Emergency Numbers in Denmark

Updated By exploringdenmark

Save these numbers in your phone. In Denmark, 112 is for life-threatening emergencies, and 1813 is for urgent medical issues that are not immediately life-threatening. Getting the right number means getting the right help faster.

112 Emergency Police · Fire · Ambulance Free · English available 1813 Medical helpline (CPH) 114 Police (non-urgent) 116 123 Crisis line (24/7) 112 CALL

112 — Emergency (livstruende)

Call 112 for:

  • Life-threatening situations (heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding, unconsciousness)
  • Serious accidents (car crashes, drowning, falls from height)
  • Fire
  • Violent crime in progress

The 112 operator dispatches ambulance, fire, and/or police as needed. English is available — the operators are trained in multilingual response. The call is free from any phone, including phones without a SIM card.

When in doubt, call 112

If you are unsure whether a situation is life-threatening, call 112 anyway. The operator will assess and redirect you if 1813 is more appropriate. It is always better to call unnecessarily than to delay calling in a real emergency.

1813 — Medical helpline (Capital Region)

Call 1813 for urgent medical issues outside your GP’s hours that are not immediately life-threatening:

  • High fever that will not go down
  • Suspected broken bones
  • Cuts that may need stitches
  • Sudden illness that cannot wait until morning
  • Children who are unwell at night

1813 is the number for the Capital Region (Region Hovedstaden). Other regions have their own numbers — but 1813 is the most commonly used since it covers Copenhagen.

How it works: A nurse or doctor triages your call and either gives medical advice, books you into the on-call doctor clinic (lægevagt), or directs you to the emergency department. Do not go to the ER without calling 1813 first for non-life-threatening issues — you will be redirected.

Police

  • 112: Crime in progress, violent emergencies, accidents
  • 114: Non-urgent police matters — reporting a theft, noise complaint, lost property, general enquiries
  • politi.dk: Online reporting for non-urgent crimes (bike theft, vandalism, etc.)

Other important numbers

  • 82 12 12 12 — Poison Control (Giftlinjen). Call if someone has ingested something toxic.
  • 70 25 65 65 — Emergency dental (tandlægevagt) in Copenhagen. Hours and locations vary — call first.
  • 116 123 — Crisis/suicide helpline (Livslinien). Anonymous, 24/7. Danish and English.
  • 1812 — Police emergency text number for hearing-impaired.
  • +45 33 43 00 00 — Rigshospitalet (Copenhagen’s main hospital) switchboard.

What to do in an emergency

  1. Stay calm. Take a breath before calling.
  2. Call 112 (or 1813 for medical).
  3. State your location clearly. Address, landmarks, floor number. The operator will ask.
  4. Describe what happened. What is wrong, how many people are affected, are they conscious/breathing.
  5. Follow instructions. The operator may guide you through first aid (CPR, positioning) while help is on the way.
  6. Do not hang up until the operator tells you to.

Major hospitals

  • Rigshospitalet — Copenhagen. Denmark’s largest hospital and trauma centre.
  • Herlev Hospital — Greater Copenhagen.
  • Bispebjerg Hospital — Copenhagen Nørrebro area.
  • Aarhus University Hospital (AUH) — Aarhus.
  • Odense University Hospital (OUH) — Odense.

You do not choose which hospital to go to in an emergency — the ambulance takes you to the nearest appropriate facility.

Questions and answers

Do I need my yellow health card for emergency treatment?

No. Hospitals treat everyone in an emergency regardless of insurance status. Your CPR number helps them access your records, but treatment is not delayed without it.

Is 1813 available in English?

Yes. English-speaking operators are available. If the first operator only speaks Danish, they will transfer you.

What if I am a tourist without a CPR?

Call 112 or 1813 the same way. Emergency treatment is provided regardless of residency. EU citizens should have their EHIC card. Non-EU visitors may receive a bill for non-emergency care.

Is there an app for emergencies?

The 112 app (available on iOS/Android) sends your GPS location to the emergency operator when you call. Download it.

Sources

  1. Region Hovedstaden — 1813 medical helpline.
  2. Politi.dk — police services.