Healthcare in Denmark
Denmark has a comprehensive public healthcare system, including general practitioners, specialist practitioners, hospitals, health visitor services, pediatric dental care, and more. Public healthcare in Denmark is tax-financed and the vast majority of health services are free of charge for the users, such as hospital services and visits to general practitioners.
Health Insurance
Anyone who receives a Danish residence permit and a civil registry number (CPR number) is entitled to Danish health insurance. The person will then be issued a health insurance card ('sundhedskort') as documentary proof of the right to public healthcare services. The health insurance card acts as an admittance card to the health care system.
Some choose to get additional private health insurance. Read more about insurance for everyday needs.
If you are working in Denmark while living in another EU/EEA country, you can, under certain circumstances, get a health insurance card which gives you access to the Danish healthcare system.
General practitioners (GPs)
You can access public healthcare through your general practitioner (GP). Your GP can treat some health problems immediately. Others may require a referral for further examination or treatment by a specialist, or at a hospital. Some specialist practitioners can be accessed without a referral from your GP.
You do not need a referral from your GP if you need to see a dentist (not covered by public healthcare) or if you are in need of emergency hospital treatment. In case of emergencies, if someone suddenly collapses, is unable to breathe, suffers an accident or is attacked – you must call the emergency call centre immediately by dialing 112.
Free choice of hospitals
In Denmark you are free to choose between all public hospitals. If public hospitals are unable to provide the required treatment within one month, patients are entitled to treatment, free of charge, at a private hospital in Denmark or abroad which has entered into an agreement with the Danish regional authorities.
For an overview of the scope and organization of the Danish health service, see the publication 'Health care in Denmark' by the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
Compensation for injuries in the health care system
The Patient Insurance Association decides compensation claims for patients injured in connection with treatment according to the Danish Act on the Right to Complain and Receive Compensation within the Health Service.
This law covers injuries incurred in private and public hospitals, and those caused by authorised health professionals in private practice, such as GPs, specialists, dentists, chiropractors etc.
On the website of the Patient Insurance Association you can find out more about the Patient Insurance Association's case administration and the legislation relating to how cases are treated. Visit the website of the Patient Insurance Association.