Denmark is the land of “hygge”, has a unique quality and way of life, and above all it is one of the happiest countries in the world. It mainly attracts expatriates from Europe, Asia and North America who want to make the most of their life abroad. Denmark offers many opportunities and advantages to its inhabitants: flexibility, work-life balance, security… The Danish healthcare system is of high quality, with a good digital presence in hospitals. In this guide, we explain how to cover your health in Denmark, and how public health insurance works in this country.
The way forward: expatriate insurance in Denmark
Depending on your needs, there are several ways to cover yourself in Denmark. The choice of health insurance is not to be taken lightly if you want to get the best possible reimbursement.
If you are a European citizen, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card from your health insurance company. But be aware that this is only suitable for emergencies or medically necessary treatments. If you plan to live in Denmark, you will need a more comprehensive health insurance. The same applies to travel insurance, which has limited medical cover and is therefore not suitable for living abroad.
Expatriate insurance in Denmark is designed specifically for foreigners who wish to settle and live in Denmark. Unlike other types of insurance, the scope of its coverage is worldwide: you can travel safely without fear of unexpected medical expenses. It reimburses more of your health costs, both for inpatient and outpatient treatment. It is also more flexible, as it usually offers several levels of cover.
Being covered by the modern and successful Danish health care system
As a newcomer to Denmark, you have the opportunity to be covered by the Danish health insurance system, Sygesikring. One condition is that you must be registered at the Population Registration Office in order to receive your “Sygesikringskort” health card, known for its yellow colour, and your Danish social security number, the CPR number, within about a month.
Danish insurance groups
There are two groups of health insurance when you are covered by Danish health insurance:
- People in group 1 are registered with a general practitioner from the list of doctors in their area. Most of the time, consultation of a specialist must be done through the GP (not necessary in the case of a dentist or ophthalmologist for example). Apart from dental, optical and homeopathic treatment, medical care is free of charge. Most people in Denmark are covered under this scheme.
- People in group 2 do not have a general practitioner and are free to choose their health care provider. You have to pay the difference in fees, which are set by the doctors themselves, if the consultation fee is higher than the subsidy set by the region.
You have the possibility of changing groups by applying online, or changing GPs after 6 months. Please note that there is a charge for this, which is around DKK 200.
Coverage and exclusions
- Hospitalisation in a public hospital is free of charge and is prescribed by a doctor. The hospital may refer the patient to a private institution, in which case the costs are covered. If the patient decides to stay in a private hospital, there will be no reimbursement from the health insurance. Transport costs are often covered.
- Emergency care is free, the emergency number is 112.
- Outpatient care is fully covered, with the exception of dental care for adults over 18.
- Regarding maternity, a pregnant woman who has been resident in Denmark for at least 6 weeks and is in employment may receive daily benefits. The amount of this benefit is calculated on the basis of the last three months’ income.
- The reimbursement rate for prescription drugs is staggered. Non-prescription medicines, with exceptions for the elderly and chronically ill, are not reimbursed.
Foyer Global Health, your trusted insurer in Denmark
As a specialist in expatriate health insurance with decades of experience, Foyer Global Health offers insurance plans in Denmark for all expatriates and digital nomads, alone, with their family or as a couple. These plans fully cover all the treatments you will need: dental, maternity, optical, check-ups, etc.
We pay particular attention to the needs of our customers, ensuring that they have the best health cover for their situation. Among the strong points of our offers:
- Complete freedom of choice of healthcare provider (doctors and hospitals)
- Repatriation, transport and evacuation covered
- Unlimited general health cover, including Covid-19 and other viral diseases
- Free and unlimited medical services, such as teleconsultation
- A fully digitalized experience and experts available to answer your questions, no matter where you are in the world
If you would like more information about our insurance, contact our team or get a free quote!