Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

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DENMARK
An assisted return programme was also initiated in August 2002, which provided financial
assistance of up to DKK 20,318 per adult and DKK 6,773 per minor child, for Afghan nationals
who had applied for asylum in Denmark by 1 November 2002. It is reported that about 60 per
cent of Afghan asylum seekers applied for this programme.
Upon submission of an application by the potential returnee, municipalities may grant return
benefits, the amount of which varies according to the alien’s financial means. Financial support
for return is made up of two components – return benefits and reintegration grants, which may
only be granted once. An appeal may be lodged with the Social Appeal Board, if the municipalities
reject an application for return assistance. In principle, negative decisions by the Appeal
Board cannot be further appealed, but the Board may exercise discretion in certain cases. The
government reimburses 75 per cent of the repatriation benefits and 100 per cent of the reintegration
allowance to the municipalities.
In general, assistance for repatriation includes: 9
A one way ticket to the home country;
Freight costs for personal belongings (max. 2 sq. m. per adult and 1 sq. m per child);
A cash grant of up to DKK 20,318 per adult and DKK 6,773 per minor child;
A grant of up to DKK 11,288 per adult to purchase professional equipment and transport the
equipment;
A transportation grant of up to DKK 11,288 for professional equipment already owned by the
repatriate;
The cost of a year’s worth of health insurance, if no public health insurance is available in the
home country;
The payment of prescribed medicines brought from Denmark and limited to a year’s consumption
period.
In special cases, if one member of the family returns to the home country ahead of the others, the
family members remaining in Denmark may be granted housing benefits until they return. These
benefits are limited to a maximum period of 12 months.
Migrants who came to Denmark on the basis of family reunification are entitled to return benefits
only if they return together with the person they were reunited with. However, this does not
apply in cases of divorce or separation, death of the person, or if the person wishing to return
came to Denmark as a minor to be reunited with his/her parents.
Reintegration Allowance
Upon submission of an application for reintegration, municipalities may grant a reintegration
allowance, which is paid monthly for a maximum period of five years. Eligible beneficiaries of
this grant are persons who:
Cannot cover their reintegration needs by other means;
Have a permanent residence permit in Denmark;
Have held a residence permit in Denmark for a minimum period of five years;
Are over 65 years of age, or over 55 years and considered unable to provide for themselves, or
have been granted a disability pension regardless of age.