Denmark – Health Insurance

Is health insurance mandatory in Denmark?

Denmark places no legal obligation on residents to hold private health insurance once they are participating in the public system. Expats who remain in the country for longer than three months and who hold a valid residency permit are enrolled in Denmark’s public healthcare system as soon as they obtain a CPR number, giving them the same healthcare entitlements as Danish citizens — no private policy is needed to access public services.

The situation differs for short-term visitors and certain visa categories. Travel insurance is compulsory for those who require a Schengen visa to enter Denmark, and that cover must satisfy specific criteria. For visitors who do not need a visa, travel insurance is optional but still sensible, given the potentially substantial medical costs that non-residents may incur.

Anyone applying for a Schengen visa must demonstrate coverage of at least €30,000, encompassing repatriation costs in cases of medical necessity or death, as well as urgent medical attention and emergency hospital treatment throughout the entire Schengen area for the full duration of their visit. Always confirm the current Schengen insurance requirements directly with the Danish embassy or consulate in your home country before submitting an application, as the rules are subject to revision.

Expats remaining in Denmark for fewer than three months fall outside the public healthcare system and receive no automatic national health cover. These individuals are strongly encouraged to arrange private or travel health insurance to meet any medical expenses during their stay. There are no financial penalties for residents enrolled in the public system who choose not to hold private insurance, but short-stay visitors without cover who receive non-emergency treatment will be invoiced directly for those services.

How does the public healthcare system in Denmark work?

All residents of Denmark benefit from universal healthcare coverage, financed through general taxation so that medical services are delivered free of charge at the point of use. Rather than relying on a social insurance model — as seen in France or Germany, where individuals make earmarked contributions to dedicated sickness funds — Denmark draws on its overall tax revenues to meet virtually all healthcare expenditure. In this respect the structure resembles the UK’s NHS, though the administrative arrangements at a local level are quite different.

The Danish health system is divided across three tiers of governance: the national state, five regions, and 98 municipalities. The state sets overarching regulations, exercises supervisory authority, and controls the purse strings at the highest level. The five regions are responsible for running hospitals and for commissioning and funding primary care delivered by self-employed healthcare professionals. The municipalities, meanwhile, take charge of rehabilitation services, long-term care provided at home or in institutions, and broader public health initiatives.

Since 1973, residents over the age of 15 have been able to select from two coverage arrangements within the statutory system, known as Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 is the default and the choice of the overwhelming majority of the population. Under Group 1, members are assigned to a GP of their choosing who practises within 15 km of their home address — or within 5 km in the Copenhagen area. Group 1 members can access emergency services, preventive care, diagnostic services, and curative treatment without any user charge.

Choosing Group 2 removes the requirement to be attached to a specific GP and gives members the freedom to consult any GP or specialist without a referral. The trade-off is a higher share of costs paid out of pocket for those consultations. The vast majority of residents stick with Group 1.

Coverage under the tax-funded national system extends to all Danish residents, including registered migrants and asylum seekers, while undocumented migrants may access acute care only. EU/EEA nationals can make use of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for short stays before their Danish registration is finalised. The borger.dk national services portal and the sundhed.dk health portal both carry up-to-date guidance on eligibility and registration procedures.

What does public health coverage in Denmark include?

Funded primarily through taxation, Denmark’s healthcare system delivers universal coverage encompassing preventive care, hospital treatment, and emergency services. GP consultations are free for Group 1 members, and referrals onward to specialists are likewise provided without a user charge.

Group 1 members can access emergency services and a broad spectrum of preventive, diagnostic, and curative care at no cost. Patients may also approach dentists, chiropractors, ear nose and throat specialists, or ophthalmologists directly, without first obtaining a referral. Maternity services — covering antenatal appointments and delivery in hospital — are included within the public system.

Prescription medicines receive partial state subsidies through a tiered reimbursement structure. The higher an individual’s annual expenditure on prescribed drugs, the greater the proportion covered by the government. For annual medication costs below DKK 1,070 (approximately €140), patients meet the full cost themselves; for annual costs between DKK 1,070 and DKK 2,570 (approximately €345), patients pay 50%; for annual costs between DKK 2,570 and DKK 6,240 (approximately €840), patients pay 25%; and for costs exceeding DKK 6,240, patients pay just 15%. This graduated approach gives those managing chronic conditions or incurring heavy prescription costs progressively greater relief. (Figures apply as of 2024 — check current thresholds with the Danish Medicines Agency.)

