Danish Immigrants Might Have To Wait For Benefits

18 Sep 2010

Danish People’s Party spokesman Kristian Thulesen Dahl told public broadcaster DR that foreigners moving to Denmark need to first pay commensurately into the tax system before becoming eligible for benefits. He added that the move would mean immigrants would have to secure private health insurance – preferably through an employer – a move which would still allow Denmark to attract qualified foreign labour. The party proposed that immigrants be denied all forms of social welfare benefits for the first seven years they are in Denmark.

The party (DF) did make an allowance in the proposal that the new rule would only apply to immigrants from countries outside the EU.

Earlier, the party has proposed a total freeze on all immigration from non-Western countries and a toughening of the controversial ’24-year rule’. As per the rule, foreign- born spouses of Danes would have to wait an additional four years before they can move to Denmark. The minimum age for foreign born spouses to qualify for residence would rise to 28 years.