Support for assistive devices in Denmark

If you are legally residing in Denmark, you may be entitled to support for assistive devices. As a rule, it is the municipality that assesses your application and makes a decision. You should usually apply before purchasing an assistive device.

Which assistive devices can you apply for support for?

If you or your child has a permanently reduced physical or mental capacity, you can apply to the municipality to borrow an assistive device, or obtain a subsidy to buy one.

The municipality can provide support for assistive devices, certain consumer goods, and changes to your home if you have a permanent physical or mental disability. The aim is to enable you to live as independently as possible in your everyday life.

The decisive factor is not your diagnosis, but the consequences of your disability for your daily life. The disability may be congenital, or may have occurred later in life following illness or accident.

The municipality must provide support for an assistive device if the device significantly:

• Can significantly alleviate the lasting effects of your disability
• Can facilitate everyday life in your home
• Is necessary in your working life.

Assistive devices can be technical devices, such as:

• Walking aids
• Wheelchairs
• Special beds
• Small assistive devices for your kitchen or bathroom

Assistive devices can also be body-worn, such as:

• Supportive corsets
• Artificial limbs
• Breast prostheses
• Wigs (for permanent hair loss)
• Ostomy aids
• Orthopaedic footwear or insoles
• Hearing aids
• Special clothing
• Vision aids

When assistance is granted for some kinds of assistive devices, such as orthopaedic footwear, the user also pays part of the cost.

You must apply to the municipality before purchasing the device. The municipality can provide support for the most suitable and least expensive device. If you want a more expensive device, you will have to pay the extra cost yourself.

It is free of charge for you to borrow an assistive device from the municipality, and your own finances have no bearing on whether you can obtain a subsidy, or on how much you can receive. The subsidy is tax-free.

In the first instance, you must apply online to the municipality. If you cannot use the digital self-service, you should contact the municipality. The municipality can help you, or provide guidance on other options.

You can obtain more information from your municipality. See the link at the bottom of the page.

If you have a disability that makes it difficult to work, study or participate in an employment-oriented offer, you may be entitled to assistive devices. You can obtain the support as a loan or a grant.

Assistive devices may include:

• Work utensils (e.g. a special phone or an ergonomic chair)
• Minor workplace adaptations (e.g. a ramp)
• Educational materials (e.g. IT aids for persons with dyslexia)

The preconditions for receiving support include:

• The device is not commonly found in your workplace or educational institution
• The expense is beyond what your employer should normally pay
• The assistive device is crucial for you to be able to participate in the work offer or maintain your employment or self-employment
• The assistive device compensates for the limitation in your working ability.

Contact the municipality in which you live for further details. The municipality will assess whether you can obtain assistive devices for your work, education or employment-oriented offers. See the link at the bottom of the page.

If you are an old-age pensioner or have been granted an early retirement pension before 2003, you can apply to the municipality for a general or extended health subsidy. General health subsidies include reimbursements for dental care, prescription medication, hearing aids, physiotherapy, foot therapy, psychological help and/or chiropractor. Extended health subsidies include reimbursement for dentures, glasses and/or foot treatment. Your personal financial situation determines the size of the subsidy.

You can obtain more information from your municipality. See the link at the bottom of the page.

If you are receiving support for assistive devices in another Nordic country and move to Denmark, you will often need to apply for support in Denmark, instead of in the country from which you are moving.

You should therefore contact both the authority that granted the support in the country from which you are moving, and the Danish municipality to which you wish to move. Do this before you move.

Who should you contact if you have questions about assistive devices?

If you have any questions, you can contact your municipality.