You always have the right to acute healthcare in Denmark, no matter where you come from. This includes treatment for serious allergic reactions as well as accidents and acute illness. The emergency number in Denmark is 112.
If you need to go to an ER or Accident & Emergency department (Akutmodtagelse in Danish) while visiting Denmark, then you should call ahead so that the relevant hospital knows you are coming. Usually, you will be given a specific time at your local hospital to attend.
Each of Denmark’s five regional health authorities have a different number which you should call in this situation. They are listed below. You will be connected to an on-call doctor (lægevagt) who will ask about your situation and provide advice.
- Greater Copenhagen – 1813
- Zealand – 1818
- South Denmark (includes Odense) – 70 11 07 07
- Central Jutland (includes Aarhus) – 70 11 31 31
- North Jutland (includes Aalborg) – 70 15 03 00
If you are unsure which region you are in, you can use the lægevagten.dk website, which has a clickable map with contact details.
Keep in mind that if the emergency injury or illness is life-threatening, you immediately should call 112 – Denmark’s equivalent to the 911 or 999 emergency numbers.
READ ALSO: Emergency in Denmark: Who to call and what to say
Do I have to pay for emergency treatment?
Depending on where you come from, you may be charged for “acute and continuous hospital treatment”. This is most likely if you are from a country which is outside of the EU along with Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland .
You should therefore take out travel insurance that covers you in acute situations if needed.
You do not have to pay if you have public health insurance in another EU country or Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland and have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
If you live in one of the Nordic countries and have health insurance there, an EHIC card is not needed.
You also don’t have to pay if you are under 18 years old.
An EHIC card entitles you to any medical treatemant “that is necessary during your temporary stay in Denmark, meaning treatment which cannot wait until you are back in your home country,” according to information from the Danish Patient Safety Authority.
This can mean treatment due to an acute illness, necessary treatment related to a chronic or pre-existing illness or treatment in connection with pregnancy and childbirth.
The EHIC means you are eligible for treatment within the Danish public healthcare system on the same terms and conditions as Danish citizens.
More on how to use the European Health Insurance Card can be found on the EU Commission website.
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