlier than three months before expiry.
Children generally must be under 18. A child who first received a permit before turning 18 can extend after turning 18 if they still live at the sponsor's address.
Yes. School is compulsory for ten years, public schools are free and teach in Danish, and larger cities have international schools.
EU Helpers prepares accompanying family applications, documents and translations, books biometrics, manages extensions and helps with school research.
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