Denmark has declared a significant tightening of its immigration policy, with the government announcing on Friday that non-Danish citizens who have served prison sentences of one year or more for serious crimes will face expulsion. The new measures mark a hardline stance aimed at bolstering national security and public safety.
Automatic Expulsion for Serious Offenders
Under the proposed regulations, foreign offenders sentenced to at least one year in prison for grave crimes such as aggravated assault and rape will, in principle, be expelled from Denmark. This represents a departure from current rules, where expulsions are not automatic due to Denmark's adherence to international conventions protecting private and family life and prohibiting inhumane treatment.
The immigration ministry stated in an official release that the change is necessary to address growing concerns over criminal activity by foreign nationals. Statistics from the ministry reveal that approximately 70 percent of foreign nationals given prison terms of one year or more for serious crimes have already been expelled, but the government seeks to make this process more systematic and less discretionary.
Prime Minister's Strong Stance
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed journalists, emphasising the need for European countries to prioritise national protection over offenders' rights. 'It is right and necessary for European countries to sit around a table and say that we prefer to protect our countries rather than protect offenders,' she asserted.
Frederiksen further commented on the unintended consequences of international human rights frameworks, noting, 'When international rules were drafted, I don't think anyone imagined that someone would flee the Middle East to come to the best country in the world and start raping girls and women.' She added, 'At the time, it was absolutely not imagined that the victim would become the perpetrator. And I can assure you that, unfortunately, many of them have.'
Broader Immigration Crackdown
The expulsion policy is part of a wider suite of measures designed to reinforce Denmark's stringent immigration controls. The government has reiterated that refugees must be in Denmark on a temporary basis, and plans to enhance incentives for voluntary returns while tightening rules for foreigners in departure centres.
In a move described as 'unconventional' by Frederiksen, the government is amending legislation proactively rather than awaiting court rulings on deportation cases. This includes requiring some foreigners in departure centres who fail to meet reporting obligations to wear electronic ankle tags.
Statistical Insights and Political Context
Immigration and Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund highlighted that over the past five years, 315 foreign criminals from countries outside the European Union received sentences exceeding one year but were not expelled. 'Many of us find that hard to understand,' he remarked during a news conference.
Denmark's announcement aligns with broader European Union efforts to grapple with migrant integration and stiffen legal frameworks. Last month, the EU began finalising an overhaul of its migration system, incorporating tougher restrictions on asylum claims. This reflects a continent-wide trend of political parties expressing frustration over perceived surges in immigration.
Historical Background and Controversial Laws
Denmark, known for its hardline immigration laws, has seen asylum applications plummet by 90 percent over the past decade, dropping to just 2,333 last year from a peak of 21,316 in 2015. This decline is partly attributed to policies like the controversial anti-ghetto law enacted in 2018.
This legislation targets neighbourhoods with high concentrations of 'non-Western' immigrants, allowing the state to demolish apartment blocks to prevent the formation of 'parallel societies.' Originally termed 'ghettoes' by the government, these areas are now subject to updated 2021 rules permitting councils to create 'prevention areas' where they can refuse rentals to individuals from outside Denmark, the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland.
Areas with elevated unemployment or crime rates face mandatory reductions in social housing by 40 percent by 2030, through sales, demolitions, or lease terminations. However, in December 2025, the European Court of Justice issued a preliminary ruling suggesting the policy may violate the EU's race equality directive, citing increased eviction risks for residents in these neighbourhoods compared to similar socioeconomic areas with lower immigration levels.
Additional Measures and International Comparisons
In a related development, Denmark announced plans to reopen its embassy in Syria and establish cooperation with Afghanistan, signalling a strategic approach to migration management. The country has also implemented a ban on wearing face veils in public since 2018, aligning with nations like France, Austria, and Belgium in outlawing burqas and niqabs to uphold secular values.
Under this law, police can instruct women to remove veils or leave public areas. France pioneered such bans in 2011, and over 20 countries worldwide have since adopted similar restrictions on full-face coverings.
As Denmark forges ahead with its uncompromising immigration agenda, the balance between national security, human rights, and international obligations remains a contentious and evolving issue within the European landscape.
