Table 2 Policies for newly arrived migrants—Denmark

1994 Integration action plan

Responsibility for language training transferred to municipalities

1999 (Act no. 474 of 1 July 1998)

Responsibility for introduction programmes is transferred to municipalities.

Economic and coercive instruments were introduced directed at both municipalities and participants in introduction programmes.

Make newly-arrived refugees and immigrants active participants, self-supporting and with an understanding of Danish fundamental values and norms.

2002 (Act no. 364 and no. 365 of 6 June 2002)

Integration requirements were introduced for obtaining permanent residence permits.

Economic and coercive instruments directed at participants in introduction programmes.

Migrants have a duty to participate actively in the different programme elements.

2006 (Act no. 243 of 27 March 2006)

Migrants must sign an integration contract.

Normative instruments directed at participants in introduction programmes.

Making Danish values more visible.

2007 (Act no. 379 of 25 April 2007)

Immigration test for family migrants is introduced

Coercive instruments directed at family migrants

Foreigners are to receive clear signals about what is expected of them in Denmark.

2010 (Act no. 571 of 31 May 2010)

The Integration Act was extended to include labour migrants and their families plus EU migrants.

Coercive instrument directed at municipalities.

Adjust the Act to a changed migration pattern.

2010 (Act no. 572 of 31 May 2010).

New point based system making it harder to obtain permanent residence permit.

Coercive instruments directed at participants in introduction programmes.

Favour well-integrated while making it harder for “less integrated” migrants.