Denmark to Tie Citizenship Grants to Adoption of Core Democratic Values
The Danish government announced that future naturalisation will be limited to applicants who demonstrate support for Danish democratic values and reject extremist positions.
Denmark plans to overhaul its naturalisation rules so that only those who share the nation’s democratic values can obtain citizenship, the Integration Ministry announced. The ministry specified that applicants who promote terrorism, support Sharia law or reject the rights of homosexuals will not be eligible. Prospective citizens will be tested for “anti-democratic” attitudes, with a focus on loyalty, liberalism and the values of freedom and equality.
Since March 2026, the naturalisation procedure has been on hold while an expert group examines methods for evaluating adherence to these values. The foreign ministry notes that candidates from non-Nordic countries must have lived in Denmark for at least seven years and demonstrate sufficient Danish language skills before applying.
Why it matters
The policy could reshape who can become Danish citizens, affecting integration and social cohesion.
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