Danish Healthcare (2025) | exploringdenmark
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Danish Healthcare (2025)

Your quick guide to Denmark’s public healthcare: CPR & yellow card, choosing a GP, what’s covered, private insurance, emergencies, and digital tools.

Bring your yellow health card (sundhedskort) to every appointment. It links your CPR to records, prescriptions, and billing.

Overview: how healthcare works

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Tax-funded & universal

Most care is free at the point of use once you’re registered.

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Your GP is the gateway

GPs handle checkups, prescriptions, and specialist referrals.

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Extras vary

Adults pay most dental; some medicines have co-pays.

The Danish system in brief

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Hospitals & specialists

Free with a GP referral; emergencies are always accepted.

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Pregnancy & birth

Prenatal care and delivery in public hospitals are covered.

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Dental care

Free for <18s; adults pay—consider private cover.

Registration & healthcare rights

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1) Register address & get CPR. This unlocks access to public healthcare.
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2) Yellow card arrives by post. Carry it to appointments and the pharmacy.
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3) Choose a GP (læge). Pick a clinic near home; you can change later.

Insurance: public vs private

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Public cover

GPs, hospitals, midwives, child dental; co-pays for some medicines.

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Private add-ons

Helps with dental/physio, faster access, private hospitals.

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Travel/expat

Consider international cover for trips and relocations.

How to see a doctor

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Contact your GP. Call or book online; many clinics use secure portals.
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Use sundhed.dk. Book, renew prescriptions, and view results with MitID.
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Pharmacies. Show your yellow card; co-pays depend on the medicine.

Emergency & urgent care

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112 — life-threatening

Ambulance, fire, police. Free for all.

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ER / Acute care

Go to the nearest hospital. Bring your card if possible.

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1813 / regional helplines

Capital Region: 1813. Elsewhere: your region’s acute number for urgent advice.

Tips for internationals

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Language

Most staff speak English; forms may be Danish—ask for help.

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Keep documents

Have CPR, yellow card, and medicines list handy.

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Kids & vaccines

Routine checks and vaccinations are free—ask your GP.

Useful resources & official links

Frequently Asked Questions

💳 How do I get my health card?

Register your address; the yellow card arrives by post in ~1–2 weeks.

🏥 Are hospitals free?

Yes for residents—emergencies, surgeries, childbirth included.

🦷 Is dental included?

Children are free; adults usually pay—check private cover.

🛡️ Do I need private insurance?

Optional, useful for dental/physio and faster access.

🌐 Is English accepted?

Common in clinics and hospitals, especially in cities.

🚑 What about emergencies?

Call 112, visit ER, or phone 1813 (Capital Region) for urgent advice.