Denmark has acceded to two conventions under which you can apply for the return of your child. Some countries have acceded to both conventions like Denmark, but please note that this does not apply to all countries. If Denmark cooperates with the relevant country under the conventions, the Department of Family Affairs will transmit your application for return of your child.
Hague Convention
The main object of the Hague Convention is to ensure that a child who has been wrongfully removed or retained in another country promptly returns to the country where the child normally lives (the child’s habitual residence).
The convention applies regardless of whether the applicant has custody under the law, or whether there is a decision or agreement on custody, residence or rights of access.
Denmark currently cooperates with the following countries
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China (only the regions of Hong Kong and Macau), Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, USA and Venezuela.
European Convention
The main object of the European Convention is to ensure that a decision on custody, on the child’s residence or on rights of access made in a convention country is recognised and enforced in the other countries.
The convention is only applicable if a decision has been made on custody, the child’s residence or rights of access. In addition, the decision must be enforceable.
Denmark currently cooperates with the following countries
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Non-convention countries
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can help you if your child has been abducted to a country which has not acceded to one of the above conventions.
