Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but has wide-ranging autonomy, which was extended in 2009. However, this does not include foreign and security policy or currency policy (Norden, 2025). Because Greenland has received relatively few migrants, integration is not explicitly defined within the responsibilities of the Greenlandic government, and no dedicated integration legislation currently exists (Government of Greenland, 2025a). However, responsibilities for the different parts of the integration process are shared by Naalakkersuisut (Government of Greenland); the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and the Interior; the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Church; and local municipalities.
Although Greenland has not adopted an Integration Act, there are various political and legislative measures in place that address integration indirectly. As a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, immigration and asylum policies remain primarily under Danish jurisdiction (Statsministeriet, 2009). Greenland and Denmark plan to strengthen co-operation in the area of immigration and integration in response to a growing number of foreign nationals moving to Greenland (Government of Greenland, 2025b). Integration efforts in Greenland are generally managed by local authorities through existing public services, as the self-government holds responsibility for housing, education, and social services (Schultz-Nielsen, 2021).
Labour market participation is the cornerstone of the integration process in Greenland. Most people move to Greenland in connection with specific employment relationships. In many cases, integration therefore takes place through the workplace connection. To date, there has been only one case where asylum was granted in Greenland (Personal communications, 2025).
The Aliens Act of Denmark (Udlændingeloven) does not automatically apply to Greenland (Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet, 2024). However, in 2001, the Danish Aliens Act (LBK nr. 1009 af 02/09/2024) was extended to Greenland with specific amendments to accommodate local circumstances (Indenrigs- og Sundhedsministeriet, 2001). Further amendments were made in 2023 to address the application of the Schengen Convention in Greenland (Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet, 2023a). According to the Self-Governing Act, any Danish law that applies directly to Greenland, including the Aliens Act, must be approved by the Greenlandic Parliament. Therefore, the latest amendments to the Aliens Act, outlined in 2023, came into force in 2025 (Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet, 2025a). A more formal integration is described primarily through a linguistic focus. The most recent coalition agreement among the ruling parties states that Greenlandic is the national language and outlines the government’s commitment to strengthening the integration of immigrants (Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut and Atassut, 2024). Language integration is further outlined in the Inatsisartut Act on Language Policy, which highlights that linguistic integration is directed towards (1) those who need to learn Greenlandic, (2) those who need to learn Danish or English, and (3) those needing an introduction to Greenlandic culture, history, and social conditions (Government of Greenland, 2010).
Future priorities for immigrant integration in Greenland include continued government efforts to support immigrants settling in the country. According to the coalition agreement between the ruling parties, plans are also underway to develop technologies that strengthen the use of the Greenlandic language, particularly within the labour market. Greenland remains committed to promoting more active use of Greenlandic in everyday life, especially in legal and economic contexts, while acknowledging that, for the foreseeable future, Danish will continue to play a significant role in the public sphere, with translations provided into Greenlandic (Demokraatit, Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut and Atassut, 2024).