Residence and notification duty

Duty to reside at a return centre 

You are subject to residing at a return centre if:    

• You have received a final refusal of asylum and are not cooperating on your departure arrangements.
• You have been expelled by judgment.
• You have exceptional leave to remain.
• Your residence permit has lapsed under section 21(b)(1) of the Danish Aliens Act. 
• You have been expelled by an administrative decision under section 25 of the Danish Aliens Act.

The duty to reside at a return centre stipulates that you must reside at the return centre designated and as a general rule, stay overnight at the centre every night.

The Danish Return Agency monitors whether you fulfill your duty to reside. If you fail to comply with your duty to reside at the centre, you can be punished.

Permission to stay the night outside of the return centre 

You can apply for permission to spend the night outside of the centre 4 nights per month, for a maximum of two nights in a row. You can be given permission to spend the night outside of the centre due to special circumstances, for instance your need for medical treatment, serious illness in your immediate family, or a visit to immediate family or friends.

Your application can be handed in to the return-centre staff where you are accommodated. Your application will be forwarded to The Danish Return Agency which then makes a decision. Once the Danish Return Agency gives you a permission to stay outside the centre overnight, your permission is valid. Permission is only valid once you have received your permission in writing from the Danish Return Agency.

Duty to notify

You are subject to a duty of notification at a return center if: 

• You have been expelled by judgment.
• You have exceptional leave to remain.
• Your residence permit has lapsed under section 21(b)(1) of the Danish Aliens Act. 
• You have been expelled by an administrative decision under section 25 of the Danish Aliens Act.        

When subject to a notification duty and you intend to stay outside of the designated return centre between the hours of 23:00 and 06:00, you must notify the return center in which you have a duty to reside. 

You must notify the centre:

• Before 23:00 if you are already outside of the centre, or
• Before you leave the centre if you intend to leave after 23:00
• You can only give notice one night. You cannot give notice on multiple nights.    

You must personally submit the notification. Someone else cannot submit a notification on your behalf.

Your obligation to notify can be submitted the following ways:

• In person
• By telephone
• Online

Notification can be given in person by contacting an employee at the return centre.

Notification can be given by telephone by calling (+45) 65 99 77 99 and entering the necessary information through instruction provided.

Notification can be given online at newtodenmark.dk / Ny i Danmark  

The Danish Return Agency monitors whether you fulfill your notification duty. If you fail to comply with your duty to notify the centre, you can be punished.