this post was submitted on 14 Mar 2024

1 points (100.0% liked)

/r/Denmark

153 readers

1 users here now

GÅ TIL FEDDIT.DK

Kommentarerne du skriver her sendes ikke tilbage til Reddit.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Hej, are there any half Danes by blood but not birthright who have managed to get citizenship as an adult in here? (leddit.danmark.party)

submitted 7 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

21 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi all. Forgive the post in English, but I'd only embarrass myself with my current level of Danish.

I'm half English, half Danish adult (30yo). I have English citizenship. My mother (100% Dane) has lived in France, and England for the past 30ish years, having left Denmark in her early 20s for work. She has Danish citizenship exclusively. I have vastly more family members in Denmark, than in the UK,

I never thought England would actually let brexit happen, and that has put me and my brother in a bind. We both thought we would always be welcome in Denmark with a European passport. Now, with British passports, we've essentially become 'half stateless'.

The older I get, and the more time I spend in the UK, the more I'm losing faith with this country. I fully understand the whole 'grass is always greener on the other side' irony to this point, but after having recently had a child, a large part of me wants to be able to claim the right to work and live in Denmark, for the safety and security of my family in the event that I no longer feel safe here.

In 2017, we tried to secure citizenship for myself and my brother. We were rejected on the premise that we hadn't spent enough time in Denmark (roughly 6 months since birth).

Recently, I'm really hoping to try again as I now have the realization that if my English father were to pass away, my mother and I would essentially have no legal right to live in the same country indefinitely. This also goes for my very elderly grandparents in Denmark.

At this point, I'd be willing to move to Denmark for as long as it took, hell, maybe staying if things worked out, to try and get my citizenship of both Denmark and Europe. However, I've never seen any suggestion that this is an option.

TLDR: are there any other half-Danes who grew up in another country who managed to get citizenship as an adult? Are there any new avenues that could be explored?

Thanks.

Dette indlæg blev automatisk arkiveret af Leddit-botten. Vil du diskutere tråden? Tilmeld dig på feddit.dk!

The original was posted on /r/denmark by /u/evthrowawayverysad at 2024-03-14 00:26:00+00:00.

top 21 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

DearMeToo at 2024-03-14 14:05:53+00:00 ID: kuu487v

Even 100% Danes can lose their citicenship. There are some things regarding UK citizens though.https://www.nyidanmark.dk/en-GB/Applying/Brexit

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

Gubbi_94 at 2024-03-14 00:53:28+00:00 ID: kurlz8o

I am not sure you will have a right/be entitled to Danish citizenship under any type of preferred scheme based on the information in your post. You would have had to get citizenship earlier and then live in Denmark for a period of time before turning 22 to even maintain it.

You should also be aware that there was some law changes in 2014 so when looking online it matters whether you fall under rules from before or after. But I unfortunately doubt it would matter as you would have to apply the same as any other foreign person, which would include living here continuously for several (9?) years.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

TheohBTW at 2024-03-14 01:15:08+00:00 ID: kurpgbm

It is highly recommended that you go through the same process as everyone else if you really want to move over here, as it is doubtful that you have the legal right to skip the line, if that is what you are trying to do.

If you are a 'Danish national', this may apply to you.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 01:24:03+00:00 ID: kurqvil

The problem is that I may have enough actual time in the country for this rule to apply, but much of it is as far back as the early 90s, and there seems to be no record of this. I think saying I'm trying to 'skip the line' is harsh; there isn't really a line that you're supposed to just stand in and wait to be granted citizenship.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

maaiikeen at 2024-03-14 01:40:55+00:00 ID: kurtk2j

No one can really advise you properly because you'd fall under this:

If you have spent time in Denmark before the age of 22 under circumstances indicating some association with the country. The total of all stays (holidays and other longer stays) should add up to approx. 1 year before age 22 (or a total of 7 years in another Nordic country), and you should have a working knowledge of the Danish language.

All applications are assessed individually and it is advisable to apply, even if you are in doubt whether you qualify.

If you are already over 22 years old you may still apply, but your total stays in Denmark must add up to at least 1 year before age 22.

Applications are assessed on an individual basis. If you are serious about gaining Danish citizenship, you'll need to send in a formal application to get a definitive answer. If you have no record of those vacations to Denmark and proof that it constitutes approx. 1 year then it will be hard. Denmark is quite strict when it comes to granting citizenship.

