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PASSPORT

Denmark issues 11,000 invalid passports

If you or your family members have been issued a Danish passport since February, it may include a vital mistake that makes it invalid for international travel.

Published: 27 March 2015 12:05 CET
Denmark issues 11,000 invalid passports
Thousands of Danes have been issued invalid passports without obligatory fingerprints, Local Government Denmark (Kommunernes Landsforening – KL) said on Friday. 
 
Passports issued in 44 of Denmark’s 98 municipalities after the date of February 2nd are missing biometric fingerprints due to an error made by private company Scantech, KL said. 
 
A total of 10,947 of the flawed passports were issued nationwide. 
 
Those affected by the mistake will be contacted by their municipality but anyone planning to travel in the near future was urged to immediately contact the municipality’s citizen services department (Borgerservice). 
 
“The mistake is deeply regrettable as it is a requirement that citizens’ passports include a chip with fingerprints. If the affected citizens are due to travel abroad in the near future, they can contact the municipality’s citizen services centre for more information on what to do,” KL said in a statement. 
 
KL said that the Danish National Police (Rigspolitiet) discovered the mistake and informed the affect municipalities. 
 
Scantech blamed the error on a software update and the company said it would cover the costs of a new passport. 
 
A company spokesman said that despite the passports not including the necessary fingerprints, some Danes may have already successfully travelled with them.
 
“You can imagine that there have been citizens who have travelled with these passports and never realized that something was wrong. But that doesn’t change the fact that the passports should be correct and therefore anyone affected should get a new passport,” Henrik Kromann told broadcaster DR. 
 
Without the fingerprints however, travellers do face the possibility of being denied legal entry at their destination. 
 
Denmark has had biometric passports since 2012 that require the fingerprints. 
 
The following municipalities issued faulty passports (number of affected residents):
 
Allerød:177
Assens: 79
Billund: 52
Copenhagen: 151
Esbjerg: 1052
Favrskov: 540
Faxe: 291
Furesø: 149
Faaborg-Midtfyn: 454
Gentofte: 4
Gladsaxe: 424
Greve: 747
Haderslev: 30
Herning: 201
Hillerød: 16
Holstebro: 4
Horsens: 456
Høje-Taastrup: 340
Ikast-Brande: 397
Kalundborg: 190
Kolding:330
Køge: 8
Lemvig: 119
Lolland: 151
Lyngby-Taarbæk: 15
Middelfart: 379
Nordfyn: 215
Nyborg: 12
Næstved: 117
Randers: 768
Ringkøbing-Skjern:15
Ringsted:196
Roskilde: 483
Rudersdal:557
Silkeborg: 3
Skanderborg: 569
Solrød: 301
Sorø:167
Syddjurs: 129
Tønder: 69
Vejen: 519
Vordingborg: 69
Ærø: 2 

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For members

DANISH CITIZENSHIP

Do you need to get a Danish passport after obtaining citizenship?

In Denmark, obtaining a Danish passport is not legally required after gaining citizenship. However, there are several reasons why getting one is a good idea.

Published: 27 December 2023 14:59 CET
Do you need to get a Danish passport after obtaining citizenship?

When you become a citizen of Denmark, you are eligible to apply for a Danish passport, but it’s not a legal obligation.

READ MORE: How to apply for citizenship in Denmark

This approach offers flexibility for those who may already have a travel document from other nations or do not wish to apply for a Danish passport immediately.

However, while not a legal requirement, there are considerable benefits to holding a Danish passport.

Why it’s a good idea to get a Danish passport

The document allows hassle-free travel across the European Union (EU) and numerous other countries, as it’s a reflection of the country’s strong diplomatic ties worldwide.

While new citizens of Denmark are not restricted to using a Danish passport for international travel travelling with a non-Danish passport might require additional visas or entry permits, depending on the destination.

Therefore, the Danish passport serves as a form of identification, simplifying bureaucratic and ID processes within and outside Denmark.

They also highlight to the Danish border force that you are exempt from any restrictions or requirements when crossing onto Danish soil.   

Consular assistance for passport holders

With a Danish passport, you can access consular services and assistance provided by Danish embassies and consulates worldwide.

They effectively extend the reach of Denmark’s government into foreign territories, offering a broad range of services – including emergency assistance, legal services, passport replacement, travel information, and others – that can be vital to Danish passport holders who encounter challenging situations during their travels abroad.

If you face a medical emergency, the consulate or embassy can help you locate medical facilities, contact your family, and provide guidance on dealing with local authorities.

Furthermore, they also offer notarial services such as document legalisations and certifications, often required for legal proceedings in foreign countries.

You can find the contact information for Danish embassies and consulates on this page of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dual citizenship and passports

Dual citizenship, which refers to people legally recognized as citizens of two countries simultaneously, makes things somewhat different.

READ MORE: What does gaining Danish citizenship mean to dual nationals?

Until 2015, Denmark’s policy was generally against dual citizenship. It required people to renounce their previous nationality when becoming Danish citizens.

In September 2015, Denmark changed its laws to allow dual citizenship. This means that you can now hold Danish citizenship and another nationality without giving up one of them.

Once your second citizenship is granted, provided it’s Danish, you’ll be eligible (though not obligated, as we’ve already explained) to apply for a Danish passport.

You’ll have to follow the standard application process, which involves applying at a local police station in Denmark or Danish consulates abroad if you’re residing overseas.

Furthermore, you’ll need to hand in the required documentation (proof of citizenship, ID, etc.) and pay a fee.

The Local has a deep-dive explainer on the rules for dual-nationals travelling in Denmark, where you can find more details on the issue.

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