Healthcare

Overview

Universal Healthcare in Denmark

Denmark provides tax-funded universal healthcare to all CPR-registered residents. Your GP (praktiserende laege) is the gatekeeper to the entire system — you cannot see a specialist or get a hospital referral without going through them first. Dental and optical care are not covered for adults.

Cost of GP visit

Free (tax-funded)

Cost of hospital treatment

Free (including surgery)

Adult dental coverage

Not covered (DKK 2,000–5,000/year typical)

Optical coverage

Not covered for adults

Healthcare card

Yellow Sundhedskort with CPR + GP name

Register

Getting Your GP & Health Card

After CPR registration, you are automatically assigned a GP near your address. Your yellow Sundhedskort (health card) arrives by post in 2–3 weeks. You can change your GP for free once — after that it costs DKK 235 each time, unless you move to a new municipality.

Health card delivery time

2–3 weeks after CPR registration

Free GP changes allowed

1 free, then DKK 235 each

Find/change your GP at

sundhed.dk/borger

Digital health card app

Sundhedskort app (replaces physical card)

GP phone consultation hours

8:00–9:00 weekdays (most clinics)

1. Register for your CPR number at Borgerservice or International House
2. Wait 2–3 weeks for the yellow Sundhedskort to arrive by post
3. Download the Sundhedskort app and activate with MitID
4. Book your first GP appointment by calling during phone hours (8:00–9:00)
5. If dissatisfied, change GP for free once at sundhed.dk/borger

Prescriptions

Prescriptions & Pharmacy

Denmark uses a digital prescription system — your GP sends prescriptions electronically to any pharmacy (apotek). The government reimburses part of your medication costs once your annual spending exceeds DKK 1,095. Reimbursement increases in tiers up to 85% for high spenders.

Prescription sent to

Any apotek digitally (Felles Medicinkort)

Annual reimbursement threshold

DKK 1,095 (0% below this)

Reimbursement tier 2

50% for DKK 1,095–1,825

Reimbursement tier 3

75% for DKK 1,825–3,300

Maximum reimbursement

85% above DKK 3,300/year

1. Visit your GP and receive a digital prescription
2. Go to any apotek (pharmacy) with your Sundhedskort or CPR number
3. Pay the full price until your annual total reaches DKK 1,095
4. Track your reimbursement tier on sundhed.dk under Medicinprofil
5. Apply for Kronikertilskud if you have a chronic condition needing constant medication

Emergencies

Emergencies & After-Hours

For life-threatening emergencies, call 112. For urgent but non-life-threatening issues outside GP hours, call 1813 (Region Hovedstaden) or your region's medical helpline. They triage by phone and either give advice, book an acute clinic visit, or send an ambulance.

Emergency number

112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Medical helpline (Capital Region)

1813 (24/7)

Acute care clinic (skadestue)

Free with referral from 1813

GP after-hours service

Weekdays 16:00–8:00, weekends 24h

Emergency dentist (Copenhagen)

Tandlaegevagten, Oslo Plads 14

1. Assess severity: life-threatening → call 112 immediately
2. Urgent but stable → call 1813 (Capital Region) or your region's helpline
3. Follow the phone nurse's triage decision (home care, acute clinic, or ambulance)
4. Bring your Sundhedskort or CPR number to any acute care visit
5. For dental emergencies, call Tandlaegevagten at +45 35 38 02 51