Mental health support is available through the public system, spanning psychiatric care and psychological consultations. That said, waiting times for non-urgent mental health referrals can be considerable, and some expats prefer to pay privately for psychological therapy rather than wait.

Dental care stands as a conspicuous exception to the otherwise comprehensive coverage. Adults are generally required to fund their own dental treatment; only those under the age of 22 receive free dental care through the public system. Optical care and the cost of glasses are similarly excluded for most adults. For a current and definitive list of what is and is not covered, consult the sundhed.dk portal.

How do expats register for public health coverage in Denmark?

Access to Danish public healthcare is directly linked to obtaining a Civil Personal Registration (CPR) number — the national identification number used across all public services in Denmark. Once the CPR number is in place, your yellow health card (Sundhedskort) follows automatically. The steps below describe the typical journey for expats relocating to Denmark for more than three months.

1. Establish your legal right to reside. Non-EU/EEA nationals intending to remain in Denmark for more than three months must first secure a Danish residence permit and then register with the Civil Registration System. EU/EEA citizens follow a different path and need a registration certificate from their local Citizen Service (Borgerservice) office in place of a residence permit.
2. Visit your local Borgerservice (Citizen Service) office. Register at the Borgerservice as soon as you have received your residence certificate. Bring your passport, evidence of your address in Denmark, and either your residence permit or your EU registration certificate.
3. Obtain your CPR number. The CPR number is your personal identifier within all Danish public systems, including healthcare, taxation, and social services. When applying, you will need to supply proof of your residential address, as your yellow card will be dispatched there. Keep this number safe — you will use it constantly.
4. Select your coverage group (Group 1 or Group 2). At the point of registering with the Civil Registration System, you must decide whether to join Group 1 or Group 2. Under Group 1, care provided by a GP and via specialist referrals is free of charge, and you will be registered with a named GP who coordinates your care. Most expats choose Group 1.
5. Register with a GP. You will need to choose a GP who will manage your non-emergency medical needs and refer you to specialists when required. The sundhed.dk portal lets you search for GPs who are accepting new patients.
6. Receive your Sundhedskort (yellow health card). Following registration with the Civil Registration System, you will be sent a national health insurance card (Sygesikringskort). This card serves as proof of your entitlement to public healthcare services across Denmark and must be produced at every appointment with a doctor, at hospital visits, and when collecting prescription medicines from a pharmacy. It displays your name, address, CPR number, and the details of your registered GP.
7. Cover the initial gap with travel or private insurance. For the first six weeks after arrival, your public cover is limited to genuine emergencies such as accidents, acute illness, or a sudden worsening of a chronic condition. Any other healthcare costs during this period will fall to you or your insurer. Holding travel or private health insurance to bridge this window is strongly advisable.

If you are relocating from another Nordic country, the process is somewhat different. Moving to Denmark or beginning employment there means you must notify Udbetaling Danmark of your health insurance circumstances; that body will determine whether Denmark or another country bears responsibility for your health cover. For the most current guidance, consult borger.dk or get in touch with your local municipality directly, as requirements can evolve.

What does public health coverage cost in Denmark?

Because Denmark’s public healthcare system is universal and financed through taxation, all residents receive automatic coverage without paying separate premiums. This sets it apart from social insurance models — such as those operating in France, the Netherlands, or Japan — where residents make explicit monthly contributions to a designated health fund. In Denmark, no such distinct healthcare levy exists; funding flows from general income tax rather than a ringfenced charge.

Working residents contribute to the cost of healthcare indirectly through income tax, with approximately 8% of tax revenue directed toward healthcare funding. For expats in employment, this contribution is built into standard payroll deductions and requires no further action. There is no facility to opt out and no separate form to complete.

Where user charges do apply — principally for prescriptions, dental treatment, and certain physiotherapy services — out-of-pocket costs will vary by individual circumstances. The prescription reimbursement thresholds set out in the public coverage section above (as of 2024) offer a practical guide to likely prescription expenditure. Always check for the latest figures with the Danish Medicines Agency or via borger.dk, as these are reviewed from time to time.

