Having a Baby in Denmark
Denmark’s maternity care is excellent and free — from the first pregnancy scan through birth and postnatal care. The healthcare side is smooth; it’s the paperwork that catches international parents off guard. This guide covers both.
Overview
Pregnancy and birth in Denmark are managed through the public healthcare system at no cost to residents. You’ll be assigned a midwife (jordemoder) who follows you through pregnancy, birth, and the first days after delivery. Births happen in hospitals, and the standard of care is high.
What most guides don’t tell you: there’s a significant amount of admin after the birth — registering the child’s CPR, notifying barsel, setting up Børnecheck, and choosing a name within the legal deadline. This guide covers the full timeline from positive test to first year.
Positive test → GP visit (week 6–8) → midwife assigned (week 8–12) → nuchal scan (week 11–14) → anomaly scan (week 18–21) → birth preparation course (week 30+) → birth → CPR registration (1–2 weeks) → barsel notification (within 8 weeks) → name registration (within 6 months).
Pregnancy care (graviditetsomsorg)
When you find out you’re pregnant:
- Contact your GP (egen læge) within the first 6–8 weeks. They’ll confirm the pregnancy and refer you to midwife care.
- Your GP sends a vandrejournal (a shared pregnancy record) to the hospital’s maternity department.
- A midwife is assigned through the hospital. You’ll typically meet them at week 12–16.
- All care is free — GP visits, scans, blood tests, midwife consultations, birth, and postnatal care are covered by your yellow health card.
Your midwife (jordemoder)
The midwife is your primary care provider throughout pregnancy and birth. They conduct check-ups, answer questions, prepare you for birth, and are present during delivery. You’ll have 5–7 midwife appointments during pregnancy, plus a home visit after birth.
Language: Most midwives speak English, but the primary language is Danish. If you need an interpreter, tell the hospital in advance — they can arrange professional medical interpretation free of charge.
Scans and tests
| When | What | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Week 11–14 | Nuchal scan + blood test | Checks for chromosomal conditions (Down’s syndrome etc.). Optional but recommended. |
| Week 18–21 | Anomaly scan (misdannelsesscanning) | Detailed check of baby’s organs, growth, and development. You can usually learn the sex. |
| If needed | Additional scans | Growth scans, if there are concerns. These are arranged by your midwife or doctor. |
Both scans are free and optional. Most parents choose to have them. They take place at the hospital’s maternity department.
Giving birth
Where
Births happen in hospitals — Denmark doesn’t have a widespread home birth culture, though it is possible (discuss with your midwife). Copenhagen’s main maternity hospitals are Rigshospitalet, Hvidovre Hospital, and Herlev Hospital. In Aarhus: Aarhus Universitetshospital (Skejby).
Birth plan
You can write a birth plan (fødselsønsker) discussing pain relief preferences, positions, who’ll be present, etc. Discuss it with your midwife beforehand. The hospital will respect your preferences where medically possible.
Pain relief options
- Gas and air (lattergas): Most common. Self-administered. No lasting effects.
- Epidural: Available on request. Administered by an anaesthetist. Very effective but limits mobility.
- Water birth: Available at most hospitals. Warm water for pain relief.
- Acupuncture, TENS: Some hospitals offer complementary approaches.
- No pain relief: Absolutely fine — the midwives are very supportive of natural birth.
Hospital stay
For an uncomplicated vaginal birth: typically 4–48 hours. Many first-time parents stay overnight. Caesarean section: usually 2–3 days.
The partner can stay in the room (most hospitals have partner beds). Meals are provided for the birth parent; partners usually need to bring their own food.
After discharge, a midwife or health visitor (sundhedsplejerske) will visit you at home within the first week.
Registering your baby’s CPR number
Your baby needs a CPR number for healthcare, benefits, and eventually a name. The process:
- The hospital reports the birth to the civil registration authority (CPR-kontoret) automatically.
- CPR number is issued within 1–2 weeks and sent to your registered address.
- Yellow health card arrives automatically after the CPR is issued — this registers the baby with a GP.
You must register your baby’s name through personregistrering.dk (or your local church if the child is to be baptised in the Danish church) within 6 months. If you don’t, you’ll receive reminders — and eventually a fine. Danish naming rules apply: the name must be approved from the official name list, or you must apply for permission.
