Extension of validity of permits for those displaced from Ukraine
Following the EU decision to extend permits under the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) for Ukrainians, Denmark announced it will do the same. Residence permits held by this group are now valid until March 2027.
Denmark is not bound by the TPD, but passed a special act for people displaced from Ukraine which mirrors it. Almost 60 000 applications have been assessed under the special act, with approximately 53 000 permits granted. Approximately 34 000 permits were extended between December 2024 and April 2025.
New system for social benefits affects migrants
The Danish government introduced reforms to the system for social benefits paid to those without employment, including people who are migrants, effective from 1 July.
The new system comprises three main allowance categories: minimum rate, basic rate and increased rate. There is also a ‘work obligation’ which requires that anyone receiving benefit support undertakes a mandatory programme run by the local administrations which can include internships and language training.
The work obligation and minimum rate are both targeted at people with a refugee or other migration background, especially women from third countries who are outside the labour market. The minimum rate replaces the current ‘self-sufficiency and return benefit or transition benefit’, which is a reduced rate for newcomers. A full breakdown of the details can be found online.
New scheme facilitates labour migration from 16 countries
The Danish government presented a new work scheme for labour migrants, wherein the required minimum income level is reduced to EUR 40 200 per year for workers from certain non-EU countries, on the condition that they are employed by a company that has a salary agreement with a trade union. The scheme also states that ID cards must now be carried at all major building sites in the future, to help prevent instances of illegal employment.
People from 16 countries will be eligible to work in Denmark under the scheme: those from the USA, United Kingdom, Singapore, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, India, Brazil, Malaysia, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova. Its official start date has not yet been announced.
Language learning in the workplace
The Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration published a ‘knowledge package’ focused on language learning and support in Danish and other Nordic workplaces. The package provides companies, language centres and municipalities with ideas and inspiration for developing their own initiatives in language learning and support.
The package was created via collaboration between researchers from Roskilde University, the University of Copenhagen and the Danish agency for international recruitment and integration (SIRI). It presents research on learning a language in a professional environment along with practical, experience-based information on how to structure and coordinate learning support efforts.
Recent changes in immigration flows and numbers
New statistics on the growing migrant population in Denmark were recently published, indicating that – as well as other types of permit – 83 000 people were granted a temporary residence permit in the country in 2024.
The statistics show that Denmark is hosting a large number of third-country nationals, including people from countries in the Middle East and Africa and, increasingly, India, Nepal and China. 45 000 people have arrived from Ukraine since the outbreak of war there in 2022.
Numbers of asylum applications and applications for family reunification have decreased over the last 10 years, while residence permits issued to migrants for work or study purposes have risen significantly. This is reflected in increasing employment rates among migrants arriving from outside the EU.
Research and new projects focus on elderly migrants
Denmark has seen recent growth in its population of elderly migrants from countries outside Europe, for the most part due to the ageing of those who arrived as migrant workers in the 1980s – from Turkey, Pakistan and Morocco – and those who arrived as refugees in the 1990s, displaced by conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
Research by the National research and analysis centre for welfare (VIVE) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has found that this population tends to experience lower levels of wealth and health, and is at greater risk of loneliness and isolation, than the wider population. With this in mind, two initiatives were launched by civil society: the Sesam initiative and Senior Communities (Seniorfællesskaber).
The Sesam initiative is working to establish communities for the elderly and their relatives across the country, with three groups created in Copenhagen so far. It was established under the umbrella of The Foundation for Social Responsibility, which also runs other successful integration projects. Senior Communities is an ongoing initiative by the DRC to facilitate voluntary support for elderly refugees across the country. Seven ‘communities’ have been established so far, with more in development.
New official website launched for migrants
The Agency for Digital Government launched a new official website for newcomers to Denmark. It provides easy access to information on the tax, education, pension and health insurance systems, on housing, on the processes for securing a driving licence and a digital ID, and more.
Until now, some official information crucial to the integration of newcomers has been available only in Danish, meaning that some migrants have struggled to find or understand the documents they need. The new website aims to overcome this obstacle by sharing information and updates entirely in English.
August updates from the national integration barometer
Denmark’s ‘Integration Barometer’ has been tracking progress towards the achievement of the country’s nine integration goals since 2012. These goals relate to the integration of refugees and migrants from third countries, specifically in relation to work, education, language, active citizenship, equality, self-determination and crime. Reports are published annually by Statistics Denmark and the Ministry for Immigration and Integration, demonstrating clear progress on the majority of goals each year. Continuing this trend, the recently published August 2025 report shows progress in all but two of the goals.
A special focus of the barometer is those displaced from Ukraine. In total, 54 587 people have been granted temporary residence in Denmark since the outbreak of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with 37 433 still registered as of May 2025. Within this group, 11 400 people are enrolled in Danish language school, 91% of children aged 0-16 years are attending day care or school, 59% of adults aged 18-66 years are employed and 26% receive basic unemployment benefits. These figures are generally lower than those of other refugee groups in Denmark, however considering the relatively short time frame (3.5 years) they can be said to indicate successful integration.
New measures introduced to tackle honour-related crime
The Danish government launched a 3-year plan to tackle instances of conflict, violence, and coercive behaviour associated with restrictive family or community norms.. Issues of honour-based violence and so-called ‘negative social control’ (a recognised term in Denmark which refers to pressure, coercion, restrictions or surveillance exercised by a family, community, or network that severely limits an individual’s freedom to make independent choices about their own life) have been a key concern in the development of Danish integration policy in recent years, as people – women, in particular – belonging to certain migrant groups have been particularly affected.
The plan comprises 22 initiatives including the employment of counsellors at youth education institutions and the establishment of dedicated places at women’s shelters. A recent legal proposal also suggests imposing higher penalties for honour-related crimes.