Family reunification with a spouse or cohabiting partner
Spouses and long-term cohabiting partners of Danish citizens or permanent residents can apply to live in Denmark. Both partners normally must be at least 24, the partner in Denmark must have suitable housing, no recent social benefits and post a financial guarantee of DKK 61,709.34 (2026 level), and both must meet integration conditions. The application fee is DKK 8,490 and the expected maximum processing time is 10 months.
Life in Denmark
Money
3
Currency
Danish Krone
DKK
Danish Krone
Cost of living
105
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12.01–32.01%
Income tax (national)
VAT 25% · social security 8%
State rates stack: bottom 12.01%, middle 7.5% (above DKK 641,200), top 7.5% (above DKK 777,900), top-top 5% (above DKK 2,592,700); plus municipal tax (about 25%), optional church tax and an 8% labour market contribution on salary.
Living
1
Happiness
#3 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EU spouses or partners of Danish citizens or of people holding permanent residence in Denmark (for at least 3 years).
Eligibility
24-year rule
Both partners normally need to be at least 24 years old, and you can apply once the younger partner is 23 years and 6 months.
Official wording
Both partners normally at least 24 years old; applications can be submitted when the younger is 23 years and 6 months.
Relationship
You need a legally valid marriage, or to have lived together at the same address for at least 18 months.
18 months
Relationship options
Official wording
Legally valid marriage, or cohabitation at the same address for at least 18 months.
Partner's status
Your partner must be a Danish citizen or hold a permanent residence permit for at least the past three years.
- Permit rule applies to non-Nordic/EU partners
Official wording
Danish citizen, or (for non-Nordic/EU partners) holder of a permanent residence permit for at least the past three years.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementHousing
- Document checklistCase order ID and fee receipt
- FeesApplication fee - spouse/partner
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 more requirements
- 6 documents
- 2 fees
- 6 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Denmark
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Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Denmark
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyResidence permit for higher education
- Work permitsPay Limit Scheme
- Permanent residencePermanent residence permit
- CitizenshipDanish citizenship by naturalisation
