New to Denmark

The regulation means that your residence permit or right to reside in Denmark will be forced to lapse if you participate in activities that threaten, or have the potential to threaten, national security, the public order or the security of other states.

A residence permit or a right to reside will be forced to lapse unless this would be in conflict with Denmark’s international obligations. Decisions about whether forcing your right to reside in Denmark to lapse would be in conflict with Denmark’s international obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention on Refugees, will be made on a case-by-case basis.

If you are covered by EU rules, forcing your right to reside in Denmark to lapse can only occur in compliance with the principals that apply for limitation of the right of free movement under EU rules.

Under the special regulation you also risk being permanently barred from returning to Denmark. This means that you will not be permitted to enter or reside in Denmark. If your right to reside or your residence permit is forced to lapse because you have travelled abroad to participate in the above-mentioned activities, you will normally be unable to obtain a new residence permit and you are permanently barred from returning to Denmark.

The special regulation about residence and activities in a conflict area apply to stays abroad after 1 March 2015.

Dispensation

If you have travelled abroad to participate in an armed conflict or the like, you can apply to be permitted to retain your residence permit/right to reside in Denmark. Applications for dispensation from the rules for cancellation must be submitted to the Immigration Service. Dispensation can only be given if you can prove that there was a valid reason for your travel abroad.

Dispensation can be granted if you can document that you did not participate in in armed conflict or the like during your stay abroad, even though there is reason to believe that you did. Dispensation can also be granted if you have participated in armed conflict or the like as an act of self-defense, for example if you are a journalist or aid worker.

Lapsing caused by travelling to conflict areas