If you're an EU/EEA or Swiss student staying in Denmark for more than three months, you'll get full access to Danish public healthcare once you register in the CPR system with an S1 form or a valid EHIC. Non-EU/EEA students need a residence permit and CPR registration to get the national health insurance card. Emergency hospital care is free for everyone, but everyday care depends on your registration.
Who gets what: your situation at a glance
Your entitlements depend on where you're from and how long you're staying. Here's the breakdown:
- EU/EEA or Swiss, staying under 3 months: use your EHIC if you're covered by statutory insurance at home.
- EU/EEA or Swiss, staying over 3 months: register for CPR with an S1 or a valid EHIC and you get full access to the public system.
- Non-EU/EEA, staying over 3 months: you need a residence permit and CPR registration, after which you receive the national health insurance card.
- Anyone, short visit: free emergency hospital care for accidents, childbirth, acute illness or a sudden worsening of a chronic disease.
For a deeper look at the paperwork and options, see our health insurance guide.
Emergency care: what's always covered
Even if you haven't registered yet, you won't be turned away in an emergency. Non-residents are entitled to free emergency hospital care for accidents, childbirth, acute illness or a sudden worsening of a chronic disease. That's a safety net, not a substitute for full coverage.
But the public system doesn't cover transport to your home country if you fall ill. So if you want that kind of cover, you'll need to arrange it yourself.
How to register for CPR and choose your GP
CPR registration is the key to everyday care. Once you're registered, you choose between two groups:
- Group 1: you're assigned a GP and care is free. Roughly 98% of residents choose this.
- Group 2: you can see any GP or specialist, but only part of the cost is reimbursed.
For most students, Group 1 is the straightforward choice. You'll get a health insurance card once you're in the system.
What's not covered: dental, physio and more
Free care has exceptions. Dental care and physiotherapy are the big ones, you'll usually pay something towards these, so budget for them. Check with your institution or the health authorities for the current rules on reimbursements.
Also, the public system won't cover you for things like third-party liability, accidents or home contents. Study in Denmark recommends these types of insurance because institutions can't be held liable for theft or loss of property. That's worth knowing if you're bringing a laptop, bike or other valuables.
Non-EU/EEA students: permits and insurance
If you're from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, you normally need a residence permit for study before you come. You apply through the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), details are on nyidanmark.dk. Once you have your permit and register for CPR, you'll get the national health insurance card.
Until you're registered, you may need private insurance to cover you. Check with your institution about what they require.
Other insurance you might need
Beyond health cover, Study in Denmark recommends third-party liability, accident and home contents insurance. These fill gaps the public system doesn't cover, like if you accidentally damage someone else's property or your bike gets stolen. Institutions can't be held liable for theft or loss of your belongings, so it's up to you to protect them.
Your budget should include these extras, see our cost of living guide for general advice on planning your finances.
Applying to study in Denmark
If you're still choosing where to apply, we list 24 Danish higher education institutions and 422 programmes from the Study in Denmark register. You can browse all universities in Denmark to compare. Undergraduate applications go through optagelse.dk, with deadlines of 15 March and 5 July at 12 noon CET. Higher education is free of charge for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland; other full-degree students pay tuition fees set by each institution. Always confirm fees and deadlines with the institution.
Sources
- Life in Denmark, healthcare
- Life in Denmark, insurance
- Study in Denmark, how to apply
- Study in Denmark, tuition fees and scholarships
- Study in Denmark, residence permits for non-EU/EEA citizens
- Study in Denmark, quality assurance
Frequently asked questions
Do international students get free healthcare in Denmark?
EU/EEA and Swiss students staying over three months get full access to public healthcare after CPR registration with an S1 or EHIC. Non-EU/EEA students get the national health insurance card after obtaining a residence permit and registering. Emergency hospital care is free for everyone for accidents, childbirth, acute illness or sudden worsening of a chronic disease.
What is the difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in the Danish healthcare system?
Group 1 assigns you a specific GP and care is free; roughly 98% of residents are in this group. Group 2 lets you see any GP or specialist, but you only get part of the cost reimbursed. Most students choose Group 1 for simplicity.
Is dental care covered by Danish health insurance for students?
No, dental care is one of the exceptions to free care, along with physiotherapy. You'll usually pay something towards these services. Check with your institution or the health authorities for current reimbursement rules.
Do I need private health insurance as a student in Denmark?
Study in Denmark recommends third-party liability, accident and home contents insurance because institutions can't be held liable for theft or loss of property. Also, the public system doesn't cover transport to your home country if you fall ill. Private health insurance may be required before CPR registration for non-EU/EEA students.