Britain's new Labour government is looking towards Denmark's stringent asylum model as a potential blueprint for the UK, a move that has ignited fresh debate about the balance between border control and human rights.
The Temporary Status That Deters Asylum Seekers
At the heart of Denmark's approach lies a fundamental shift: the move away from permanent refugee status. Before 2015, refugees were typically granted residence for five to seven years, after which it became permanent. This changed dramatically a decade ago during Europe's migration crisis.
Today, temporary permits are issued for just one to two years at a time, with no automatic path to permanency. To qualify for a permanent visa, refugees must now demonstrate fluency in Danish and prove they have held a full-time job for several consecutive years.
Michala Clante Bendixen of Refugees Welcome Denmark describes this as creating a profound sense of impermanence. "It's about the attitude and feeling of being here as a visitor on a temporary basis. You don't know where your future is going to be," she explains, noting that even minor infractions like a speeding ticket can delay permanent status for years.
A Drastic Reduction in Asylum Numbers
The policy effects have been stark. In 2014, Denmark received 14,792 asylum seekers, primarily from Syria and Eritrea. By 2021, this figure had plummeted to 2,099, rising only slightly to 2,333 in 2024. Of nearly 100,000 residence permits granted in Denmark last year, a mere 1% were designated for refugees.
The remaining 99% included 9,623 refugees from Ukraine—who are categorised separately—alongside migrants from the European Economic Area, family reunification cases, and those on work and study permits.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen came to power in 2019 with a promise to reduce asylum seeker numbers to zero, building on policies established by her predecessor, Lars Løkke Rasmussen. The 2019 "paradigm shift" officially refocused government efforts from integration to repatriation.
The Controversial 'Parallel Societies' Law
Perhaps the most internationally criticised aspect of Denmark's integration policy is the law targeting what were formerly called "ghettoes" and are now termed "parallel societies."
This legislation permits the state to demolish apartment blocks in areas where at least half the residents have a "non-western" background. In February, a senior adviser to the EU's top court found that this law constitutes direct discrimination based on ethnic origin.
Banners reading 'no to forced relocation' and 'our homes are not for sale' have appeared at estates like Mjølnerparken in Copenhagen, which the government has classified under this controversial system.
The Human Cost and Political Reality
Critics argue the reduction in asylum numbers has damaged Denmark's international reputation and core values. Rune Lykkeberg, editor-in-chief of Information newspaper, suggests that incorporating populist right-wing ideas into centre-left politics has eroded the country's standing on human rights.
Eva Singer of the Danish Refugee Council points to a disconnect between political rhetoric and public sentiment. "The politicians say they follow the popular mood, but maybe the popular mood is coming from what the politicians are saying, which is not based on fact."
The temporary nature of refugee status creates fundamental contradictions in integration efforts. "We hear from municipalities it is quite frustrating that, on one hand, they have to tell refugees everything they need to do to integrate and at the same time have to remind them how temporary this is," Singer notes.
Bendixen calls the impermanence "poison for integration" because it denies people the stability needed to learn the language, build careers, and establish roots.
A European Dilemma: Labour Needs Versus Political Pressures
Martin Lidegaard, leader of the Social Liberal party and former foreign minister, acknowledges the complexity of the situation. While some integration elements—like helping newcomers access education and employment—are worth emulating, he expresses pride about other aspects.
He highlights a broader European challenge: "We lack labour; we lack people. Because we get fewer children, our fertility is declining. Our economy and our labour market desperately needs some immigration. On the other hand, it is clear we have populist rightwing parties who want to fight against it."
All European countries, including the UK, face the dilemma of balancing economic needs with political pressures on immigration. As Britain considers adopting elements of the Danish model, the debate continues about whether deterrence comes at too high a cost to both refugees and national values.