Admin checklist for new parents
- Register the birth (hospital does this automatically)CPR number arrives by post in 1–2 weeks
- Notify your employer and ATP about the birth for barsel activation
- Apply for barselsdagpenge at borger.dk (within 8 weeks of birth)Late application = lost benefits for the period
- Register the baby for childcare waiting list at your municipalityThe earlier the better — waiting lists can be long
- Add the baby to your indboforsikring (home contents insurance) if applicable
- Register the baby’s name at personregistrering.dkMandatory — fine if you miss the deadline
- Apply for the baby’s passport if planning to travelAt Borgerservice with both parents present
- Ensure Børne- og Ungeydelse (child benefit) is set up — usually automatic for residents with CPR
Parental leave (barsel)
Denmark provides 52 weeks of parental leave with income replacement. See the full parental leave guide for the detailed breakdown. Key points:
- Mother: 4 weeks before due date + 14 weeks after birth (earmarked)
- Father/co-parent: 2 weeks at birth + 11 weeks earmarked
- Shared: 26 weeks that can be divided between parents
- Barselsdagpenge: Up to ~4,650 DKK/week from the state. Many employers top up to full salary (check your contract).
Use the barsel planner to model your specific leave timeline.
Financial benefits
| Benefit | Amount (2026) | How |
|---|---|---|
| Børne- og Ungeydelse (child benefit) | ~4,596 DKK/quarter (age 0–2) | Automatic for residents. Paid quarterly to NemKonto. |
| Barselsdagpenge | Max ~4,650 DKK/week | Apply at borger.dk after birth |
| Fripladstilskud (childcare subsidy) | Variable — up to 100% of childcare cost | Income-based. Apply at borger.dk. |
| Boligstøtte boost | Increases with household size | Automatic recalculation if you receive boligstøtte |
Arranging childcare
Register your child for childcare as soon as possible after birth — ideally within the first week. See the full childcare guide. Most families need a spot around 10–14 months (when barsel ends).
Notes for non-Danish parents
- Citizenship: A child born in Denmark to non-Danish parents does not automatically get Danish citizenship. Citizenship follows the parents’ nationality. The child gets a Danish CPR and residence permit based on the parents’ status.
- Dual nationality: Many countries allow dual citizenship at birth — register your child with your home country’s embassy.
- Language: All healthcare is available with interpretation services. Request an English-speaking midwife if available, or ask for an interpreter at appointments.
- Religion/circumcision: Male circumcision for non-medical reasons is legal in Denmark but controversial. It’s not offered by the public healthcare system — you’d arrange it privately.
Common problems
I don’t speak Danish — will the midwife speak English?
Most midwives speak functional English, especially in Copenhagen and larger cities. If there’s a language barrier, the hospital provides free professional interpreters for all medical appointments. Request this in advance.
I missed the barsel notification deadline
Apply as soon as you realise. Late applications mean you lose barselsdagpenge for the period between the deadline and when you apply. The later you are, the more money you lose. There’s no retroactive payment.
My partner is abroad — can they be present at the birth?
Partners need to arrange their own travel and visa if applicable. The hospital allows one support person during birth. If the partner can’t be there, you can bring a friend, family member, or doula (private birth support — cost: 5,000–15,000 DKK).
Questions and answers
Is a home birth possible?
Yes — discuss with your midwife. It’s relatively uncommon in Denmark (~2-3% of births) but fully supported by the healthcare system for low-risk pregnancies. A midwife comes to your home for the delivery.
Can I choose which hospital to give birth at?
You have the right to choose, but you’ll typically be referred to the hospital in your region. If you prefer a different hospital, discuss it with your midwife early in pregnancy.
What baby items should I buy?
Danes are practical: a car seat (if you have a car), pram/stroller, basic clothing, and a crib/co-sleeper. Second-hand baby items are hugely popular — check DBA.dk, Facebook Marketplace, and genbrugsbutikker (thrift shops). Danish parents don’t over-buy.
Sources
- Sundhed.dk — pregnancy care and hospital information.
- Borger.dk — barsel, child benefit, name registration.
- Sundhedsstyrelsen — National Board of Health, pregnancy guidelines.