Denmark tightens deportation of foreign nationals
Photo: Denmark (Getty Images)
Authorities in Denmark have announced plans to tighten deportation rules for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, regardless of their level of integration into society or their ties to the country, according to a Euractiv publication.
Push to tighten deportation rules
In her New Year's address, Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said that foreign nationals sentenced to at least one year in prison for serious crimes should be subject to deportation.
The government plans to present a "comprehensive deportation reform" in the near term, aimed at expanding the removal of convicted migrants. The prime minister indicated that the changes would result in a higher number of foreign offenders being deported from Denmark.
Migration policy and statistics
Since 2015, the governing party has steadily tightened its migration stance, with a renewed focus after forming a government in 2019 on broadening deportation powers. According to Frederiksen, current policy already enables the removal of a significant number of foreign offenders, citing Denmark’s strict immigration framework and a willingness to test the limits of international conventions.
Road safety was highlighted as a particular concern. Frederiksen emphasized that dangerous driving and a culture of reckless dominance on the roads are unacceptable, stating that those who engage in such behavior have no place in the country.
Official figures for 2024 show that around one quarter of those convicted of reckless driving were foreign nationals.
Law, politics, and elections
Denmark is also participating in an initiative to reconsider how the European Convention on Human Rights is applied in migration cases. While many Council of Europe member states support the discussion, Copenhagen intends to move ahead without waiting for changes in court practice.
The prime minister said the government plans to introduce legislation by summer, acknowledging the risk of potential friction with international law as parliamentary elections approach.
Separately, Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service recently, for the first time, listed the United States among potential national security risks, linking the assessment to intensifying geopolitical competition in the Arctic and rising tensions around strategically important territories.
It has also been reported that Danish authorities set up a special monitoring group to track public statements and actions by Donald Trump, to rapidly assess their possible impact on Denmark’s foreign policy and national interests.
