Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent non-emergency: call **1813** (Copenhagen/Region Hovedstaden) — MANDATORY before attending ER. Other regions have equivalent numbers. Going directly to ER without calling may result in being turned away or long waits. 1813 operators speak Danish and English. They triage and may: advise self-care, book acute GP, direct to lægevagt (out-of-hours clinic), or refer to akutmodtagelse (ER). Major hospitals: Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen — Scandinavia's top specialist hospital), Aarhus Universitetshospital, Odense Universitetshospital, Aalborg Universitetshospital. All regions have 24/7 akutmodtagelser.
Response time: 6-10 minutes urban (among Europe's fastest). 10-25 minutes rural. Helicopter emergency service (HEMS/Akutlægehelikopter) covers all of Denmark — 3 helicopter bases. Denmark is small and flat — no location is more than ~100km from a hospital.
Cost: Emergency treatment is FREE for everyone — including tourists, regardless of insurance status. This includes ambulance, ER treatment, and emergency admission. Follow-up outpatient care may require EHIC or insurance.
Healthcare System
Denmark has one of Europe's most efficient universal healthcare systems, funded entirely by taxation — there are NO health insurance premiums or copayments for residents (one of very few countries globally with truly free healthcare at point of use). All residents are assigned a **praktiserende læge** (GP) and all primary/secondary care is free. The system's most distinctive feature for visitors is the **1813 medical helpline** (Region Hovedstaden) and equivalent regional numbers — calling before attending ER is mandatory in most regions. This acts as a triage gateway: trained nurses assess symptoms and either advise self-care, book a GP appointment, direct to **lægevagt** (out-of-hours GP), or send you to the nearest **akutmodtagelse** (ER/A&E). Emergency care is FREE for everyone including tourists — no questions asked. Denmark has excellent hospital infrastructure: Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen) is Scandinavia's leading specialist hospital, and all regions have modern hospitals. The private sector is small but growing — Privathospitalet Danmark, Hamlet, and Capio handle elective procedures. Denmark pioneered **sundhed.dk** (health portal) and **Min Læge** app for digital health management. Dental care is NOT covered by the public system for adults — a notable gap. Greenland and Faroe Islands have separate healthcare systems with more limited capacity.
Designed for: Danish residents with CPR number (Det Centrale Personregister). EU/EEA visitors via EHIC for necessary care. Non-EU visitors need insurance.
GP Access & Costs
EU/EHIC visitors: contact any GP (praktiserende læge) — free treatment. Non-EU visitors: can contact GPs but pay out-of-pocket (DKK 500-1,000). After-hours: call 1813 or regional equivalent for **lægevagt** (out-of-hours GP service). Walk-in clinics (akutklinikker) in some cities. Private clinics available but the private sector is small in Denmark.
Typical wait: Same-day to next-day for urgent appointments (Danish GPs legally required to offer same-day acute consultations). Routine: 1-3 days. Lægevagt (after-hours): same-evening. Specialist (public, with referral): 1-4 weeks (faster than most Nordic countries — "udredningsret" guarantees investigation within 30 days).
Availability: Excellent throughout the country. Denmark is small and densely served — GP practices in virtually every town. Copenhagen has highest density. Rural Jutland and islands adequately served. All GPs accept acute same-day appointments. Digital: Min Læge app allows online booking, prescription renewal, and messaging for registered patients. E-konsultation (e-consultations) available for minor issues. Telehealth well-integrated — boosted post-COVID.
GP Visit
Free with EHIC or CPR number (residents pay NOTHING — no copayments)
Private GP
DKK 800-1,500 ($110-210) at private clinics. With EHIC/CPR: FREE (no copayments whatsoever). Specialist (private): DKK 1,000-3,000 ($140-420). Dental (private — NOT covered by public system for adults): DKK 600-2,000+ ($85-280+) per visit.
ER Without Insurance
Emergency care is FREE for everyone — Denmark does not charge for emergency treatment regardless of nationality or insurance status. Follow-up: EHIC holders free; uninsured visitors charged for non-emergency follow-up. Hospital stay (uninsured): DKK 5,000-15,000+/day ($700-2,100+).
Medication
Denmark uses a progressive medication subsidy system (tilskud) for residents: the more you spend annually, the higher the reimbursement percentage (50-85%). Annual spending above DKK 4,735 is 85% subsidised. Visitors pay full unsubsidised price — Danish medications are moderately expensive. Prescriptions dispensed at pharmacies (apotek). Paracetamol available at pharmacies, kiosks, and supermarkets (small packs).
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm typical. Extended hours in cities — Steno Apotek (Copenhagen, Vesterbrogade) is open 24/7 (Denmark's famous all-night pharmacy). Apotek chains: Apoteket, Matas (health/beauty products, some OTC). Most pharmacies close Sundays except Steno and rotating duty pharmacies. Online pharmacy ordering available via apoteket.dk for residents.
OTC: Moderately restrictive. Paracetamol and ibuprofen available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and kiosks in small packs. Most medications beyond basic painkillers require prescription (recept). Antihistamines (some types), nasal sprays, antacids, and cough medicines available OTC at pharmacies. Pharmacists are well-trained and legally allowed to advise on minor ailments — they may suggest OTC alternatives before you see a GP.
Controlled substances: Schengen attestation required for EU travellers with controlled medications. Non-EU: doctor's letter in English with medication details. Danish drug policies are moderate by Nordic standards (less strict than Sweden/Norway). Cannabis is illegal (Christiania "tolerated" but technically illegal). Codeine requires prescription. Maximum personal supply for travel.
