Denmark’s Immigration System Inspires UK’s Policy Overhaul

Denmark’s immigration system has become the blueprint for European countries seeking to tighten migration laws, notably the UK, which is preparing a major shake-up of its policies modelled after Denmark’s system. With Denmark recognised as having some of the toughest immigration regulations in Europe, officials from the UK have studied Danish practices to incorporate similar restrictive measures in their own framework.

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Tougher Family Reunion Rules

Denmark stands out for its especially strict approach to family reunification. Refugees or migrants seeking to bring family members to Denmark face formidable barriers:

Both the sponsor and their partner must be at least 24 years old, a rule designed primarily to prevent forced marriages.
Sponsors must not have accessed public benefits for at least three years and must provide a financial guarantee to support their partner.
Both individuals are required to pass a Danish language test as a condition for reunification.
Refugees living in areas labelled “parallel societies” (over 50% residents classified as “non-Western”) are excluded from family reunification rights, a provision that has drawn international criticism for its discriminatory impact.

These family migration deterrents have sharply reduced applications, a factor the UK now seeks to emulate in its planned reforms.

Temporary Residency and Restricted Asylum

Denmark’s philosophy treats asylum and refugee status as temporary rather than permanent protection:

The majority of asylum seekers are only granted a temporary stay. Permanent residency is obtainable only after years of continuous employment, language proficiency, and meeting strict legal criteria.
Refugees are expected to return to their country of origin as soon as the Danish government deems it safe to do so. Residency can be revoked under changing circumstances in their homeland.
There are three different levels of refugee protection: UN quota refugees, those personally persecuted, and those at generalised risk, with the highest tier reserved for the most vulnerable.

The UK government, facing public pressure and the challenge of small boat crossings in the Channel, is now considering restrictions on most asylum seekers to temporary status, echoing Danish practice.

Enforcement and Integration Measures

Denmark’s integration approach blends strict legal enforcement with controversial policies:

Apartment blocks in “parallel societies” can be demolished or sold by the state, aiming to disrupt concentrated migrant communities and force integration.
The integration law also mandates cultural training for children of immigrants as young as one year old, adding layers of social pressure for assimilation.
The Danish Immigration Service expedites the removal of individuals who have committed crimes or failed to meet residency criteria.
Voluntary return programs assist migrants who do not qualify for ongoing residency in Denmark, enabling them to leave with support, thereby upholding the system’s “return-first” philosophy.

The UK government is particularly interested in Denmark’s ability to quickly remove rejected asylum seekers and streamline deportations of those with no legal right to stay.

Impact and International Criticism

Denmark’s policies have delivered results: asylum applications fell to their lowest level in forty years, and 95% of rejected asylum seekers were removed in 2024. However, the system has sparked significant controversy:

Human rights groups and UN experts have condemned the “ghetto laws” and strict cultural integration requirements, claiming they violate international conventions and disproportionately target ethnic minorities.
Danish officials defend the rules as necessary for social cohesion, integration, and maintaining manageable migration levels.

Within the UK, the Labour Party is divided. Some MPs from vulnerable districts support stricter controls, while others warn against adopting measures seen as hostile or extreme.