Marriage to a Danish Citizen

Every country has its laws that apply to its citizens marrying a person from a different country. Getting married to a Danish citizen with the goal of eventually bringing them to Canada to live is a process with many steps. The Danish government imposes strict requirements on foreigners who marry Danes as an indirect way of discouraging Danish citizens from moving to other countries.

You must demonstrate to Danish officials that they are not currently married to anyone else – either you have never been married, or all divorces are finalized – that your identity is proven and that you have never committed any crimes in Denmark. This is done by providing various documents, including an Affidavit of Single Status, to the Danish government either in Denmark or via a Danish embassy.

If you want to bring your Danish spouse or partner to live in Canada, you must then file a sponsorship application for them to become a permanent resident. If they would like to visit you in Canada while their application is in process, they must also apply for an Electronic Authorization (eTA). For more information, please see our family sponsorship page and our eTA page.

 

Danish Marriage Basic Requirements

In order to marry a citizen of Denmark, you must demonstrate to the Danish government that you are eligible to do so. This includes:

• Original birth certificate, in case of a name change, official court decree
• Valid passport
• At least 3 days residency in Denmark by the wedding date

Documents that are not in English must be translated into Danish first

• Proof that the couple are not related in anyway whether by blood, marriage of adoption
• Registration of family status, must not be older than 2 months
• Declaration of having children, whether natural, adopted or expecting children from another man or woman
• Verification of marital status as single
• Registration of address of residence, cannot be older than 2 months
• Valid proof of entry into Denmark
• Declaration forms obtained from marriage office in Denmark before arrival in the country
• Divorce decree if divorced, Danish authorities must approve foreign divorce decrees

A civil wedding or church wedding can be done. Non-residents are charged 500 Danish Kroner.

Legal marriage age is 18, under age person must have parental consent.

There must be two witnesses at the wedding ceremony.

It takes at least 3 weeks for the processing of the marriage documents.

Asylum seekers in Denmark cannot get married in Denmark.

 

Family Members

If your Danish spouse has dependent children, this does not affect the Danish Marriage document application.

If you have dependent children, they have no effect on the application to marry a Danish citizen.

 

List of Danish Consulates in Canada

Click here

Calling Denmark from Canada

• The exit code for Canada is 011
• The country code for Denmark is 45
• Dial 011 – 45 –  local number

Denmark does not use area codes, however the Faeroe Islands and Greenland use different country codes than the mainland: 298 and 299 respectively.

 

Calling Canada from Denmark

• The international code is 00
• The country code for Canada is 1
• Dial 00 – 1 – area code – local number

List of Canadian Area Codes

Province	Code	Province	Code
Alberta	403 / 587 (southern Alberta) 587 / 780 (central and northern Alberta)	Nunavut	867
BC	236 / 250 / 778 (majority of BC) 236 / 604 / 778 (Metro Vancouver)	Ontario	226 / 519 (southwestern Ontario) 249 / 705 (northeastern Ontario) 289 / 365 / 905 (Greater Toronto Area) 343 / 613 (eastern Ontario) 416 / 647 (Toronto) 807 (northwestern Ontario)
Manitoba	204 / 431	PEI	782 / 902
New  Brunswick	506	Quebec	418 / 581 (eastern Quebec) 438 / 514 (Montreal) 450 / 579 (Greater Montreal) 819 / 873 (remainder of Quebec)
Newfoundland and Labrador	709	Saskatchewan	306 / 639
Northwest Territories	867	Yukon	867
Nova Scotia	782 / 902

 

Time Difference

Mainland Denmark is on Central European Time (GMT+1) and practices Daylight Saving Time, though there are two one-week periods each year where Canada is on DST (except Saskatchewan) and Denmark is not.

Canadian Time Zone	# of Hours Denmark is Ahead	# of Hours during last week of March and last week of October
Pacific (BC, Yukon)	9 hours	8 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunvaut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan)	8 hours	7 hours
Saskatchewan	7 hours*	7 hours*
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario)	7 hours	6 hours
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec)	6 hours	5 hours
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec)	5 hours	4 hours
Newfoundland	4.5 hours	3.5 hours

The Faeroe Islands are on Greenwich Mean Time, so the same time as Great Britain, one hour behind Denmark itself. The Faeroes observe DST.

Greenland’s communities are split among four time zones, Qaanaaq follows North America’s DST schedule and Danmarkshavn does not observe DST. The below table ignores Saskatchewan in the summer, which also does not observe DST, and Danmarkshavn.

