In connection to your application for family reunification, your spouse/partner in Denmark must normally post a collateral in the form of a financial guarantee. The collateral may be reduced or released under certain circumstances.
Reduction of the collateral guarantee
In connection to your application for family reunification, your spouse/partner in Denmark must normally post DKK 61,709.34 (2026 level) in collateral in the form of a financial guarantee. You can apply to have the demand guarantee reduced by DKK 12,341.87 (2026 level) when you have passed a test in Danish at A1 level.
The demand guarantee can be reduced by another DKK 6,170.93 (2026 level) if you pass a test in Danish at A2 level. Read more about the tests in Danish
Finally, the demand guarantee is reduced by a further DKK 6,170.93 (2026 level) when you have passed a final Danish language test under the Act on Danish courses or have passed another Danish language test at an equivalent to or higher level. The tests that can be a replacement are listed in appendix 3a and 3b of the agreement on citizenship of 20 April 2021 according to the circular letter no. 9461 of 17 June 2021 about naturalization (in Danish only).
Release of the collateral guarantee
The demand guarantee can be released if you:
- have been granted a permanent residence permit, or
- have been granted a residence permit on other grounds.
The demand guarantee can also be released once it has been posted for a total period of 10 years from the start date of the original guarantee and the guarantee has not expired yet.
Furthermore, the demand guarantee can be released if your residence permit has expired, lapsed, been revoked or denied extension, and your spouse/partner can document that you have left Denmark or have died. Any public assistance paid to you must have been repaid.
Your spouse/partner in Denmark cannot have the demand guarantee released simply because the two of you are no longer living together, or because the two of you have filed for or have been granted separation/divorce.
If you have already passed one or more of the above mentioned tests in Danish at the time when you are granted your residence permit, the amount for which the collateral must be posted will be reduced already at that time.
If you have any questions about the reduction or release of the demand guarantee, please contact your local municipality.
Last updated: