Illness and accidents are never welcome visitors on a holiday, but they do happen! In Denmark help is always at hand and visitors from the UK and the Republic of Ireland do not have to pay for medical treatment in a hospital if matters should take a turn for the worse.

Anyone visiting Denmark on a temporary basis is entitled to free emergency treatment at a hospital or an emergency department in the event of sudden illness, an accident or sudden deterioration of an existing condition. In addition also any woman giving birth, provided the birth could not reasonably have been foreseen to take place during the woman’s temporary stay in Denmark.

The medical care provided for visitors to Denmark in the event of an emergency does not extend to the cost of repatriation, should this become necessary, and it is always advisable to take out a general travel insurance.
In all cases it is a precondition that the patient has not travelled to Denmark with the specific purpose of seeking medical treatment.

See below for information on what to do in the event of an emergency.

To contact the police, fire department, or hospital in an emergency, dial 112.

Emergency medical care is supplied by municipal authorities, and hotel staff, service staff at holiday centres or tourist office staff can direct guests to local doctors, emergency centres, hospitals, or dental clinics. Emergency treatment at Danish public hospitals is free for British visitors with a 10-year UK passport.

In addition it is advisable to carry the E111 card. Visitors from the Republic of Ireland must carry the E111 form to qualify for free treatment. Different regulations apply to visitors from the Isle of Man and from the Channel Islands – check the links below for further information.

Fees for non-emergency medical services are usually payable in cash, and are reasonable by international standards. If you take prescribed medication, you should bring a supply large enough to last throughout the trip since some medicines available in your home country may not be on the market in Denmark. Please note that the supply must not exceed a quantity of 14 days' use if you are travelling from a non-Schengen country, and 30 days if you are travelling from a Schengen country. Proof of the necessity of the remedy, such as a doctor’s certificate, may be required upon entry.

For more information, contact Danish diplomatic representatives