I submitted my application for Danish citizenship this week.
The significance of this moment hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but I do feel excited and, at the same time, reflective of the journey so far in this Nordic land I’m slowly growing to call home.
The process of applying for Danish citizenship is structured and rigorous. It includes meeting residency requirements, demonstrating financial self-sufficiency, passing a Danish language exam, and, of course, passing the Indfødsretsprøven—the citizenship test. This test consists of 45 multiple-choice questions, of which at least 36 must be answered correctly. Importantly, five of these questions focus on “Danish values,” and you must get at least four of them right to pass.
The values section was introduced in 2021 as part of a broader political push to ensure that new citizens not only understand Danish society but also align with its core principles. The rationale was to reinforce integration by emphasizing shared values such as democracy, gender equality, and freedom of expression. The topics covered in this section of the text generally include legal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals, the role of religion in public life, gender roles, and democratic participation. For example, questions might ask whether same-sex couples can adopt children or whether freedom of speech is protected in Denmark.
The questions are generally easy to answer—if you have general knowledge of the Danish law. They are factual, not interpretive. If you know what the law says, you can answer them correctly.
But that’s precisely what made me pause. Are these questions really about societal values—or just about legal norms? In many countries, laws may permit certain rights, like gay marriage, while social attitudes remain conservative or even hostile. Legal frameworks don’t always reflect the lived reality of societal values. Of course, Denmark may be an exception here, as the shared societal values on gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, freedom, and democracy often find their way to official legislation.
But studying for the exam did lead me to ponder the broader question: What are the real Danish societal values, and are they captured in a multiple choice test? Also, can they even be captured this way?
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made a powerful statement this year:
“Others have come and chosen not to integrate, isolating themselves in parallel societies and distancing themselves from our fundamental values of equality, democracy, and freedom.”
It is clear from her statement what the most important Danish values are, at least from her perspective. However, it is not so easy to measure how well one (especially a citizenship applicant) conforms to them.
From my perspective, the real essence of Danish values might not be fully captured by the test. As far as I can tell, it’s testing knowledge of the law—not necessarily the cultural or social fabric of Denmark.
For instance, and on a slightly different trajectory, I’ve never seen a question about the Law of Jante—a concept that, while not a legal statute, deeply influences Danish society. The Law of Jante is a set of social norms that emphasize humility, equality, and collective well-being over individual success. It’s not written into any legal code, but it permeates everyday life, shaping how people interact, work, and view ambition.
So, while I’m hopeful about a positive outcome on my citizenship application, I’m even more curious about what comes after. Becoming an integral member of Danish society, it seems, is more than just knowing the rules—it’s about understanding the unwritten ones too.