Canadian Time Zone	Greenland Time Zone	# of Hours Atlantic Time is Ahead (Western Greenland)	# of Hours Greenland Time is Ahead	# of Hours Eastern Greenland Time is Ahead	# of Hours Danmarkshavn and Faeroe Islands Time is Ahead
Pacific (BC, Yukon)		4 hours	6 hours	7 hours	8 hours
Mountain (Alberta, western Nunvaut, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan)		3 hours	5 hours	6 hours	7 hours
Central (Manitoba, Northwest Territories, central Nunavut, northwestern Ontario, Saskatchewan*)		2 hours	4 hours	5 hours	6 hours
Eastern (most of Ontario, most of Quebec)		1 hours	3 hours	4 hours	5 hours
Atlantic (Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, eastern Quebec)		Same Time Zone	2 hours	3 hours	4 hours
Newfoundland		0.5 behind	1.5 hours	2.5 hours	3.5 hours

 

Danish Currency

The official currency of Denmark is Danish Kroner DKK. One Krone is divided into 100 ore. Coins are circulated in 50 ore, 1 Krone, 2 Krone, 5 Krone, 10 Krone and 20 Krone.

 

Bank notes are in denominations of 50, 100, 200 and 1,000 Kroner. The Kroner was first established in 1873 when the Scandinavian monetary union was disbanded.

 

Emergency Information for Canadians in Denmark

Canadian Diplomatic Missions in Denmark and Greenland

Embassy of Canada in Copenhagen Kristen Bernikowsgade 1 Copenhagen K. DK-1105 Denmark Telephone: 45 33-48-32-00 Fax: 45 33-48-32-20 E-mail: [email protected] Website: denmark.gc.ca	View Larger Map
Consulate of Canada in Nuuk Tuapannguit 48 3900 Nuuk Greenland Postal Address P.O. Box 1012, 3900 Nuuk Telephone: (299) 31-1647 or (299) 55-3289 Fax: No Fax E-mail: [email protected] Website: No Website	View Larger Map

 

Danish Wedding Traditions

Traditionally in Denmark, it is the man who proposes to his girlfriend, but the couple usually buys the wedding rings together as well as shares the cost. The cost of the wedding is also shared between the bride and groom.

The bride buys her own wedding gown and she is not supposed to be seen by the man before the wedding. The bride follows the tradition of wearing four things: something new, old, borrowed and blue.

The bride and groom are supposed to sleep separately on the eve of the wedding day. In Denmark most couples cohabit for several years before getting married.

Ceremony

On the day of the wedding day the groom arrives at church 30 min before the beginning of the wedding and the bride arrives 5 min before led by her father.

Many couples in Denmark however prefer a secular wedding at the city hall followed by a party afterwards.

When entering the church normally the maid of honor goes to the left and guest of the best man goes right.

After the wedding ceremony, friends and family throw rice at the couple as they leave the Church. Danish weddings are attended by a small number of invited guests, usually not more than 80.

The married couple goes through the photo sessions before everyone heads to the reception.

Reception

At dinner there are lots of speeches, songs, fun games, and dancing. There is protocol that has to be followed when giving the speeches first the bride’s father, groom, bride, family (groom’s family) then friends.

At the dinner ceremony, a lot of kissing is involved, if the groom leaves the room men are allowed to rush and kiss the bride, similarly when the bride leaves the room, ladies can also take turns to kiss the groom.

The newly married couple opens the first dance before midnight, a specific wedding Waltz is played. When the dance starts, all guests make a circle around the couple and slowly moving in on them while dancing.

After some time, the male guests lift the groom up and cut off the tips of his socks to symbolize his loyalty to his wife, the meaning is that he should never walk in the footsteps of other women.

At around 2am, a night course is served to replenish the guests partying all night.

 

Food for Weddings

Because of the cold weather and harsh conditions, most of Danish food is very high in energy and proteins, it is no wonder that the cuisine mostly consists of meats, poultry, dairy products and a lot of carbs.

Stegt Flaesk

This dish is basically fried slices of pork on the bone with Danish potatoes and creamy parsley sauce. It is a Danish favourite everyday dish that can also be served at weddings and special occasions. It is also comes in handy during the cold and wet winter season.

 

Smoked Ham

Danes have been preserving meat since 1,000 AC. Smoked ham and beef is another favourite, barbecues, weddings, parties and Christmas events are all times when Danes can enjoy meat and ham.

