Around 2,000 people who received Danish citizenship in 2025 were formally welcomed at Christiansborg on Sunday, while thousands of newer applicants remain caught in a processing freeze.
The Folketing held its annual citizenship day, statsborgerskabsdag, at Christiansborg on September 6. Everyone who obtained Danish citizenship during 2025 was invited. DR reports that the parliament expected roughly 2,000 participants.
Folketing Speaker Søren Gade of Venstre opened the event with a welcome speech, as is tradition. He said citizenship is both a right and a duty, including a duty to engage and contribute to society. Denmark has given something to the new citizens, he said, and expects something in return.
According to DR, Gade repeated several themes from his speech the previous year, including democracy, freedom and association life. He said Danish society is shaped through communities and active citizenship. He also described associations as a source of democratic education and experience.
The program continued with musical performances, communal singing and folk dancing. Participants were also able to speak with members of the Folketing and see the parliament’s rooms. The Folketing has held the event every year since 2006.
Thousands of applicants still waiting
While the 2025 cohort was celebrated, other applicants are still waiting for an answer. DR reports that the government put the processing of citizenship applications on hold in March 2026. Six months later, case processing has not resumed, leaving thousands of applicants without a decision.
Belong Nordic states that the freeze took effect on March 6, 2026, pending a new cross-party agreement on citizenship rules. Naturalization in Denmark is granted by law, which means applicants must be named in a bill passed by the Folketing.
According to NordiskPost, at least 2,055 applicants were already listed in a naturalization bill presented to the Folketing on February 5, 2026. The same outlet reports that roughly 14,000 later applications are also on hold.
The Local reports that several governing parties have publicly criticized the continued delay. They say thousands of applicants have been left in limbo by the pause, which was introduced ahead of the March 2026 election.
Sunday’s ceremony did not address the pending applications. Gade instead urged the new citizens to take part in community life and in Denmark’s democratic institutions. After the speech, the new citizens joined the singing and dancing and toured the parliament building.