My best advice to you would be to gather every piece of document you can find on your time in Denmark, maybe acquire written statements from Danish family members about the vacations you took to Denmark etc. and see how much you can actually find. And if you are serious about Danish citizenship then I'd apply with everything you can get your hands on, spend the money on the application and await an answer.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

maaiikeen at 2024-03-14 01:45:54+00:00 ID: kuruc8v

I'm sorry there is no easier way about this though. Luckily, the rules are much clearer now, this whole process would have been way easier if you had been born after 2014. Sadly, you are caught in the old and flawed system where there is not really any telling whether or not they will consider you Danish enough for a citizenship until you actually apply.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 01:49:54+00:00 ID: kuruz63

Thank you. Sadly the best proof we have of any visits pre digital era are slim to none. I think this is more or less the conclusion we came to in 2017, and a shame that there hasn't really been an improvement or clarification.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

maaiikeen at 2024-03-14 02:04:20+00:00 ID: kurx8y0

https://uim.dk/media/9659/ansoegning-om-bevis-for-eller-bevarelse-af-dansk-indfoedsret.pdf

This seems to be the application. Maybe it will be worth it to sit down and fill it out with your mother?

It actually does not seem to require proof of the vacations spent in Denmark beyond how long you were there, who you were visiting at the time and witnesses living in Denmark that can attest to the vacations actually happening. Based on your answers, you should be able to get that documentation and maybe it will be enough.

Best of luck if you decide to go through with it!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 02:10:50+00:00 ID: kury9g8

Oh wow, that could be huge help, thank you! last time we applied it was a back and forth email conversation with someone at the embassy. I'm not sure there was ever a form filled, and that's what we were surprised about.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

maaiikeen at 2024-03-14 02:24:56+00:00 ID: kus0fd6

No problem!

Oh, that'd odd. Perhaps it was a consequence of the embassy being extraordinarily busy because of Brexit? There might still be correspondence with the embassy if you choose to apply via them and not directly to the ministry, but you have a right to apply with the form regardless.

The only obstacle will be that it will cost you money to apply. But if you have the funds and you are willing to make the investment of time and money despite there being no guarantees that it will grant you anything in the end, I would definitely apply.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

TheNakedTravelingMan at 2024-03-14 00:42:07+00:00 ID: kurk546

They are pretty strict on it. I knew a family where half there kids got it because they met the residing in the country requirement and the other half got rejected for not meeting that requirement. I lived about 2 years total in a territory of Denmark and got it when I applied in my mid 20s.

Do you speak Danish? You can always try to secure a work permit and work towards the citizenship requirements as someone who naturalizes. They allow for dual citizenship as of 2015.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 00:50:33+00:00 ID: kurli3t

Do you speak Danish?

Jeg arbejde pa det.

You can always try to secure a work permit and work towards the citizenship requirements as someone who naturalizes

The problem with this is that I now have a family, mortgage, dog etc etc and don't really have the liberty to try and naturalize by just showing up, working, and hoping for the best. I need to be able to find out if there is a more concrete option for anyone with the majority of their family already in Denmark.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

foxybadger at 2024-03-14 06:58:53+00:00 ID: kusvusv

That sounds like the best way. Sadly the laws have become quite strict since of the the last 20 years. Many danes do not feel ‘we’ / the state have a responsibility towards children of danes that have moved out. Among the people that think the stats should allow for re integration, many find that the current options for applying when becoming an adult is good enough. Sadly that causes a situation em where people like you, that reflect on their situation as young adults and maybe first time parents are locked out

considering your family relation is rather strong, if you decide to move your family to DK at some point in the future, it should be easier than normally to get permanent residence and thereafter nationality. However that case could change if you family connections lessen, such as grandparents dying etc.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Ok_Dog98211 at 2024-03-14 00:41:02+00:00 ID: kurjyqh

Since I'm the first one here, I'll give you fair warning, every time this board sees these posts, it gets pretty ugly. People are likely not going to be kind.

As it stands, Denmark is not an easy country to move to, irrespective of parentage. Making the transition at this stage of your life is incredibly difficult. You'll likely face exactly the same hoops, jumps and hurdles as anyone else wishing to migrate. There's the obvious Googling to be done since it's a fairly oft asked question, you'll find good resources. Alternatively, I would ask your mother to reach out to the Danish state and ask the questions directly, they'd be the people best suited to help.