 

Spegepolse

This is Danish salami prepared with pork and is air-dried. It can be preserved for a very long time and is great with vegetables or for soup.

 

Sylte

Sylte is head cheese or brawn is made from meat from pigs head and meat jelly. This was a popular dish in the Middle Age and is still a special Danish treat even today.

 

Smoked Herring

Smoked herring has been a national meal since the late 1800s. It is also referred to as “gold from the sea”.

 

Pickled Herring

Herring is a must dish in Danish cuisine. Herring is normally enjoyed together with Akvavit, Danish Snaps and can be eaten any time from normal day to day meals to special treats.

 

Ost

Ost is Danish cheese which has roots that back to the Viking age. Cheese is used in cooking sauces or can be eaten on its own.

 

Smorrebrod

Almost every Danish restaurant serves the traditional “smørrebrød” also known as open faced sandwich. The sandwich is served with many different toppings such as pieces of meat or fish, various salad dressings and cheese on buttered rye bread washed down with cold Danish beer and snaps.

 

Beef Tatar

A salad made with raw minced fillet of beef on thick rye bread and butter. Toppings are lettuce, raw egg -yolk, raw onions, capers, jelly gravy, horseradish, sour beetroot and cucumber. Beef Tatar is an excellent snack for any occasion even as a starter in wedding receptions.

 

Cod Roe

Cod Roe was a delicacy in the beginning of the 1900s in Denmark which was served at the high end restaurants in Copenhagen. But up through the 1950s.

The cod roe is made using rye bread and garnished either with the yellow “remoulade” or mayonnaise and topped with vegetables and seasoning as snacks or starters at any occasion.

 

Stjerneskud

This sandwich is also called shooting star. It is a classic Danish open faced sandwich which has a base of buttered rye bread, two pieces of battered fillets, “rødspætte” steamed white fish rolled and on top is a mound of fresh shrimps.

It is decorated with a mayonnaise, black or red caviar, lemon slices. Then a piece of salmon rolled around green asparagus, cucumber, tomato slices and lettuce.

 

Roast Beef Remoulade

This dish is made of roast beef with “remoulade” and roasted onions complimented by sour cucumber.

 

Skinke Italiensk Salat

Danish classic open-faced ham made with mixed Italian salad, tomatoes and fresh cucumber.

 

Med

The sandwich is made with roast pork with red cabbage, cucumber, prunes and orange. It is a Danish favorite that is served as a daily meal or as sandwiches on special occasions like weddings, parties or Christmas among other occasions.

 

Leverpostej

An open faced sandwich made with liver paste, mushrooms, bacon, gravy jelly and red pepper.

 

Stuffed Pork

Classic Danish rolled stuffed pork with gravy jelly, onions, tomatoes and parsley.

 

Salami

Spicy salami made with gravy jelly, onions, tomatoes and parsley.

 

Store Kolde Bord

Store kolde bord also know as “The grand cold table” is a large selection of toppings ranging from herrings, different fish and seafood, salami, liver paste, salads and cheeses.

The buffet can be offered at different occasions including weddings, Christmas or during winter.

 

Roast Pork

Roast pork with red cabbage and small caramelized potatoes. This is the perfect dish to serve to guests at a wedding reception.

 

Pork Sausage

Spicy pork sausage are made with potatoes, stow cabbage and thick brown gravy.

 

Boller i Karry

Meatballs are made with pork and boiled in hot water, they can be served with curry sauce and rice.

 

Kalvesteg

Kalvesteg is roast veal of calf made with potatoes, carrots, green beans and brown gravy.

 

Foloren Hare

The Danish relish rabbit meat, so this dish is spiced minced rabbit meat with potatoes and heavy brown sauce.

Considered a delicacy throughout the country, it can be served at special occasions like wedding receptions or other important occasions.

 

Stegt Flaesk med Persillesovs

Fried slices of pork on the bone with potatoes and creamy parsley sauce.

 

Biksemad med Speljlaeg

This lovely dish is made with pork or beef cubes, potatoes, carrots, onions and fried eggs.

 

Hamburgerryg

Danes love pork and almost every dish or cuisine most likely has pork. This dish is pork loin with stow cabbage in white sauce served with potatoes and parsley.

 

Chicken

Other than pork, chicken is also meat that is also consumed, this is one of the chicken recipes that is creamed chicken with asparagus.

