Denmark’s Strict Immigration Policy Lowers Asylum Applications to Record Low

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Denmark has tightened its immigration rules, granting only 860 asylum requests last year—the lowest in years.

Under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Denmark is sticking to policies that limit the number of refugees and asylum seekers.

Record-low asylum numbers reflect hardline approach

Denmark, home to nearly six million people, received 2,300 asylum applications in 2024 but approved only 860, the lowest number on record.

Since taking office in 2019, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has followed a “zero-refugee” policy. Her government has continued two decades of immigration restrictions shaped by right-wing influence.

Though she leads a center-left coalition, Frederiksen has maintained strict asylum limits and tight residency rules.

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Policies designed to deter migrants

Denmark has passed several laws to limit immigration. A 2018 law set a goal to keep “non-Western” residents below 30% in certain housing areas by 2030.

In 2021, lawmakers expanded the policy, letting towns create “prevention areas” where landlords can refuse to rent to people from outside Denmark, the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland.

Denmark has also chosen not to follow the EU’s common asylum policy. Instead, the government has made agreements to keep tighter control over asylum seekers.

These measures aim to discourage refugees from choosing Denmark as their destination.

Public support, political landscape

Frederiksen’s strict immigration policies have strong support among Danish voters. Many working-class and left-leaning citizens back the restrictions, seeing them as a way to protect public safety and economic stability.

“There is broad consensus that we cannot accept an endless number of refugees,” said Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek.

He estimated that 80-85% of Denmark’s political parties agree on reducing migration while adhering to international human rights and refugee conventions

Frederiksen argued that tight immigration controls help lower-income citizens. “An unsafe society is always a bigger challenge for people without a lot of opportunities,” she said last year.

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Regional trend in stricter policies

Denmark’s strict immigration policies are part of a larger trend in Scandinavia.

Sweden, once known for welcoming asylum seekers, approved only 6,250 asylum-related residence permits in 2024—the lowest in 40 years. This is a sharp drop from the 163,000 permits granted during the 2015 migrant crisis.

Denmark’s approach has drawn criticism from human rights groups but remains popular at home. It also reflects a broader shift toward stricter asylum policies across Europe.

As the European Union (EU) prepares to introduce new asylum rules in 2026, Denmark’s independent stance raises questions about the future of migration in the region.

Strict borders for travelers, migrants

Denmark’s strict immigration policies affect more than just asylum seekers. They could also impact short-term visitors, long-term residents, and people looking to move to Europe.

For tourists, Denmark’s tough stance does not change entry rules, but it reflects a broader push for tighter border controls.

In 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will require visa-exempt travelers from countries like the US, the UK, and Australia to get pre-approval before entering the Schengen Area, which includes Denmark.

The ETIAS is not a visa, but it adds an extra step for visitors, showing a shift toward stricter entry rules across the EU.

Long-term visitors and migrants may face bigger hurdles. Denmark’s policies aim to reduce non-Western migration and make residency harder to get. Other European countries considering stricter immigration rules may look to Denmark’s approach.

At the same time, people applying for Schengen visas—which allow travel across most of Europe—may face tougher screening as concerns over illegal migration grow.

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A possible blueprint for stricter policies

Denmark’s migration policies do not stand alone. Other EU countries, especially those facing political pressure on immigration, may adopt similar tough asylum rules and stricter residency requirements.

As the EU prepares to roll out new asylum regulations in 2026, Denmark has already secured an exemption. Countries with growing anti-immigration sentiment—such as Sweden, Austria, and the Netherlands—may push for similar opt-outs or stricter national policies.

Even nations with traditionally open immigration policies, like Germany and France, face pressure to tighten controls.

France has strengthened deportation rules, and Germany is debating asylum policy changes to address concerns about integration and border security.

Denmark’s success in cutting asylum approvals could encourage other governments to follow suit, potentially reshaping EU migration policies in the coming years.

The future of Denmark’s immigration policy

Denmark is likely to keep its strict asylum policies in place. Because it can opt out of EU refugee rules, the government can continue enforcing tough migration controls.

With a focus on deterrence and tighter border security, Denmark’s approach is unlikely to change. As immigration debates continue across Europe, other countries may see Denmark’s policies as either a model or a warning about the effects of strict immigration laws.

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