The Danish health care system
Their common aim is to heal and prevent illness and promote public health in Denmark.
When are you covered
If you are a permanent resident in Denmark, you are entitled to help from the Danish health service. When you move to Denmark, you are covered by the Danish health insurance system from the day you register with the national registration office.
Most examinations and treatments are free, all you need is a health card.
If you are staying in Denmark temporarily and are not registered with the national registration office, you are entitled to free treatment by the public health service if you suddenly fall ill. However, you will only receive free treatment which enables you to travel home.
If you are covered by public health insurance in an EU country, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein, you are entitled to emergency treatment in the Danish public health care service.
GP / Family doctor
Once you are registered in the national registration office, you are entitled to choose a family doctor/GP you can contact if you fall ill.
GPs serve an important function in the Danish public health service. Your GP will also handle prescriptions, vaccinations and certain types of contraception, and will also assist with disease prevention.
Your GP/family doctor is able to handle many cases, but you will usually need a referral from your GP to be treated at the accident and emergency department (A&E) and to receive hospital and specialist treatment.
You will need to make an appointment before going to see your GP.
Citizens’ Services have a list of the doctors you can choose between.
Change of GP
You can register with a new GP whenever you want. You must be at least 15 years old to change your GP.
The change will take effect the same day you have requested it and paid the applicable fee. Contact Citizens’ Services to hear more about the GPs you can register with.
What does it cost?
You can register with a new GP free of charge if you change your address or your GP stops.
In all other instances, a fee is charged to register with another GP.
Out of hours medical services
The out-of-hours medical service is open when your own GP is closed – in the evening and at weekends.
If you fall ill or suffer an injury outside your own GP’s normal opening hours, you can call the out-of-hours medical service.
Only call the out-of-hours medical service if the problem cannot wait until your own GP is available.
The out-of-hours doctor can, among other things, prescribe medicines, refer you to an accident and emergency department or admit you to hospital.
Contact
Tel. 70 11 31 31
Opening hours
The out-of-hours medical service is open from 16.00 to 8.00 Monday-Friday and 24 hours a day at weekends and bank holidays.
The out-of-hours doctor will be able to assist you more quickly if ...
- You have your national health insurance card ready
- You have written a list of any medicines you take
- You have taken your temperature if you suspect fever
A & E department
Accident and emergency (A&E) departments treat serious injuries which your own GP is unable to treat, for example a broken finger.
Accident and emergency departments are often busy, so you might well have to wait.
Referral
Always call the emergency nurse service before going to the accident and emergency department (A&E). They will decide whether you need to be treated in the accident and emergency department (A&E), by the out-of-hours medical service or whether you can be told how to treat the injury yourself.
Contact A&E department
Tel. +45 87 31 50 50
Hospitals
Hospitals perform patient examinations and operations, and most women give birth in hospital.
If you need to be examined or treated at a hospital, you first need a referral from your own GP, a specialist doctor or from the out-of-hours medical service.
You will receive an appointment from the hospital, which will send information on where and when you need to go.
Health Visitors and School Nurses
Are you pregnant, do you have an infant, or a child in school? The Danish Health Care system offers help and support focusing on your family’s health and wellbeing.