legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Financial assistance
Work
Refugees following the integration programme and who are not able to support themselves are
entitled to an “introductory allowance”. Until February 2000, this allowance was paid at a rate
considerably below the lowest rate of social benefit granted to Danish citizens. At the same time,
old-aged refugees were not entitled to social pension during the integration period.
This practice was very much criticised and in December 1999, the government amended the
Integration Act, so that aliens following the integration programme are entitled to the same social
benefits as Danish citizens.
Accordingly, since February 2000, the rates of the introductory allowance are as follows:
Monthly introductory allowance
Single adult over 25 years DKK 7.410 EUR 994
Each parent over 25 years with children under age* DKK 9.865 EUR 1,321
Persons aged 18-25 living with his/her parents DKK 2.324 EUR 312
Persons aged 18-25 living alone DKK 4.753 EUR 635
* regardless of the number of children
These amounts are taxable, which means that about 40 % will be deducted before making the net
payment.
Refugee families are entitled to receive child benefit for children under the age of 18 under the
same conditions as Danish nationals.
Convention and de facto refugees over 65 years of age are entitled to social pension like Danish
nationals. Other categories still receive the introductory allowance but at a lower rate than adults
under 65.
Refugees on low incomes are entitled to housing benefits. The amounts granted depend on the
rent to pay and the beneficiary’s income.
In addition it is possible to apply for extra financial assistance in case of expenses, which could
not be foreseen and which are linked to basic needs, such as dental treatment, medical bills,
basic furniture, etc.
Refugees have access to the labour market in Denmark and do not require work permits.
Despite the country’s strong economic growth and a decreasing unemployment (6,1% in 1998),
refugees and other aliens remain heavily unemployed. For some nationalities, unemployment
ranges from 20% to 40%. Women are particularly affected.
Access to adult education system
Except for language requirements, there are no restrictions on the access of refugees to the
Danish education system. In practice, however, it can be difficult to obtain the assessment and
recognition of foreign diplomas or foreign education. In order to facilitate procedures, an advisory
centre for foreign education and vocational qualifications was set up in January 2000 under the
Ministry of Education.
In order to promote refugees’ educational opportunities and job prospects, special courses have
been arranged for refugees. Some of these courses aim at finding actual work placements,
whereas others are aimed at enabling refugees to receive further education.
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Denmark