Practical Tips
- Save 1813 in your phone — it's your gateway to all non-emergency healthcare in Copenhagen (other regions have equivalent numbers)
- EHIC gives EU visitors completely free GP, hospital, and specialist access — the most generous EHIC coverage in Scandinavia
- Danish healthcare workers speak excellent English — language is never an issue
- Min Læge app is essential for residents — appointment booking, prescriptions, and secure messaging with your GP
- Steno Apotek in Copenhagen (Vesterbrogade 6C) is open 24/7 — the go-to for night-time medication needs
- Dental care is expensive and private — consider travel insurance that includes dental or visit before your trip
- For Greenland/Faroe Islands travel: ensure comprehensive insurance with medical evacuation — facilities are limited
- Sundhed.dk is the official health portal with English resources on the Danish healthcare system
Who can get care in Denmark?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Denmark treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
EU/EHIC visitors: contact any GP (praktiserende læge) — free treatment. Non-EU visitors: can contact GPs but pay out-of-pocket (DKK 500-1,000). After-hours: call 1813 or regional equivalent for **lægevagt** (out-of-hours GP service). Walk-in clinics (akutklinikker) in some cities. Private clinics available but the private sector is small in Denmark. Typical cost: Free with EHIC or CPR number (residents pay NOTHING — no copayments). Uninsured non-EU visitors: DKK 500-1,000 ($70-140) per GP visit. Private GP: DKK 800-1,500 ($110-210). Specialist (private): DKK 1,000-3,000 ($140-420). Typical wait: Same-day to next-day for urgent appointments (Danish GPs legally required to offer same-day acute consultations). Routine: 1-3 days. Lægevagt (after-hours): same-evening. Specialist (public, with referral): 1-4 weeks (faster than most Nordic countries — "udredningsret" guarantees investigation within 30 days).
Insurance needed for entry or visa
Proof of medical insurance is required for entry or for a visa to Denmark.
Documents worth having ready
- EHIC/GHIC card (EU/EEA visitors — gives free access to GPs and hospitals)
- Comprehensive travel insurance (essential for non-EU visitors)
- Passport and visa
- CPR number (for stays over 3 months — key to full system access)
- Schengen attestation for controlled medications
- Doctor's letter for all medications (English widely understood)
Local contacts in Denmark
Emergency services
112 (emergency) / 1813 (medical helpline — Region Hovedstaden/Copenhagen) / 70 11 31 31 (medical helpline — other regions vary)
Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent non-emergency: call **1813** (Copenhagen/Region Hovedstaden) — MANDATORY before attending ER. Other regions have equivalent numbers. Going directly to ER without calling may result in being turned away or long waits. 1813 operators speak Danish and English. They triage and may: advise self-care, book acute GP, direct to lægevagt (out-of-hours clinic), or refer to akutmodtagelse (ER). Major hospitals: Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen — Scandinavia's top specialist hospital), Aarhus Universitetshospital, Odense Universitetshospital, Aalborg Universitetshospital. All regions have 24/7 akutmodtagelser.
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm typical. Extended hours in cities — Steno Apotek (Copenhagen, Vesterbrogade) is open 24/7 (Denmark's famous all-night pharmacy). Apotek chains: Apoteket, Matas (health/beauty products, some OTC). Most pharmacies close Sundays except Steno and rotating duty pharmacies. Online pharmacy ordering available via apoteket.dk for residents.
Moderately restrictive. Paracetamol and ibuprofen available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and kiosks in small packs. Most medications beyond basic painkillers require prescription (recept). Antihistamines (some types), nasal sprays, antacids, and cough medicines available OTC at pharmacies. Pharmacists are well-trained and legally allowed to advise on minor ailments — they may suggest OTC alternatives before you see a GP.
What is the emergency number in Denmark?
112 (emergency) or 1813 (medical helpline — Region Hovedstaden/Copenhagen) or 70 11 31 31 (medical helpline — other regions vary) in Denmark. Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. For urgent non-emergency: call **1813** (Copenhagen/Region Hovedstaden) — MANDATORY before attending ER. Other regions have equivalent numbers. Going directly to ER without calling may result in being turned away or long waits. 1813 operators speak Danish and English. They triage and may: advise self-care, book acute GP, direct to lægevagt (out-of-hours clinic), or refer to akutmodtagelse (ER). Major hospitals: Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen — Scandinavia's top specialist hospital), Aarhus Universitetshospital, Odense Universitetshospital, Aalborg Universitetshospital. All regions have 24/7 akutmodtagelser.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Denmark?
Free with EHIC or CPR number (residents pay NOTHING — no copayments). Uninsured non-EU visitors: DKK 500-1,000 ($70-140) per GP visit. Private GP: DKK 800-1,500 ($110-210). Specialist (private): DKK 1,000-3,000 ($140-420). Private consultations: DKK 800-1,500 ($110-210) at private clinics. With EHIC/CPR: FREE (no copayments whatsoever). Specialist (private): DKK 1,000-3,000 ($140-420). Dental (private — NOT covered by public system for adults): DKK 600-2,000+ ($85-280+) per visit..
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Sources: Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen), Sundhed.dk, Region Hovedstaden (1813), SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment), CDC Travelers Health Denmark 2025, Statens Serum Institut (SSI)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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