Overseas territories subject to Danish sovereignty; whether citizens of these overseas territories enjoy the right to live and work in Denmark; if so, whether there exist any restrictions on their enjoyment of these rights (June 2005) [DNK100218.E]

Territories Subject to Danish Sovereignty

The Faeroe Islands and Greenland are autonomous regions of the Kingdom of Denmark (UN 20 Apr. 1995; EU n.d, 4; Information Please Database 2005; US 2 June 2005a; ibid. 2 June 2005b; Legislationline.org n.d.). Though both territories are self-governing, the Kingdom of Denmark retains control over their external relations, defence policy, monetary policy and the administration of justice (UN 20 Apr. 1995; Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 3).

The Right to Live and Work in Denmark

According to Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004, "Greenlanders and Faroese are citizens with the same rights as those in the rest of the country" (Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 3). Additional and corroborating information on whether citizens of Greenland and the Faeroe Islands enjoy the right to live and work in Denmark could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

Other Relevant Information

The Faeroe Islands and Greenland are communities within the Kingdom of Denmark and, as such, the Danish Constitution also applies to these territories (UN 20 Apr. 1995; Legislationline.org n.d.).

It is relevant to note that although Denmark is a member of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), Greenland and the Faeroe Islands are not (EU n.d, 4).

Information on the Website of the Danish Immigration Service indicates that citizens of Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) are able to freely enter, reside and work in Denmark without a visa, residence or work permit (Denmark n.d.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. 28 February 2005. "Denmark." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41678.htm [Accessed 3 June 2005]

Denmark. n.d. Danish Immigration Service. "Nordic Citizens." http://www.udlst.dk./english/EU+and+the+Nordic+Countries/nordic_citizens.htm [Accessed 13 June 2005]

European Union (EU). n.d. European Employment Series (EURES) - The European Job Mobility Portal (EURES). "Living and Working in Denmark." http://www.eures.dk/archive/Louise/Landeinfo/DENMARK2.pdf [Accessed 14 June 2005]

Information Please Database. 2005. "Outlying Territories of Denmark." http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107465.html [Accessed 3 June 2005]

Legislationline.org. n.d. "Denmark." http://www.legislationline.org/index.php?country=14&org=0&eu=0 [Accessed 14 June 2005]

United Nations (UN). 20 April 1995. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (HRICORE/1/Add.58) Core Document forming Part of the Reports of States Parties: Denmark.. http://www.hir.ca/fortherecord1997/documentation/coredocs/hri-core-1add58.htm [Accessed 14 June 2005]

United States (US). 2 June 2005a. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The World Factbook. "Faroe Islands." http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/fo.html [Accessed 14 June 2005]

_____. 2 June 2005b. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The World Factbook. "Greenland." http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gl.html [Accessed 14 June 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted


Royal Danish Embassy, in Ottawa.

Internet sites, including: The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs; The Danish Ministry of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs; The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Greenland Homerule; The Official Website of Denmark.

Associated documents