Aspiring Danes in long and agonising slog to citizenship: ‘We wait, we wait, we wait’

In Odense, Denmark, Syrians try to acquire Danish citizenship, enduring a lengthy and convoluted process that has been further delayed due to parliamentary elections. Ahmad Albokie, a Syrian technician, has been waiting years for his and his three children's citizenship. Denmark's naturalization procedure typically takes about two years, but delays are common, often due to elections and the need for parliamentary approval.

After signing a declaration of loyalty, Albokie applied for citizenship in June 2023, but his name was placed on a bill for debate in October 2025, which was postponed to January 2026 due to Denmark's EU presidency. In 2026, a first reading in parliament was set to begin, but it was dropped when the prime minister called parliamentary elections.

Now, the government is considering presenting a new bill in 2027, after all applications are re-examined. Sandra Frederiksen, another applicant, feels like a "second-class citizen" and is disappointed with the system. Her 17-year-old daughter, Jouli, is concerned that if she doesn't obtain Danish citizenship before her 18th birthday, she will have to start the process all over again.

Left-wing MP Peder Hvelplund hopes to expedite the process, arguing that long delays can have severe consequences for children expecting to gain citizenship through their parents. He believes the current system can lead to stigmatization and unfair treatment. The government wants to introduce additional screenings of applicants to ensure they align with Danish values, aiming to grant citizenship only to those who are loyal to Denmark and share its values.