Danish High Court Upholds Citizenship Denial Over Public Benefits

Denmark's High Court ruled that denying citizenship to a disabled applicant is legal. The decision impacts foreign residents relying on public support benefits. The Eastern High Court rejected a discrimination lawsuit against the Ministry of Immigration.

A Palestinian woman filed the lawsuit after her application failed in February 2023. She could not meet Denmark's strict self-sufficiency requirement. She arrived in Denmark in 1999. A traffic accident in 2009 permanently reduced her capacity to work.

Authorities approved her for a flexjob employment arrangement. When she lost work, she received public unemployment benefits. These benefits made her ineligible for Danish citizenship.

Her lawyer argued the rule creates an impossible barrier for flexjob workers. People in flexjobs cannot join standard unemployment funds. If they lose work, they must take public benefits. The lawyer claimed this policy indirectly discriminates against people with disabilities.

However, the High Court disagreed and backed the ministry. The court moved the case directly from the district level due to its importance. The woman's legal team plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. This reporting comes from the Copenhagen Post.