Voluntary repatriation

The word ‘repatriation’ is used about two different things in regard to refugees. One is United Nations’ resettlement program, also known as quota refugees, where a number of safe countries oblige to take a certain amount of people from the United Nations refugee camps. United Nations has assessed that these refugees cannot return to their homes any time soon and are often very vulnerable people. Denmark used to take approximately 500 a year, but we have not done so since 2015.

The other kind is the support program for refugees who want to return to their home countries. The law which was recently passed as part of the Danish financial budget for 2019 has more focus on this form of repatriation than previously and has extended the access to it. But the option has been present for many years. The Danish Refugee Council administrates the program in cooperation with IOM and other organisations in the return countries.

You must renounce your right to stay in Denmark, but you can regret your decision within a period of time. You get an amount of money per person and the half for a child. Subsidies for transport and purchases are also available, for example occupation equipment. Half of the amount is given when you arrive and the other half a year later. Read more about the amount and how you apply for it at atvendehjem.dk. There are booklets and movies in many languages, and Immigration Service will not be informed that you have addressed them for information, so it will not affect your situation.

If you had your residence permit revoked from Immigration Service but appeal the decision to Refugee Appeals Board within 7 days, then you can apply for repatriation after the final decision. In that way, you can secure some financial help, if you end up losing your residence permit.