Migrants’ Access to Social Protection in Denmark

Abstract

The Danish welfare state is together with its Nordic counterparts often presented as distinct. The model has traditionally been characterised as universalist, de-commodified, residence-based, non-contributory and relatively generous. Although social protection in Denmark is still primarily tax-financed and several benefits remain universal, the Danish welfare state has undergone considerable change over time and labour market participation has come to matter more for the social protection provided. Furthermore, migrants’ access to welfare in Denmark increasingly depends on citizenship and EU related worker status. Residence clauses have been adopted for specific benefits. Eligibility depends on years resided in Denmark, unless the applicant qualifies as a worker according to EU law and therefore can aggregate periods of residence from one or several other EU Member States. In sum, social protection in Denmark has become more multi-tiered and more EU commodified.