Understand the Danish healthcare system
The Danish healthcare system covers international students at the University of Copenhagen who are staying in Denmark for more than three months. In fact, the Danish healthcare system offers universal and equal access for all residents in Denmark as long as you have a health insurance card (the yellow card), showing your CPR number, name, address and the name of your doctor. With the health insurance card, you can receive medical treatment in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
As an international student and resident in Denmark, you will have access to free medical treatment with some exceptions, such as dental care and physiotherapy, which are not included in the free healthcare system.
Apply for a CPR number
It may take up to two weeks from the day you apply until you receive your health insurance card. In case you need medical treatment during this period, you are welcome to consult the doctor you were assigned upon registration.
Find out how to apply for the health insurance card by clicking the button below.
Healthcare for international students
Students from non-EU/EEA and non-Nordic countries who are staying for more than three months should apply forthe health insurance card upon arrival.
The health insurance card is valid immediately after you have registered with the local Citizen Service. It is strongly recommended that you register as soon as possible after arriving in Denmark.
EU/EEA and Swiss students should bring along their European Health Insurance Card (the blue card), which they can apply for in their own country.
This card is free of charge and gives access to state-provided healthcare.
It also entitles you to free medical care in Denmark until you receive the Danish health insurance card. See information about healthcare for EU/EEA/Swiss students.
Nordic students are covered for up to six months by the Danish Health Security Act.
Nordic students should bring along their European Health Insurance Card (the blue health insurance card), which they can apply for in their own country.
For more information about moving within the Nordic countries, please visit the Nordic Co-operation website.
Healthcare contact information and emergency admissions
Doctors, general practitioners and specialists in Denmark
Seeing a doctor when you have a blue or yellow health insurance card
You can see a doctor for free with a yellow or blue health insurance card. When you receive your health insurance card, you will be assigned a general practitioner. Their contact details are printed on your health insurance card if you need to make an appointment. Remember to bring your health insurance card when you go to see the doctor.
Get information about the health insurance card in Denmark
Specialists in Denmark
If you need to see a specialist, please make an appointment with your general practitioner to get a referral.
Pharmacies in Denmark
You can buy a few types of medicine in supermarkets. However, if you need medicine, even though it is just painkillers, we recommend that you always buy them in a pharmacy, where specialists can give you professional advice.
If you need medication outside regular opening hours, a few pharmacies are open 24/7.
Copenhagen Steno Pharmacy
Vesterbrogade 6C
DK-1620 Copenhagen V
Tel: (+45) 33 14 82 66
Copenhagen Sønderbro Pharmacy
Amagerbrogade 158
DK-2300 Copenhagen S
Tel: (+45) 32 58 01 40
Hospitals, helplines, care centres, and emergency admissions
If you do not know/are uncertain of what you should do in the event of sudden illness or injury, you can call the medical helpline at +45 1813.
The emergency number + 45 112 is for when you need urgent help.
Find the nearest urgent care centre in Copenhagen
There are four hospitals with emergency admissions. They are open 24 hours a day. Here, you can receive treatment for a serious or minor injury, or if you have suddenly fallen ill. Remember you must call the Medical helpline:+45 1813 before going to the emergency admission. Find the nearest urgent care centre in Copenhagen.
Emergency dental service
In case of an emergency outside of office hours (8-16), you can visit the emergency dental service.
Emergency Dental Service (Tandlægevagten) Oslo Plads 14, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø (near Østerport station). Tel: (+45) 35 38 02 51.
Sexual harassment and sexual assault
If you have experienced sexual harassment and/or other offensive behaviour, you may want to talk to someone about the incident. You may also want to file a complaint against the person who offended you. Find out how to best get help.
In the event that you are exposed to a sexual assault, it is possible to receive both medical and psychological counselling at the Centre for Victims og Sexual Assaultor hospital. It is very important to go to the nearest centre (or hospital) to be examined if you have been subject to a sexual assault. Do not shower or wash up before going. Remember that it is not shameful and not something you should hide. It is not your fault, and it helps to talk about it.
Rigshospitalet has a Centre for Victims of Sexual Assault. The centre is open 24 hours a day. You do not need an appointment, but it may be a good idea to contact the centre before showing up to let them know you are coming, and they can advise you on what to do and what to bring. Remember that the centre will help you regardless of whether you want to report the assault to the police or not.
Centre for Victims of Sexual Assault
Blegdamsvej 9, Entrance 5, 3rd floor, section 5032
DK-2100 Copenhagen East
– also entrance from Juliane Maries Vej
Mental health services
Studying at the University of Copenhagen is both exciting and challenging, and a healthy wellbeing is crucial for making your university experience a positive one. We want you to know that a range of support services are available to you in case you need it.
Non-emergency cases
|
Emergency cases If you, or someone you know, need urgent psychiatric help, you can contact one of the eight mental acute psychiatric admission centres in the Capital Region of Denmark.
|
What can they do for you?
If you, or someone you know, are in a situation that you feel requires immediate psychiatric help, the acute psychiatric admissions centre can help you. This could, for example, be:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling that your life is out of control
- Extreme anxiety
- Drug withdrawal symptoms
- Severe depression.
The staff in the acute psychiatric admission centres can offer immediate admission if necessary. Alternatively, they can refer you to your own physician (GP) or to treatment at a clinic or community mental health centre.
Psyhiatric admissions and mental health
If you, or someone you know, need urgent psychiatric help, you can contact one of the eight mental acute psychiatric admissions in the Capital Region of Copenhagen.
Dentists in Denmark
If you need to see a dentist, you are free to choose any dentist. Please note that dental treatment is not free of charge in Denmark. You will find a list of dentists in ‘the yellow pages’ (list of companies and persons listed publicly in Denmark, only in Danish) by typing
Emergency dental service
In case of an emergency outside of office hours (8-16), you can visit the emergency dental service.
Emergency Dental Service (Tandlægevagten) Oslo Plads 14, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø (near Østerport station). Tel: (+45) 35 38 02 51.
Opening hours: weekdays 20-21:30, weekends and public holidays 10-12
Insurances during your studies in Denmark
Insurance recommendations
The University of Copenhagen does not require students to take out insurance. However, we strongly encourage you to do so, since students are not covered by any UCPH insurance policies.
UCPH recommends students to take out accident insurance and liability insurance. In terms of general insurance, you can contact a Danish insurance company if you are not able to take out insurance prior to your departure in your home country.
UCPH recommends the following insurance coverage:
- Accident insurance to cover financial consequences of an accident
- Liability insurance to cover compensation to other people
- Home contents insurance to cover your personal belongings
- Car insurance if you are buying (or renting) a car while studying in Denmark.
Emergency response unit at UCPH
UCPH has an emergency response security unit that deals with extraordinary hazardous events. Find out more about the UCPH emergency response security unit.
Copenhagen diplomatic list
See list of foreign missions, consulates, and international organisations in Denmark with addresses, e-mails, phone numbers, and office hours.