Private health insurance in Denmark — is it worth it?
Denmark has an excellent public healthcare system that covers most medical needs at no cost. So why do over 2 million Danes have private health insurance? The answer is speed and choice: private insurance skips public waiting lists, gives you access to private hospitals and specialists, and often includes physiotherapy, psychology, and dental coverage that the public system does not fully provide.
Do you actually need private health insurance?
For most expats, the answer is: probably not, but it is nice to have. The Danish public system covers GP visits, hospital care, specialist referrals, prescriptions (with subsidies), maternity care, and emergency treatment — all for free once you have a yellow health card. Private insurance fills the gaps: shorter waiting times for non-urgent specialist appointments, physiotherapy without GP referral, psychology sessions, and dental subsidies.
If your employer offers it as a benefit (many do), always take it — it is essentially free coverage. If you are buying it yourself, it depends on your health needs and budget.
What private health insurance typically covers
- Skip the waiting list: Direct access to private hospital consultations and surgery. Public waiting times for non-urgent procedures (knee replacement, hernia repair, etc.) can be 4–12 weeks; private is typically 1–3 weeks.
- Physiotherapy: Typically 8–15 sessions per year without GP referral. The public system subsidises physiotherapy but requires a referral and has co-pay.
- Psychology: 8–12 sessions per year. Extremely valuable given the limited public mental health provision.
- Chiropractic and osteopathy: Not well covered by the public system.
- Dental: Some policies include partial dental coverage (adult dental care is not covered publicly).
- Second opinion: Consultation with a specialist for a second medical opinion.
What it does NOT cover
- Pre-existing conditions (typically excluded for the first 1–2 years)
- Cosmetic surgery
- Fertility treatment (public system covers some IVF)
- Emergency care (already free through the public system)
- GP visits (already free)
- Pregnancy and birth (already excellently covered publicly)
Top providers compared
| Provider | Monthly cost | Key features | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mølholm Forsikring | DKK 150–350 | Fast-track hospital, physio, psychology. Clean interface. | Individuals, comprehensive cover |
| Tryg Sundhedsforsikring | DKK 200–400 | Large network, strong hospital partnerships. Dental add-on available. | Families, dental needs |
| Codan | DKK 180–350 | Flexible plans, good employer schemes. English support. | Employer groups |
| PFA Sundhed | DKK 100–250 | Often bundled with pension. Basic but reliable. | If already with PFA for pension |
| Gjensidige | DKK 150–300 | Strong physiotherapy and psychology coverage. | Active people, mental health |
Employer-provided health insurance (sundhedsforsikring)
Approximately 40% of Danish employees have employer-provided private health insurance. It is a standard employee benefit at larger companies and many international firms. The employer pays the premium, and it counts as a taxable benefit on your payslip (typically DKK 100–200/month in additional tax).
Ask your HR department whether your employment package includes sundhedsforsikring. Many expats discover this benefit months or years into their employment. If it is available, it typically includes psychology, physiotherapy, and fast-track specialist referrals — the exact services that are hardest to access through the public system.
Sygeforsikringen “danmark” — the supplementary option
Sygeforsikringen “danmark” is a non-profit health insurance association that over 2 million Danes are members of. It is not full private health insurance — it is a supplementary scheme that reimburses a portion of costs for services the public system does not fully cover: dental, glasses, physiotherapy, and certain medications.
Membership costs approximately DKK 100–200/month depending on the plan (Group 1 or Group 5). It is worth considering if you regularly use dental or physiotherapy services. Note that “danmark” has a 12-month qualification period for new members before benefits become active.
The verdict — who should buy private insurance?
- Your employer offers it: Always take it. It is essentially free coverage with real value.
- You need regular physiotherapy or psychology: Private insurance pays for itself quickly if you use these services regularly.
- You have a non-urgent condition with a waiting list: Private insurance can get you treated weeks faster.
- You are young and healthy: The public system is probably sufficient. Consider Sygeforsikringen “danmark” instead for basic supplementary coverage.
- You need dental coverage: Adult dental in Denmark is expensive (DKK 1,000+ for a filling). Sygeforsikringen “danmark” or a private policy with dental helps.