About Denmark Citizenship and Residency

Denmark does not have a direct citizenship-by-investment program. Denmark has thrown open its doors to entrepreneurs looking to permanently settle in Denmark. Through the Startup Denmark program.  Start-up Denmark is a visa scheme that was launched on 1st January 2015 by the Danish Government to allow talented entrepreneurs to relocate and grow high-impact start-ups in Denmark. An entrepreneur with an innovative business idea, which can contribute to the growth and new employment in Denmark can be granted a residence and work permit in order to operate an independent company in Denmark.

After 5 years of continuous residence, holders of visas are eligible for permanent residency, and after 9 years of continuous residence, they can apply for Danish citizenship.

Start-up Denmark Scheme

Start-up Denmark is a scheme for foreign entrepreneurs allowing you to be granted a Danish residence permit to establish and run an innovative growth company.

Your business idea must be approved by a panel of experts appointed by the Danish Business Authority before SIRI can process your application for a residence and work permit based on the scheme. 

The scheme can be used by both individuals and teams of up to 3 people who want to start a business together in Denmark through a joined business plan.

If you apply for a Danish residence permit based on the Start-up Denmark Scheme, you must have sufficient funds to support yourself and any family members in Denmark (Section 9(4) Aliens (Consolidation) Act) for the initial year. This amounts to:

•  If you apply without any family, you must document that you have disposable funds corresponding to DKK 140,592 (2022 level).
• If you apply together with your spouse, you must document that you have disposable funds corresponding to DKK 281,184 (2022 level).
• If you apply together with your spouse and one or more children, you must document that you have disposable funds corresponding to DKK 327,432 (2022 level).
• If you apply together with one or more children, you must document that you have disposable funds corresponding to DKK 186,840 (2022 level).
• If your spouse is applying after you have been granted a permit, the amount is DKK 140,592 (2022 level).
• If your spouse and one or more children are applying after you have been granted a permit, the amount is DKK 186,840 (2022 level).
• If one or more of your children are applying after you have been granted a permit, the amount is DKK 46,248 (2022 level).

Benefits Of The Denmark Residency

• Settle in Denmark with your dependants for up to two years with the possibility of extensions
• Get access to healthcare & education benefits for you and your dependents
• Gain access to a high standard of life
• Get tax benefits upon getting residency
• Access to business programs and subsidies
• Access to European Single Market for your startup
• Your children get to enjoy free education benefits in Denmark
• You get to travel in all Schengen Zone countries without travel or visa permits
• You can also get job opportunities from Schengen Zone countries without getting to apply for a work permit.
• You can also bring your family to enjoy the same rights as you in Denmark without getting to have any government problems
• It also opens a gateway for Denmark citizenship
• You can easily get your family qualified for getting the Denmark permanent residence permit.
• You are also eligible for getting grants in aid, and also you get to acquire personal properties in Denmark.

Denmark Residency Requirements and Qualifications

The documentation required for the Denmark Startup Visa for Entrepreneurs includes:

• Passport & travel history
• Educational and business credentials
• Applicants must be self-employed and non-EU, non-EEA citizens
• Start-up Denmark is for innovative, scalable and, ideally, tech-driven businesses with clear growth potential. Therefore, businesses such as restaurants, consultancy firms, retail shops and import/export enterprises will generally be rejected and thus not presented to the Start-up Denmark expert panel
• English Language Proficiency
• Meet the financial sufficiency criteria

Permanent Residency Permit Eligibilities:

1. You must’ve lived in Denmark for eight years on a temporary residence permit or four years in some cases.
2. A person of Danish descent is also eligible
3. You must not be a convicted felon that is, convicted of certain crimes.
4. You’re not expected to have any overdue public debt
5. You’re not required to receive any form of social benefits
6. You’re expected to have current employment
7. Accept residence declaration and self-support
8. It’s required you pass the Danish language test

Steps And Timeline

You have to apply for a Denmark Startup Visa on the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration website. Here’s how to apply for a Denmark Startup visa:

Step 1. Create Case Order ID

The first thing you need to do is create a case order ID on the SIRI website. This creates a Profile on your visa application. Choose “Start-up Denmark” as the case type, and provide personal information (name, surname, email, etc.). Wait to receive your case number. 

Step 2. Pay the Visa Application Fee

Step 3. Complete the Application Form

Use the SD1 application form to apply for a Startup Denmark visa. Follow the instructions on filling in the application and what documents you need. Make sure your documents are ready in digital form. 

Step 4. Register Your Biometrics

Take your photo and biometrics within 14 days of your submission. You can record your biometrics at a Danish diplomatic mission abroad or in one of SIRI’s branch offices.

Step 5. Submit the Required Documents for a Startup Visa

The documents you must submit for your Danish Startup Visa application are: 

• Proof of paid visa fee. Attach the payment receipt.
• Copy of your passport (all pages).
• Approvement by the Danish Business Authority’s panel of experts.
• Proof you can support yourself financially during your stay in Denmark.
• Documentation of company ownership (if relevant).

Step 6. Receive an Answer

The processing time for the Denmark Startup Visa is one month. SIRI will notify you via email or SMS. 

After you receive your visa, you can launch your startup in Denmark. There are many public initiatives in Denmark that can assist you in growing your startup. Your first point of contact should be the local Business Development Centre.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass the guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and expediting your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Denmark, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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