The following documents are accepted:
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a Provisional Replacement Certificate for the card
- British issued CRA EHIC or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a Provisional Replacement Certificate for the card
- Nordic residents only need to show documentation of residence in a Nordic country and a valid national ID
- Nationals from countries outside the EU and UK can only use the EHIC or CRA EHIC in Denmark if they are stateless, refugees, residents in another Nordic country, or insured as family members of EU/EEA nationals, Swiss, or British nationals.
How do I get treatment by a general practitioner?
To receive treatment from a general practitioner, follow these steps:
- Contact any general practitioner (GP) who is covered by a contract with the public health insurance scheme.
- Office hours are typically from 8 am to 4 pm.
- Outside office hours, call the local emergency service (lægevagt).
- Treatment is free of charge if you present a valid EHIC, a British issued health insurance card, or a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
Find the local emergency service (lægevagt)
How do I get treatment by a specialist?
To seek treatment from a specialist, you usually need a referral from a GP covered by the public health insurance scheme. Follow these guidelines:
- Obtain a referral from a GP.
- Treatment is free of charge if you present a valid EHIC or a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
How do I get hospital treatment?
In case of serious acute situations, call 112 immediately. For other emergencies within the last 24 hours, you can contact the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department (skadestue or Akutmodtagelse/Akutklinik) in a public hospital. Please note the following:
- In some of the five regions, you may need to arrange for a consultation beforehand.
- For non-acute cases, you require a referral from a GP.
- Treatment is free of charge if you are under 18 or if you present a valid EHIC or a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
- Information on accessing acute hospital help in the five regions can be found on the Life in Denmark webpage:
Life in Denmark (borger.dk)
How do I get reimbursement in Denmark?
If you had to pay the full price for treatment due to a lack of valid documentation for your healthcare coverage, you can apply for reimbursement from the public insurance. Follow these steps:
- Contact the municipality you are visiting.
- Provide all original bills, receipts, and referrals.
- Present valid documentation of your healthcare coverage (EHIC, British issued health insurance card, or a Provisional Replacement Certificate for the card).
- Provide your bank account details (IBAN and SWIFT/BIC code).
How do I get treatment by a dentist?
For dental treatment, follow these guidelines:
- Contact any dentist covered by a contract with the public healthcare system.
- The public healthcare system reimburses up to 40 percent of costs for certain treatments.
- However, there is no reimbursement for dentures, crowns, and similar treatments.
It's worth noting that treatment is free of charge at municipal dental care for children and individuals born after December 31, 2003, who are under the age of 22.
By following these instructions, you can ensure smooth access to healthcare services in Denmark in case of illness. Remember to carry the necessary documentation and contact the appropriate healthcare providers for specific treatment needs.
Other Benefits with Referral from a GP:
- Access to treatment by a psychologist, physiotherapist, and chiropodist.
- You are required to contribute to the cost of the treatment.
Other Benefits without Referral and Partial Reimbursement:
- Access to treatment by a chiropractor.
- You are required to contribute to the cost of the treatment.
How Can I Arrange Ambulance Transport to a Hospital?
- In case of immediate need for transport by ambulance to the nearest public hospital, dial 112.
- Acute necessary ambulance transport is provided free of charge.
How Can I Obtain Medicines?
- Present your prescription from your GP, hospital, or specialist at any pharmacy.
- Reimbursement is based on the actual annual consumption of prescribed medicines.
- There is no reimbursement for annual costs below a fixed limit (in 2023: 1,045 DKK), except for children under 18 who receive a minimum of 60 percent reimbursement.
- Visitors will receive a special card with a unique number when they purchase prescribed medicine in Denmark for the first time. Show this card for future medicine purchases to calculate the reimbursement.
- For more details on reimbursement rates for medicines, visit the website of the Danish Medicines Agency (laegemiddelstyrelsen.dk).
Are There Certain Treatments I Need to Arrange Before Arriving in Denmark?
- If you require treatment during your stay in Denmark, such as dialysis, oxygen therapy, or chemotherapy, you must arrange it in advance with the relevant local public hospital in Denmark.
- Treatment at private providers is only covered if you have a referral from a public hospital.
- Public hospitals may refuse to arrange treatment due to capacity constraints.
- To find information about public Danish hospitals offering dialysis, oxygen service, etc., contact the regional patient advisors in the region where you will be staying during your visit in Denmark.
- For questions regarding transportation costs, please contact the hospital.
Contact information for the five regional patient offices
How Can I Seek Reimbursement After Returning Home?
- Apply for reimbursement through your national health insurance institution.
- Submit all original bills, receipts, and referrals.
- Your institution will request information about the reimbursable amount from the Danish regional authorities.
For more information
Contact the municipality of your place of stay for information on rules and GPs who have contracts with the public health insurance.
For general information about healthcare in Denmark, visit the following websites:
The Ministry of Health
Life in Denmark. Borger.dk
European Commission. EHIC