Expats who wish to supplement the public system with voluntary private insurance will find plans ranging from DKK 1,000 to DKK 5,000 per year (approximately €135–€670), with premiums reflecting the level of cover and the age of the policyholder (as of 2024). International private medical insurance (IPMI) plans from global insurers tend to carry higher price tags, particularly when they incorporate worldwide portability and medical repatriation provisions.

What are the gaps or limitations in public health coverage in Denmark?

Denmark’s public healthcare system enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest in the world, yet it has genuine limitations that expats should be clear about before depending on it as their sole source of coverage.

Dental care: Dental treatment falls outside the scope of public healthcare and must generally be paid for directly by the patient. Public health insurance does contribute to part of the cost of routine dental work, but the level of subsidy depends on the patient’s age and the nature of the procedure. Adults receive considerably less support than children and young people below the age of 18, who benefit from free dental care. This shortfall is one of the most frequently cited reasons why expats look into supplementary insurance.

Vision care: As with dental treatment, optical consultations and related expenses are not met by the national health insurance scheme for most adults, making private or employer-sponsored health cover worth considering for those with ongoing vision needs.

Waiting times: Roughly 2% of the population reported unmet healthcare needs in 2022 due to costs, distance, or waiting times, with waiting times being the primary driver. While overall satisfaction with the system is high, delays in obtaining specialist appointments or having elective procedures carried out can prove frustrating, particularly for those accustomed to quicker access.

Prescription medicines: In 2021, 42% of pharmaceutical spending in Denmark was met from public funds, compared with an EU average of 59%. Experimental therapies and certain newly approved medicines are not routinely covered, which can leave patients facing substantial out-of-pocket expenditure for high-cost treatments.

Reproductive health restrictions: Public facilities do not offer fertility treatment to women aged over 40, and coverage in most regions is capped at three cycles of IVF.

Mental health access: Although psychiatric and psychological care is available through the public system, waiting times for non-urgent referrals can be lengthy, leading some expats to pursue private mental health support instead.

Language: English proficiency is high in Denmark, and many clinicians — particularly in hospitals and private practices in urban centres — are comfortable consulting in English. However, language access can vary between regions and individual providers, so it is worth confirming the situation before attending an appointment if you require care in a language other than Danish.

Repatriation: The Danish public healthcare system makes no provision for transporting patients back to their home country in the event of serious illness. This represents a meaningful gap for expats and is a strong argument in favour of holding IPMI cover.

What are the advantages of international private health insurance for expats in Denmark?

Private healthcare plays a relatively modest role in Denmark alongside the dominant public system; voluntary complementary and supplementary insurance is nonetheless fairly common, with many people taking out policies to cover user charges or to gain faster access to private care. Some employers include private health plans in their benefits packages, but the vast majority of services remain funded from the public purse.

For expats, international private medical insurance (IPMI) delivers several tangible benefits beyond what the public system offers:

• Quicker access to specialists and elective treatment. Private insurance opens the door to faster appointments at private hospitals, direct access to specialists of your choosing, and more tailored treatment pathways — all valuable for those who would rather not wait in the public system queue for non-urgent procedures.
• Dental and vision cover. Private policies can fill the gaps left by the public system, extending to dental treatment, optical care, physiotherapy, and sometimes elective or complementary therapies such as chiropractic treatment and acupuncture.
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation. Standard IPMI plans include provisions for medical evacuation to a suitable treatment facility and repatriation to your home country — a gap that the Danish public system leaves entirely unfilled.
• Global portability. If your work or lifestyle involves regular travel abroad, an IPMI policy typically covers you across multiple countries, in contrast to Danish public insurance, which only extends to temporary stays within EU/EEA countries via the associated health card.
• Enhanced hospital facilities and amenities. Private insurance can secure shorter waits for admission, private rooms, unrestricted visiting hours, and better overall facilities during a hospital stay.
• Access to second medical opinions. Many IPMI plans give policyholders the right to seek a second opinion following a diagnosis — a particularly useful feature when navigating an unfamiliar healthcare system in a new country.

Employers operating in Denmark frequently offer private health insurance as part of their overall remuneration package. If you are moving for work, establish what cover your employer provides before going to the expense of sourcing a plan independently.

What should expats look for when choosing a health insurance plan for Denmark?

