In 2017, immigration to Denmark stood at 89 400, a 5.3% decrease from 2016. Most of the decrease was due to a lower inflow of foreign nationals (67 400, 6.6% fewer than in 2016). Emigration increased by 6%, to 64 800, with a higher outflow of foreign nationals (43 700, a 10.7% increase). Net migration was positive, at 24 600, but lower than in the previous two years. The main countries of last residence of immigrants to Denmark in 2017 were the United States (7%), Romania and Germany (6% each), and the United Kingdom and Poland (5% each). The main destinations of emigrants were the United States (8%), Germany (7%), and the United Kingdom, Sweden and Norway (5% each). The immigrant population in Denmark on 1 January 2018 stood at 592 000, a 4% increase from the previous year and 10% of the resident population.
The number of residence permits granted declined to 76 900 in 2017 from 80 000 in 2016, after strong increases prior to 2015. The decline resulted from a significant fall in residence permits granted to refugees, from 7 500 in 2016 to 2 700 in 2017. These permits were most often granted to Syrians, who remained the largest group in 2017 despite a decrease of 81% compared to 2016. The numbers of other residence permits remained roughly stable or increased slightly. Residence permits issued on the basis of work activities accounted for 12 800 residence permits in 2017, similar to 12 900 in 2016, and residence permits issued on the basis of family reunification accounted for 7 800 in 2017 after 8 100 in 2016. At 38 300, slightly more residence permits were granted to citizens of EU/EFTA countries in 2017 than in 2016 (37 200) and similarly for international students, interns and au pairs (15 300 in 2017 compared with 14 300 in 2016). International students from outside the EU/EFTA were most often from the United States, China or Nepal, while Ukrainian and Philippine nationals were predominant among interns and au pairs, respectively. The largest groups of EU/EFTA citizens in 2017 were Romanian, Polish and German. Indian nationals accounted for 30% of the new residence permits for labour migrants in 2017, followed by Ukraine and China, while family migrants were most often from Syria, Eritrea and Thailand in 2017.
According to preliminary figures from the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration, applications for asylum in Denmark fell to 3 500 in 2017. This was roughly half the level observed in 2016, only a fraction of asylum applications in 2015 (21 300) and the lowest level since 2008. The recognition rate was 36% in 2017, half the level observed in 2016. In 2016, the most frequently recorded nationalities of asylum seekers were Syrian (1 250), Afghan (1 100), stateless (490) and Iraqi (450). In 2017, the most frequently recorded nationalities of asylum seekers were Syrian (860), Eritrean (370), Moroccan (330) and Afghan (190).
Following a policy change in 2015 that allowed for dual nationality, 15 000 persons acquired Danish citizenship in 2016, by far the highest number since 2010 and three times the level of 2015. Previous nationality was most often Iraqi, Afghan, Somali or Turkish.
In 2016 and again in mid-2017, the requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit (without pre-existing “strong ties” to Denmark) were tightened. Requirements were grouped into basic and supplementary requirements. Applicants who meet all requirements may obtain this permit after 4 years of legal residence, but for others the required duration rose to 8 years. Where residence is based on a relationship (spouse/cohabitee), the foreigner only becomes eligible after (normally) 8 years in the same relationship.
In February 2018, the Danish government reached a political agreement on new rules on family reunification. The changes may inter alia replace the so-called attachment requirement and come after a 2016 ruling of the European Court of Human Rights against exemptions that applied only where Danish citizenship had been held for 26 years or more. According to the agreement, four out of six requirements have to be met: the sponsor has a high proficiency in Danish, was employed in Denmark for 5 years or more, or has spent 6 years or more in education in Denmark; the family member speaks English or some Danish, has been employed for 3 out of the preceding 5 years, or has spent 1 year or more in education comparable to Danish higher education or vocational training.