Lastly, search the board, those posts pop up a couple of times a day/week, you'll find the same answers given there most likely.

Best of luck.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 00:47:34+00:00 ID: kurl0o1

Thats a shame. I'd have thought there'd be some sympathy since I'm essentially trapped between being a citizen of a country I don't much enjoy living in, and rejected by a country I'm half born of.

ask your mother to reach out to the Danish state and ask the questions directly, they'd be the people best suited to help

She has herself, and so have I. We were essentially stonewalled without much explanation, other than due to brexit, the number of applicants made citizenship applications slow or stopped entirely. This was in 2017, and I'm hoping to find out if someone who has been through the process more recently has found it to be better.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

proevligeathoerher at 2024-03-14 08:24:26+00:00 ID: kut2pqa

Honestly, I think it's because of a difference in what we understand as 'being Danish' than what other countries might consider in regards to similar situations within their country.

A great example I always use to describe how Danes view you as Danish or not, is by looking at the difference between Viggo Morten and Scarlett Johanson. Both are born to Danish father and an American mother. Both are not considered Danish. If you ask any Dane, Viggo is a Dane. There's no doubt about this - he's Danish, he speaks Danish, he's spent a lot of time in the country and he knows and shows appreciation of our culture.

If you ask Danes, Scarlett is not Danish - she's American with Danish heritage. This is because she doesn't speak Danish, she seems to have no interest or connection to Denmark, and she's never really been here. (Unlike her bother who is considered Danish, because unlike her he does have/do all of those things above).

A perfect example of this is to go look at the Danish version of their wikipages. On there Viggo is described as a 'Danish actor' and Scarlett is described as American-Danish and "American with Danish roots".

So in summary: to Danes having a Danish parent does not automatically mean that you in their eyes are Danish. And that where you are going wrong with your interactions here. To Danes you are coming off as if you feel like you are entitled to a country that you yourself admit you have no bond to other than a Danish parent and some grandparents you've apperantly only visited a total of two months in your entire life. It comes off as entitled and against the Danish spirit.

(And to add, so you don't feel attacked here, because it's not my intention to acttack, simply to explain cultural difference: I'm Danish but my husband is not, I'm currently pregnant with a half-Danish child. I have nothing against any form of immigration and this isn't me saying you are not welcome here).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (2 children)

evthrowawayverysad (OP) at 2024-03-14 01:29:21+00:00 ID: kurrprp

People are likely not going to be kind

You were not kidding... there's a really surprising resentment here. I just want to be able to live in the same country as my family.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

HeroeDeFuentealbilla at 2024-03-14 05:54:52+00:00 ID: kusqa40

I’ve read all comments on here and haven’t seen a single one that’s anywhere near this lmao.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

chaos-consultant at 2024-03-14 06:18:08+00:00 ID: kussd6i

Really, though? Is that really the case?

In another reply, you say that may have spent enough time in Denmark to meet the requirements, which are really very low. That's not a lot, by any means.

The thing is, you have lived your entire life in the UK and evidently not felt any more Danish than having spent at most a few months here, and don't really know any Danish. Which is totally fine. But realistically, you have not been in Denmark any more than some of the more zealous German tourists that vacation here every year.

But then you decide on what seems like a whim that maybe you could just like, become a citizen, with almost zero real attachment to the country, because you think it might be nicer over here.

You really can't see how this comes off as sort of opportunistic and naive?

I'm not even a Danish citizen myself, I migrated here as a kid, but I can still see why people might feel that way, and surely you can too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Puzzleheaded_Hat_619 at 2024-03-14 05:04:30+00:00 ID: kuslad1

My mom is danish and moved abroad 40+ years ago. My dad is German and I am born and raised in Germany. I wanted to move from Ger to DK some 25+ years ago. Applied for a Danish passport at the local embassey and got granted citizenship almost immediately. These were simpler times... I have no idea how rules and laws plays out these days...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 7 months ago

foxybadger at 2024-03-14 06:47:37+00:00 ID: kusuwlh

It seems you would apply to the princess rule then. In early eigithies a law was put in to help children born of danish mothers outside of denmark. It would cover people born between 61 and 78. In addition the laws are a lot more strict these days 🥲