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The Princess Rule – A Special Danish Citizenship by Descent
By Guest Contributor Helle Holm Thomsen
Unlike many countries, Denmark doesn’t offer citizenship by descent, except through a process called naturalization, which typically requires residing in Denmark and meeting several conditions. However, for a specific group of children born between January 1, 1961, and December 31, 1978, to Danish mothers and foreign fathers, a special exception known as “The Princess Rule” applies.
This rule was created after Princess Benedikte of Denmark married a German prince. At the time, children born in wedlock only received their father’s citizenship. To ensure her children could obtain Danish nationality, the Danish Parliament passed a law allowing children born in that period to apply for Danish citizenship under more lenient conditions.
Danish Citizenship by Naturalization
Normally, applicants for Danish citizenship must meet various requirements, including passing language and citizenship tests, living in Denmark for a certain period, and attending a constitutional ceremony. These applications are reviewed by the Ministry of Immigration and Integration and approved by the Danish Parliament.
How the Princess Rule Works
The Princess Rule applies to those born to Danish mothers between 1961 and 1978, who were not granted citizenship at birth. The mother must have remained a Danish citizen until December 31, 1981, and the applicant must have maintained some connection to Denmark, such as living there for a certain period.
Requirements Under the Princess Rule
For applicants living in Denmark, the rule exempts them from some standard naturalization requirements, such as continuous residency. However, they still need to declare loyalty, avoid serious criminal convictions, and be self-sufficient, among other conditions.
For those living outside Denmark, fewer requirements apply. They only need to sign a loyalty declaration, avoid criminal convictions, and prove basic Danish language skills, which are evaluated at a Danish embassy.
Application Process
Applicants must submit a naturalization application and pay a fee. Processing times are currently between 17-22 months. Holm/Thomsen Law provides expert guidance through this process. Reach out for assistance if needed.
The original Article can be found here: https://holmthomsenlaw.com/article/the-princess-rule-a-special-danish-citizenship-by-descent/
Connect with the article author: Helle Holm Thomsen on LinkedIn
Holm/Thomsen Law has evolved from a desire to deliver exceptional and strategic legal counselling on global mobility to both businesses and individuals, covering all aspects of immigration law no matter the intended duration of your stay, or whether your rationale for leaving your home country is due to work, family or to seek protection. Further, we find it important to provide legal counselling not just on immigration aspects, but also on the relevant international family and inheritance laws that come with global mobility.
Holm/Thomsen Law was founded in September 2023 by Helle Holm Thomsen who has specialized in private immigration law for 20 years and in the last three years in corporate immigration as well. This provides her with a deep insight to all aspects of immigration and naturalization laws in Denmark.
This dedicated focus has evolved from our own international experience of global mobility, and our interest in persons with different ethnic backgrounds and history. From this viewpoint, we are deeply committed to offering professional counselling within Immigration law, nationality and citizenship law, national and international family and inheritance law.