Identifying the right health insurance plan as an expat in Denmark will depend on your residency status, how you live, your family circumstances, and which gaps in the public system you want to address. The following are the most important factors to weigh up:

• Inpatient vs. outpatient cover. Inpatient cover, which addresses hospitalisation, forms the core of any plan and is typically adequate if you are already enrolled in the public system. Outpatient cover — encompassing specialist consultations, diagnostic investigations, and GP visits outside the public network — is worth adding if you want greater choice or faster turnaround.
• Dental and vision cover. Given that the Danish public system explicitly excludes these services for most adults, look for a plan that offers meaningful dental and optical benefits, or consider joining a supplementary scheme such as Sygeforsikring “danmark”, a popular not-for-profit insurance association. Major Danish supplementary health insurance providers in this space include Danmark Sygeforsikring and Tryg.
• Pre-existing condition clauses. Many private insurers exclude pre-existing conditions outright, at least at the outset, or impose waiting periods before such conditions are covered. Scrutinise the policy terms carefully, especially if you have an ongoing health issue.
• Direct billing arrangements. Plans offering direct billing — where the insurer settles the bill with the hospital or clinic on your behalf rather than asking you to pay upfront and reclaim costs — are far more convenient in practice and worth prioritising.
• Repatriation and evacuation cover. As discussed earlier, the Danish public system provides no repatriation cover. Make certain that any policy you select addresses this explicitly.
• Global portability. If frequent international travel or a potential future relocation is on the cards, opt for an IPMI plan rather than a locally issued Danish policy, as IPMI coverage moves with you across borders.
• Schengen visa compliance. If your application requires a Schengen visa, verify that your chosen policy explicitly meets the minimum €30,000 coverage requirement and spans the full duration of your stay (as of 2024 — check current requirements with the Danish Embassy or consulate).
• Adequacy of employer-provided cover. If enrolling in the public system via CPR registration is not an option due to a short intended stay or other constraints, arrange health cover privately or through your employer. Always examine employer-provided policies in detail to understand precisely what is and is not included before relying on them.

Take the time to compare plans from reputable international insurers and consider using brokers who specialise in expatriate healthcare to help identify the most appropriate option for your situation. Always read the full policy wording rather than relying solely on the marketing summary before committing to a purchase.

Are there any other health-related costs expats should be aware of in Denmark?

Dental costs: Standard adult dental treatment comes with direct costs that patients must meet themselves. Legislation passed in Denmark in 2022 extended free dental care to children and young adults up to the age of 22, with the provision applying to everyone born in 2004 or later. For adults outside this age bracket, the Danish health system does contribute a partial subsidy, but patients typically bear around 60% of the total bill themselves. Enrolling in a supplementary scheme such as Sygeforsikring “danmark” can help to offset this. The Group 5 membership tier — which covers subsidies for medicines, vaccinations, dental visits, glasses, and contact lenses — was priced at 407 kroner per quarter or 1,628 kroner per year as of 2024 (plus applicable tax). Visit sygeforsikring.dk for current membership rates and a full breakdown of benefits.

Physiotherapy and complementary therapies: Physiotherapy is not automatically covered for all conditions under the public system. Treatments such as chiropractic care and acupuncture may require a referral and a partial co-payment, or may need to be funded entirely out of pocket. Supplementary insurance or membership of an organisation like Sygeforsikring “danmark” can help manage these costs.

Prescription charges: As described earlier, prescriptions attract user charges under Denmark’s tiered reimbursement framework until annual spending reaches the higher subsidy brackets. It is worth retaining receipts and monitoring your annual spending closely, since the proportion reimbursed rises substantially as you cross each threshold (as of 2024 — see the public coverage section for current figures, and verify with the Danish Medicines Agency for any updates).

Emergency services: The universal emergency number in Denmark is 112, which connects callers to police, fire, or ambulance services in any situation requiring immediate help. Emergency medical care is provided free of charge to all residents and visitors in critical circumstances. However, non-residents who receive treatment that falls outside the definition of a genuine emergency will be invoiced for those costs after the fact.

Mental health services: Private mental health professionals can offer appointments with considerably shorter waiting times than those available through the public system. A private psychological consultation in Denmark typically runs to several hundred kroner per session — check with individual practitioners for current fees, as no nationally standardised rate applies.

