Denmark has a universal public healthcare system funded through taxation. Once you are registered and have your health card, most medical services are free at the point of use. However, there are significant gaps — particularly dental care, physiotherapy, and mental health — that can catch expats off guard. This guide explains what is covered, what is not, and how to protect yourself.
How Public Healthcare Is Funded
Danish healthcare is funded through taxes. When you work in Denmark, you pay:
- 8% AM-bidrag (labour market contribution): A flat tax on all earned income.
- Municipal tax: Varies by municipality, typically around 25%.
- State tax: Applied above a certain income threshold.
These taxes fund the public healthcare system, meaning GP visits, hospital treatment, and emergency care are free at the point of use. There are no premiums, no copays for doctor visits, and no deductibles for hospital stays.
Sundhedskort: Your Health Card
The sundhedskort (health card) is issued automatically by your municipality after you register your address and receive your CPR number. It arrives by post within a few weeks of registration.
Key things to know:
- Carry it with you. You need it when visiting your GP, picking up prescriptions, or accessing any public health service.
- It has your CPR number. This is how the system identifies you.
- Replacement is free. If you lose it, contact your municipality for a new one.
Until your sundhedskort arrives, EU/EEA citizens can use their EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) to access healthcare in Denmark.
What Is Covered
The public system covers a wide range of services:
- GP visits: Free. Your GP is your first point of contact for non-emergency health issues. They provide referrals to specialists and hospitals.
- Hospital care: Free. This includes consultations, surgery, and inpatient stays.
- Emergency treatment: Free. Emergency rooms treat all patients regardless of nationality.
- Prescribed medications: Partially subsidised. The Danish medication subsidy system (medicintilskud) covers part of the cost for many prescription drugs, especially for chronic conditions. You pay the remainder.
- Maternity care: Free. Prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care are all covered.
- Mental health treatment: Covered with a GP referral. However, wait times in the public system can be long — often several months.
What Is NOT Covered
This is where many expats get a surprise. Several common healthcare needs are not fully covered by the public system:
Dental Care
Dental treatment is one of the biggest out-of-pocket expenses for expats in Denmark. The public system provides very limited dental coverage for adults, and most people pay privately.
Typical costs:
| Treatment | Approximate Cost (DKK) |
|---|---|
| Basic filling | 800 - 1,500 |
| Crown | 5,000 - 8,000 |
| Root canal | 3,000 - 6,000 |
| Extraction | 500 - 1,500 |
| Dental check-up and cleaning | 500 - 1,000 |
Budget for dental costs or get dental insurance. Some sundhedsforsikring (health top-up) policies include dental coverage.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is subsidised but not free. You typically pay a portion of each session, and there may be an annual cap on how much the system will subsidise. Private physiotherapy sessions cost around DKK 300 to 600 each.
Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses
The public system offers a partial subsidy for prescription glasses, but it is modest. You will pay most of the cost yourself. Budget DKK 2,000 to 5,000 for a new pair of prescription glasses.
Psychology
Publicly subsidised psychological treatment is available but requires a GP referral and is subject to long wait times. Private psychology sessions cost DKK 800 to 1,200 each. Some costs may be partially covered by sundhedsforsikring.
Alternative Treatments
Chiropractors, acupuncturists, and other alternative treatments are generally not covered by the public system.
Sundhedsforsikring: Health Top-Up Insurance
Sundhedsforsikring (health top-up insurance) fills the gaps left by the public system. It typically covers:
- Dental treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Prescription glasses
- Psychology sessions
- Sometimes private hospital treatment
Employer-Provided Coverage
Many Danish employers include sundhedsforsikring as a workplace benefit. Before you buy a private policy, check your employment contract — you may already be covered.
Private Policies
If your employer does not provide coverage, you can buy sundhedsforsikring privately. Typical costs range from DKK 1,500 to 4,000 per year depending on the level of cover. Major providers include:
- Codan
- Tryg
- If
Compare policies carefully. Some have annual caps on claims, waiting periods, or exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
EHIC Card for EU/EEA Citizens
If you are an EU/EEA citizen moving to Denmark, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare while you wait for your sundhedskort to arrive. EHIC covers you for medically necessary treatment during your stay.
Non-EU citizens do not have EHIC access and should arrange private health insurance to cover the gap between arrival and registration.
Dental Care: Plan Ahead
Dental costs in Denmark are high compared to many countries. Even a basic filling can cost DKK 800 to 1,500, and more complex work like crowns or root canals runs into thousands.
Options to manage dental costs:
- Get sundhedsforsikring that includes dental cover. Many policies cover a portion of dental treatment.
- Budget monthly. Set aside DKK 200 to 500 per month for dental expenses.
- Consider treatment abroad. Some expats travel to Germany or Poland for dental work, though this carries its own risks and logistics.
- Check your home country coverage. Some expats retain dental insurance from their home country that covers treatment while abroad.
Mental Health
Mental health treatment is available through the public system, but access is slow. A GP referral is required, and wait times for publicly funded psychologists or psychiatrists can be several months.
Private psychology is faster but expensive at DKK 800 to 1,200 per session. Some sundhedsforsikring policies cover a set number of sessions per year.
If you need mental health support, speak to your GP as early as possible. They can provide a referral and advise on options while you wait.
Emergency Services
- 112: Call for life-threatening emergencies (ambulance, fire, police).
- 1813: Call for non-emergency medical advice in the Capital Region of Denmark. Other regions have similar helplines.
- Emergency rooms: Free for everyone, including visitors. However, non-critical cases may face long wait times.
Emergency rooms are not a substitute for GP visits. For non-urgent issues, always go through your GP first.
Tips for Expats
- Check if your employer includes sundhedsforsikring. This could save you DKK 1,500 to 4,000 per year.
- Register for your sundhedskort immediately. The sooner you register, the sooner your card arrives.
- Keep your EHIC until your sundhedskort arrives. EU/EEA citizens should carry EHIC as a bridge.
- Budget for dental costs. Even with insurance, you will likely pay some portion out of pocket.
- Find a GP early. Register with a local GP (praktiserende læge) as soon as you have your CPR number. You can search for GPs on sundhed.dk.
- Do not skip insurance. The public system covers the basics, but dental, physio, and mental health can be expensive without top-up cover.
- Non-EU citizens: Arrange private health insurance before you arrive. You will not have access to the public system until you are registered.