Denmark proposes stricter immigration rules for Ukrainians

The Danish government has introduced a proposal to tighten immigration rules for Ukrainians seeking protection. Under the new plan, individuals arriving from 14 regions in western and central Ukraine—deemed relatively safe for civilians, excluding Kyiv—may no longer be automatically granted refugee status under existing special legislation.

Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov stated that the move aims to address challenges faced by some municipalities regarding housing and social integration for the approximately 47,600 Ukrainians currently residing in Denmark.

Additional measures under consideration include introducing a work requirement for Ukrainians receiving benefits and revising school regulations to allow for education in English or Ukrainian, including remote learning. The proposal follows similar tightening of migration rules in Norway and Switzerland.