Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Denmark to Tighten Deportation Laws
Denmark's government wants to make it easier to send some foreigners, especially criminals, back to their home countries.
They say the rules from a big European court are too soft and stop them from doing this.
The new rules would start in May and include things like tracking people with electronic tags and opening an embassy in Syria to send people back there.
The government is doing this because they think many countries agree with them, even though it might cause legal problems.
Denmark has been giving asylum to fewer people in recent years, mostly from countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
Denmark plans to introduce legislation to expel more foreigners, including criminals, despite potential clashes with the European Court of Human Rights.
The proposed reforms include electronic tagging for people without residency permits, reopening the embassy in Syria, and appointing a deportation envoy.
The legislation is set to take effect from May 1, 2025, if approved, and aims to address frustration with the European court blocking deportations.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's government is under pressure from nationalist and anti-immigration parties ahead of an election due by October 31, 2025.
Denmark granted asylum to 839 people in the first 11 months of 2025, on track to approve fewer than 1,000 claims for the year.
- Who
- Denmark's centre-right coalition government, led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
- What
- Introduction of legislation to expel more foreigners, including criminals, despite potential clashes with the European Court of Human Rights
- When
- Proposed legislation to take effect from May 1, 2025, if approved
- Where
- Denmark
- Why
- To address frustration with the European Court of Human Rights blocking deportations and to respond to pressure from nationalist and anti-immigration parties
- Country
- Denmark
- Proposed Legislation
- Expulsion of more foreigners, including criminals
- Effective Date
- May 1, 2025 (if approved)
- Key Measures
- Electronic tagging, reopening embassy in Syria, appointing deportation envoy
- Asylum Grants (2025)
- 839 in first 11 months, on track for fewer than 1,000
- Main Asylum Applicants
- Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia
- Government Coalition
- Social Democratic Party, Moderates, Liberal Party
- Election Deadline
- October 31, 2025