Right to healthcare services in Denmark

If you move to Denmark from another Nordic country, you must, as a rule, be registered in the Danish municipality in which you live. You will then be issued with a Danish health card, which will automatically be sent to your Danish address. The health card is proof that you are entitled to public health services in Denmark. You can also use the health card app, if you meet the conditions for doing so. You must show the card every time you are in contact with the healthcare system.

If you move to Denmark, or start working in Denmark, you must provide information about your health insurance conditions to Udbetaling Danmark. Udbetaling Danmark will then assess whether Denmark or another country is responsible for paying for your care when you use the Danish health care system.

You must for example inform Udbetaling Danmark if you:

• Are receiving a pension from another Nordic country, or an EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the UK
• Are receiving other social benefits from another Nordic country, EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the UK – for example in the case of maternity leave or illness
• Have previously lived in Denmark and are now moving back.

If you live in another Nordic country and work in Denmark for a Danish employer, you are as a general rule covered by Danish health insurance. If you are covered by the social security system in Denmark, you can apply for the blue European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at borger.dk. This card documents that you are entitled to use the Danish health care system on the same terms as people resident in Denmark. You must apply to Udbetaling Danmark to have this card issued, and you must show the card each time you are in contact with the healthcare system.

You will either be considered a “cross-border worker” or an ordinary employee in Denmark. This will be decided by Udbetaling Danmark on the basis of whether or not you travel back to your residence in another Nordic country at least once a week. In either case, you will have full access to Danish health services – but if you have family members who are to be covered by health insurance with you, it will make a difference to their health insurance whether you are considered a cross-border worker or an ordinary employee.

The special health card is valid for a maximum of two years. It may be valid for a shorter time if your entitlement to the card is linked to a time-limited situation. You can apply for the card at borger.dk, and you can use the self-service system without having a MitID.

Companies can apply for special health cards on behalf of their employees at virk.dk.

You can read more about the special health card at borger.dk. If you have any questions on international health insurance, contact Udbetaling Danmark, International Sygesikring. You can read more about the Danish health insurance system at borger.dk, and at the website of the Danish Patient Safety Authority.

If you are covered by Danish health insurance, you must apply to Udbetaling Danmark for the blue EU health insurance card. In some situations, you may also be entitled to the card even if you live abroad – for example if you live abroad but work in Denmark. This card is your proof of your right to receive necessary health treatment during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the UK – for example if you fall ill during a holiday.

You must apply for an EU health insurance card yourself, either online at borger.dk, or by contacting Udbetaling Danmark if you do not have a MitID or are exempt from Digital Post.

If you are receiving social benefits from another country in the Nordic region, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland, such as a pension or benefits during maternity leave or illness, you must as a rule apply for an EU health insurance card in that country. If you are receiving benefits from the UK, you will need to apply for a British health card. If you are in doubt, contact Udbetaling Danmark.

At the website of the European Commission, you can find information on how to use your EU health insurance card while staying in other EU/EEA countries, Switzerland or the UK. At the website of the Danish Patient Safety Authority, you can read about the special Nordic agreement on the right to be transported home in the event of illness.

If you have paid for medical treatment in another member state which you believe may be covered by your EU health insurance card, you can apply for a refund via the Danish Patient Safety Authority. If your expense has arisen through the purchase of a health service in another EU or EEA country, you can also choose to apply for reimbursement through your Region of residence in Denmark. In this case, your application will be assessed according to what you may be entitled to receive in accordance with the Danish rules on subsidies for healthcare services. Regardless of whether you choose to apply via the Authority or the Region, you can choose to have both options examined and thereby obtain reimbursement according to the rules that cover as much of your expenses as possible. You can apply online for reimbursement for medicines purchased in another EU/EEA country via the Danish Medicines Agency. For guidance, contact the Danish Patient Safety Authority.  
 

If you are covered by health insurance in a Nordic country and become ill during a temporary stay in Denmark, you have the right to receive whatever treatment is assessed to be medically necessary during your stay. This applies in the case of acute illness, but also if you have an pre-existing condition, such as a chronic illness, or if you are pregnant and need examination or treatment while you are in Denmark.

Health services in the Danish public health system are usually provided free of charge, but you must be able to document that you are publicly insured in your country of residence. If you are covered by health insurance in a Nordic country, you must be able to show identification and provide your address when you receive treatment in Denmark. You can also show your EU health insurance card as documentation.

If you live in and are publicly insured in another Nordic country, you can in some cases seek planned treatment in Denmark. However, you must check with your health insurance in your country of residence concerning whether you will need prior authorisation to cover the cost. Prior authorisation is often required for hospital treatment. You may also have the right to purchase the treatment and subsequently seek reimbursement from the health insurance authority in your country of residence. Contact your health insurance provider to learn more about what conditions apply to you if you seek planned medical treatment in Denmark.

Please note that in Denmark, a referral from a doctor or dentist may be required in order to receive certain treatments within the public health system. This applies, for example, to treatment in public hospitals and at certain specialist doctors.