Online health services: Denmark operates one of the most digitised healthcare systems in the world. Patients can book appointments, view test results, and correspond with healthcare providers through online channels. The national patient portal at sundhed.dk is the primary gateway and provides access to your health records, prescriptions, and appointment history once you are registered in the system — though the portal is largely in Danish.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my home country’s health insurance in Denmark?

The answer depends on where you come from and what kind of insurance you hold. EU/EEA nationals and Swiss citizens planning a stay of less than three months who are covered by a statutory health insurer in another EU country can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive medically necessary treatment during their time in Denmark, with the costs billed back to the insurer that issued the card. If you come from outside the EU/EEA, your domestic health insurance is unlikely to be honoured by Danish healthcare providers, and you should put private or international health cover in place before you travel.

Is private health insurance required for a visa to Denmark?

Anyone applying for a Schengen visa covering a visit to Denmark — or any other Schengen Area country — must obtain travel insurance as a mandatory element of the application. That insurance must provide a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage (as of 2024), covering medical emergencies and related scenarios for the entire duration of the visit. Citizens of countries whose nationals are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement for short stays are not formally obliged to hold travel insurance, though it remains highly advisable. Separate requirements govern long-stay visa and residence permit applications — consult the Danish Immigration Service for current details.

How long does it take to get registered for public health coverage in Denmark?

Processing times differ between municipalities and depend on how promptly the required documents can be supplied. Once registration with the Civil Registration System is complete and a CPR number has been issued, the yellow health card (Sundhedskort) is generally dispatched to your registered Danish address within a few weeks. Coverage through the public system is, however, restricted to emergencies alone — such as accidents, acute illness, or sudden deterioration of a chronic condition — for the first six weeks after registration; all other treatment costs during that window must be met by you or your insurer. Travel or private health insurance is strongly advisable throughout this initial period. Contact your local Borgerservice for up-to-date information on current processing times.

Can I get health insurance in Denmark with a pre-existing condition?

All residents registered in Denmark — including migrants and asylum seekers — are automatically enrolled in the tax-funded national health system, which does not discriminate on the basis of pre-existing conditions for those who qualify. If you are looking at private or supplementary insurance, however, be prepared for many insurers to apply exclusions or waiting periods before covering conditions that existed prior to taking out the policy. Read the terms and conditions carefully and disclose all relevant health information accurately to avoid complications when making a claim.

What happens if I need emergency medical treatment in Denmark before my insurance is active?

Under the Danish Health Act, all non-residents in Denmark are entitled to free emergency hospital care in the event of an accident, childbirth, acute illness, or a sudden and serious worsening of a chronic disease. All other healthcare services, however, must be funded by the patient directly or by their insurer. In practice, this means you will not be refused treatment in a genuine emergency, but care that falls outside the strict definition of acute treatment may generate a bill. Holding travel or private insurance to cover any waiting period is therefore strongly recommended.

Do expats in Denmark get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

Yes. Once you are enrolled in the Danish public health system and covered under Danish health insurance, you become entitled to apply for an EU health insurance card issued by Denmark. To obtain the blue EU health insurance card, you must apply to Udbetaling Danmark. The card demonstrates your right to access necessary medical treatment during temporary stays in other EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, or the UK — for instance if you become unwell while on holiday abroad. Applications can be made through borger.dk once you are registered.

Does Denmark’s public system cover maternity care?

Yes. The Danish public healthcare system covers maternity care in full for all registered residents, including antenatal consultations, ultrasound scans, midwifery services, and delivery in hospital. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, your GP will refer you to the appropriate local maternity services. It is worth noting, however, that public fertility treatment is unavailable to women aged over 40, and coverage in most regions extends to a maximum of three IVF cycles. If your circumstances include specific fertility or reproductive health requirements, it is advisable to investigate private options and their associated costs before making the move.

What is Sygeforsikring “danmark” and should expats join?

While Denmark’s public healthcare system covers most services at no cost, a number of treatments — including dental care and physiotherapy — do not fall within its scope. Sygeforsikring “danmark” is a not-for-profit membership organisation that provides financial subsidies for dental treatment, optical care, physiotherapy, and other services that the public system does not fully cover. Before joining, prospective members answer a set of questions to determine which of the four membership tiers — Basic, Group 5, Group 1, or Group 2 — best suits their needs. Membership is open to anyone holding a CPR number and resident in Denmark. For current membership criteria, fee schedules, and a full summary of benefits, visit sygeforsikring.dk.