Immigration to Denmark

Indvandrere

Before 1776 there were almost no immigration controls in Denmark. An exception was the Jews who, among others, had to pay a fee. To find applications for immigration permission, see the Danish Chancellery of the National Archives. You also search immigrants online in Danish Demographic Database www.ddd.dda.dk.

Poles and Swedes
In areas with many foreign workers, you will be lucky to find special registration of foreigners. For example, in Lolland and Bornholm, there were many seasonal workers from Poland and Sweden. In most other areas, however, there are not specific registration protocols for immigrants. If you need to find Swedes, there is good resource available in the book titled Above the Sound, which can be purchased at the Provincial Archives for 125 kroner.

After 1914, the State Police in Copenhagen issued the residence books to immigrants. To find something in this archive - which can be found at the National Archives - you have to know the migrant foreigners' number, or use the name directory.

Films from around the country
If you need to trace people abroad, Provincial Archives will not be able to help you. But you can rent microfiche from Sweden through SVAR, which is part of the Swedish National Archives. You can find SVAR at the following URL www.sok.riksarkivet.se.

Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Family History Centers have limited microfilm from around the world. For addresses and hours of operations, visit the  Center locator.  In Denmark, there are family history centers in Allerød, Ronne, Søborg, Slæglese, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Odense, Horsens, Sønderborg, and Skive.

Immigrants in Copenhagen There is very little material about immigrants in Copenhagen. Look in the Registry Copenhagen police and judicial authorities in Copenhagen Police.

Jews and Catholics, Page 117-118 and 122 Covers the years 1780-1835, respectively. 1818.

Incoming foreigners Page 126 and 159 Covers the years 1860-63, respectively. 1863-69.

Market traveler et al. Page 181. Covers the years 1911-47.