 

Oellerbroed

This is a typical Danish dessert that is served after meals, it is rye bread, sugar, mild beer and whipped cream.

 

Koldskaal

This is a very tasty and delicious dessert made from cold buttermilk with vanilla and flavoured with lemon. It can be served with fruit or cookies.

 

Rabarber

This dessert is made from stewed rhubarb dessert, served with vanilla cream, whipped cream or milk.

 

Aeblekage

This dessert is made with mashed apples and whipped cream. A traditional dessert served on special occasions like weddings, parties or as a normal dessert after meals.

 

Red Berry Pudding

This is a national dessert mostly consumed during summertime. It is made with red berries pudding with whipped cream.

 

Risengroed

This is a rice pudding made with whipped cream and cherry sauce. It is a must dessert delicacy for all Danes at Christmas time as well as other special occasions.

 

Religion in Denmark

Danish citizens are granted freedom of worship and to practice any religion they wish by the constitution.

Lutheranism

Lutheranism is the most practised religion in Denmark with a following of almost 80% of the total population.

The Lutheran Church of Denmark is guided by the principle of the western Christianity, whose faith is for the most part based on the teachings of Martin Luther king junior.

A government minister from the government of Denmark is selected to administer the Church, while parliament has the highest legislative authority over the Church.

12 territories are under the Danish National Church, which are headed by the Bishop. In total there are almost 2500 priests nominated by the Church to oversee various religious rites.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark receives financial assistance from government subsidiaries and membership fees which members can pay voluntarily.

Roman Catholicism

The Roman Catholic Church has been in existence in Denmark since the 10th century when Denmark first converted from Norse religion into Christianity.

Later on when Denmark started following the teachings of Martin Luther, Catholics were less than 5% of the population.

There is only one administrative territory of the Catholic Church in Denmark with a single Bishop based in Copenhagen.

Islam

Muslims make up about 2% of the Danish population. There are several different types of Muslim communities in Denmark consisting of immigrants from Islamic countries all over the world.

According to the constitution of Denmark that allows freedom to practice any religion, Muslims community is allowed to build mosques and follow their religion without any government interruption.

The first mosque in Denmark was built in 1967.

Judaism

Judaism is a minority religion in Denmark despite being one of the earliest religions, Jews represent less than 1% of the total population.

The main Jewish synagogue in Denmark is the Central Synagogue which is located in Copenhagen.

 

Romantic, Scenice and Histotric Places in Denmark

Attractions

Aarhus

Arhus is the second largest city in Denmark with great atmosphere and vibrancy. It is also referred to as the “canon of Danish art & culture”, because of being at the forefront of defining and promoting Danish art and culture.

Arhus is also internationally known as a city with a rich musical heritage. Tourists can attend musical concerts and enjoy their time and stay there.

 

Bakken – Copenhagen

This is the world’s oldest amusement park dating back to 1583. It is a beautiful park with relaxing atmosphere that any tourist or honeymooning couple can enjoy.

 

Copenhagen Harbour

Copenhagen harbour has a rich history and is a well-known landmark. There are countless bars and pubs to visit, shopping stores, boat trips, canal tours and site seeing.

 

Dyrehaven

Dyrehaven Park creates a fantastic combination of outdoor activities such as cycling, trekking and horse riding. This is also where the Bakken amusement park, the oldest in the world is located.

Dyrehaven is a popular retreat for local and international tourists who seek a bit of tranquillity. Newly married couples can come here on a holiday to relax and enjoy Denmark.

 

Gentofte Beaches – Copenhagen

Gentofte beach is a great outdoor location when it’s sunny for sunbathing, swimming, sailing and windsurfing.

 

Rosenborg Castle – Copenhagen

This Renaissance-style castle was built in the 17^th Century originally to be the home of King Christian IV. It was turned into a museum to showcase the history of the Danish royal family.

 

Tivoli Gardens – Copenhagen

This amusement park in Copenhagen dates back to the 19^th Century and it is a haven of fun rides and great things to do whether for parties, family outings or honeymoon retreats.

Tivoli is a few minutes’ walk from city hall near the Copenhagen central station which makes it accessible. Tivoli is the world’s second oldest amusement park and one of Copenhagen’s most famous attractions.

 

Christmas at Fantasy World – Holmegaard

Situated in the city of Holme-Olstrup, this attraction is a Christmas themed park with shopping stores, horse drawn carriages and restaurants all for visitors to enjoy.

