Healthcare in Denmark

Healthcare in Denmark is among the best in the world, with numerous top-notch medical facilities to choose from throughout the country. 

Denmark operates under a universal healthcare scheme. Most people use public healthcare facilities because they are of such a high standard, but private hospitals can be useful for skipping the waiting list.

Most of the Danish population speaks English, so you should have no problem finding an English-speaking doctor.

Public healthcare in Denmark

Each municipality across Denmark is responsible for administrating primary healthcare and social services. Public healthcare covers a wide range of services, including all primary, specialist, hospital, and preventative care.

As a public healthcare user, you'll need to select a general practitioner to oversee all your non-emergency medical needs. If you wish to see a specialist, a GP referral is required. 

Denmark has plenty of excellent public healthcare facilities. To access healthcare at these facilities, simply produce your public health insurance card (also known as a yellow card).

Useful links

• Visit the Danish Ministry of Interior Health to learn more about public healthcare in the country. 

Private healthcare in Denmark

Thanks to the high standard of public healthcare, Denmark only has a few private healthcare facilities. That said, their popularity has increased recently, and the number is growing. This growth is mainly down to an increasing number of employers offering their employees private health insurance, enabling the use of private healthcare facilities to bypass the waiting periods often associated with public healthcare systems. 

Health insurance in Denmark

Anyone working in Denmark is entitled to apply for a public health insurance card, known as a yellow card. To do so, you will need a CPR number, which you can obtain by registering at the local International Citizen Service (ICS) centre. The CPR number and yellow card can be applied for concurrently.

EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare during a short-term visit. UK citizens have access to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.

Pharmacies and medicines in Denmark

Throughout Denmark, pharmacies (apotek) are easy to find, including 24-hour branches. Denmark’s regulations regarding medicines are strict, so you may find you require a prescription for a medication you could get over the counter at home. In addition, some over-the-counter medications can only be sold at pharmacies in Denmark. 

Vaccines for Denmark

Expats travelling to Denmark will usually not need any mandatory vaccines to enter the country. Routine vaccinations (including those for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, and typhus) are recommended, as are annual flu vaccinations. 

Emergency medical services in Denmark

The emergency number in Denmark is 112. This service has operators who speak English, so expats who are non-Danish speakers can easily call an ambulance. Denmark's emergency services are quick and efficient.