Family reunification under EU rules

When the Danish rules cannot be met

The Danish rules for spousal reunification are among the strictest in Europe – with the 24-year rule, a bank guarantee, housing requirements and integration requirements. But Danish citizens who have used their right to free movement in another EU country may instead be covered by the EU rules. Here the Danish requirements do not apply.

The best-known route is the Sweden model: The couple moves to e.g. Malmö, the Danish citizen works or runs a business in Sweden, and the spouse obtains a residence card under the EU rules. After a genuine stay, the couple can return to Denmark and apply under the EU rules here.

How it works

• Residence in Sweden: The Danish citizen must have an EU right of residence in Sweden as a worker, self-employed person, student or self-sufficient person. Being registered under the Nordic rules alone is not enough
• Population registration (folkbokföring): The Swedish Tax Agency requires that you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year, and all family members must attend in person
• Residence card (uppehållskort): The spouse applies to the Swedish Migration Agency. It is free, valid for up to 5 years, and 75% of cases are decided within 6 months
• Return to Denmark: When the stay has been genuine and effective, the spouse can apply to SIRI under the EU rules. There is no fee, and processing normally takes 3 months (up to 4 months)

What does a “genuine and effective” stay require?

The authorities assess whether you have actually lived in the other country and have “drawn the consequences that naturally follow from having moved”. This is documented with e.g. rent, expenses for groceries and utilities and proof of physical presence. The EU Court of Justice has linked the right to a stay of more than 3 months (the O. and B. case), and the basis of residence must be maintained right up to the return. The application must be submitted at the same time as or shortly after the return.

Cross-border workers

If you live in Denmark and work in another EU country – or provide services across the border as a self-employed person – you may also be covered by the EU rules. SIRI considers whether a substantial part of the work (around 30%) is cross-border.

Common pitfalls

• The Danish citizen has no EU basis of residence in Sweden (e.g. only Nordic registration without work)
• The stay is not genuine – e.g. an address where you do not live
• Too much time passes between the return and the application
• The authorities suspect a marriage of convenience – this is assessed based on e.g. how the couple met, a common language and finances

We help plan the process, document the stay and submit the applications in both Sweden and Denmark, so you avoid refusals on details.

Frequently asked questions

Do the 24-year rule and the bank guarantee apply under the EU rules?

No. Under the EU rules, the Danish requirements on age, bank guarantee, housing and integration do not apply.

How long do we have to live in Sweden?

SIRI does not state a fixed minimum period, but the stay must be genuine and effective, and the EU Court of Justice has linked the right to a stay of more than 3 months. For population registration, the Swedish Tax Agency requires that you plan to live in Sweden for at least one year.

What do the authorities charge?

The residence card in Sweden and the application to SIRI under the EU rules are free of charge.

Can I live in Denmark and work in Sweden?

Yes. As a cross-border worker, you may be covered by the EU rules if a substantial part of your work takes place in another EU country.

Last updated September 2026. Source: nyidanmark.dk – Danish citizen under the EU rules, migrationsverket.se – Family of EU/EEA citizens, skatteverket.se – Moving to Sweden. Amounts and rules change regularly – we always check the current requirements in your case.