 

Legoland Billund – Jutland

A wonderful recreational park with a 5Mtr free fall and lots of structures all built by Lego bricks. There is also an underground sharks and fish tank accessible by a submarine ride.

 

Ribe – Jutland

Ribe is an old town on the island of Jutland, South West of Denmark. It is is close to the Wadden Sea.  It is the oldest town in Denmark dating back to the Viking ages in 8th century, tourists can learn about Danish culture and history here.

 

Borrey Castle – Slagelse

The Borreby Castle is the oldest renaissance-style construction in Denmark still standing. This astonishing castle is located 3 km South of Skaelskor, south west of the island of Zealand in Denmark.

 

Bringing Gifts to Denmark

Duty Free Items

Persons who are above 17 years can bring in a maximum of the following as personal luggage:

• 1 litre of alcohol not exceeding 22% volume of alcohol
• 2 litres of alcohol that does not exceeding 22% volume of alcohol
• 4 litres of still wine
• 16 litres of beer

Persons above 17 years who are under the following criteria:

• Persons residing in the region beyond the borders of the European Union including: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro
• Frontier-zone workers,
• Crews of transport vehicles used between third countries and the community

may bring alcohol in the following quantities as personal luggage

• 0.5 litres of alcohol exceeding 22% volume
• 0.5 litres of still wine
• 2 litres of beer

 

Other Duty Free Items

• Medication for personal use only
• Personal goods of non-commercial nature worth up to 430 euro when travelling by air or sea
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 300 euro when travelling by land
• Personal items of non-commercial nature worth up to 150 euro for travellers under 15 years of age

Restricted Items

• Pets need to be identifiable, vaccinated against rabies and have a health certificate
• Maximum of 10 kg of meat, milk and dairy products imported from Croatia, Faeroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland
• Milk powder for babies, baby food and special medical food (including pet food) may be allowed if they do not need refrigeration prior opening and that it is brand packaged food, the packaging has to have original factory seal, quantity must not exceed 10 kg imported from Croatia, Faeroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland, and 2 kg if imported from other countries.
• Fish if it is disembowelled and does not exceed 20 kg,
• Not restricted if coming from EU countries. Declarable if it exceeds 10,000 euro or the equivalent in another currency.
• Coats, fur and leather shoes made of protected animals require special authorization

Prohibited Items

• Meat, milk and dairy products from non-EU countries with the exception of limited amounts from Andorra, Croatia, the Faeroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland
• Protected species and products thereof like ivory, tortoise shell, coral, reptile skin, wood from Amazonian forests.

 

Wages in Denmark

There is no official minimum wage set by the government, rather it is determined by agreements made by employee unions and employer unions.

Denmark has the world’s highest minimum wage and the world’s lowest income level inequality. Unemployment rate is 7.4% which is below the European Union average of 9.6%.

Living standards in Denmark are comfortable thanks to the extensive welfare system, unemployment insurance and other systems that ensure Danes can lead a good life, however the taxation is high to support these benefits.

30% of the entire workforce is in full time employment, this population is taxed at a rate of 42.9% – 63% which is the world’s highest.

 

Sponsoring Your Danish Spouse to Come to Canada

Learn More

 

Staying in Denmark

If a Canadian has a registered partner (girlfriend or boyfriend) who lives in Denmark, you can submit an application for a residence permit on the basis of family reunion or marriage immigration.

The requirements are:

Wedding Ceremony:

• The wedding should be granted permission by the Danish government
• The marriage partnership should be voluntary not arranged or coerced
• The marriage should not be for purposes of obtaining a migration visa or resident visa

Canadian Spouse:

• Must be 24 years and above
• Should live in the same resident address in Denmark after the immigration visa is granted
• The mutual attachment to Denmark should be greater than mutual attachment to another country

Danish Spouse

• Should be a Danish citizen or citizen of any Nordic country
• Have a Danish residence permit issued on the basis of refuge or protection
• Have a permanent Danish residence permit for the previous 3 years or more
• Should reside in Denmark permanently
• Have sufficient accommodation
• Have the financial ability to sustain themselves

Sponsorship Review

Immigroup will review your completed spousal sponsorship application. . Immigroup will make sure you have not made any mistakes on your application or in gathering the documentation of your relationship. We will assess your sponsorship letter and give you peace of mind that you are submitting an application with a very good chance of success. Don’t lose sleep at night worrying about whether you’ve done enough. Call us at 1-866-760-2623 for a review.