Healthcare & Family
Mental health support, what is covered, what is not
The one-line versionPsychiatry is covered with a GP referral. Psychology is only partly subsidised, and only for specific conditions - you pay a co-payment, and full cost without a referral. Start with your GP.
Start with your GP
As with everything, your GP is the entry point for mental-health support - they assess, treat where they can, and refer onward. What happens next depends on whether you need psychiatry or psychology, because the two are funded very differently.
Psychiatry vs psychology
| Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Psychiatry (psychiatrists, psychiatric hospitals) | Covered by the public system with a GP referral |
| Psychology (psychologists, therapists) | Partly subsidised only for specific conditions (e.g. moderate-severe depression, anxiety, PTSD) with a GP referral - you pay a co-payment |
What psychology costsWith a referral for a qualifying condition, you typically get a set number of subsidised sessions but still pay a co-payment - often around DKK 300-720 per session depending on the subsidy. Without a referral, you pay the full private rate, commonly DKK 800-1,400 per session.
Routes to help
- GP first - for assessment, referral and, for many issues, direct help.
- Referral for psychology - if you have a qualifying condition, ask about the subsidised sessions.
- Students - many universities offer free counselling, often faster than the public route.
- Supplementary insurance - some private and union plans cover therapy.
Don't wait for a crisis to askIf you are struggling, book a GP appointment and say so plainly - it is a normal reason to see them, and they can start the referral or treatment. This is a sensitive area; if you are in distress, your GP or the out-of-hours line can help you find the right support quickly.
Common questions
Is therapy free?
Psychiatry is covered with a GP referral. Psychology is only partly subsidised, for specific conditions, with a co-payment - and full price without a referral.
How do I access it?
Start with your GP. They assess, treat, and refer to psychiatry or subsidised psychology as appropriate.
Are there faster options?
Students often have free university counselling; some private and union insurance covers therapy. Otherwise the GP route is the main path.
This is a sensitive topic. If you are struggling with your mental health, please speak to your GP or, out of hours, call your regional medical helpline (1813 in the Capital Region). In an emergency, call 112.
Verified July 2026 against official sources: lifeindenmark.borger.dk, sundhed.dk, the Danish Health Authority (sst.dk), Statens Serum Institut and municipal pages. Figures are 2026 levels and vary by region and municipality. General information, not medical advice.