Application for health insurance card in Denmark: 3 health insurance cards (EHIC, yellow card, særlige sundhedskort)

Application for health insurance card in Denmark

The health care system in Denmark has an excellent reputation for the high level of service provided and the wide range of medical benefits available. However, in order to take advantage of these benefits, it is necessary to have the proper documentation, including a health insurance card.

Applying for a health insurance card in Denmark is an important step in the process of ensuring that you have adequate health coverage during your stay in the country. An employee working in Denmark is entitled to basic medical care in the country in the event of a sudden illness or accident during the course of the employment contract. Children are automatically covered by the health insurance system along with their parents until they turn 15, after which they are insured independently of their parents.

It is worth noting, however, that in order for Danish health insurance to apply, an employee must have at least one salary settled, which has been reported to SKAT by the employer, and have a CPR number. This means that from the start of employment, even for up to 8 weeks, the employee’s Danish insurance is not yet in effect. That’s why it’s important to take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you when you go to Denmark, confirming your existing insurance or private health insurance.

Health insurance cards in Denmark

Health insurance in Denmark

Health insurance in Denmark is an integral part of the country’s health care system, which provides access to quality medical services for its residents and legal residents. If you are an adult over the age of 18 who has moved to Denmark, you must provide information regarding your country and health insurance if you meet one of the following criteria:

You hold citizenship in a European Union (EU) nation, the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland
You lived in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland immediately before coming to Denmark.
If you are a Danish citizen, you must also provide information about your country of health insurance if you moved to Denmark from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

Providing this information is necessary so that Udbetaling Danmark can determine which country should cover the costs of your use of the Danish health care system. According to European Union regulations, in some cases these costs are borne by a European country other than Denmark, which is referred to as your health insurance country.

Even if you do not have complete information or documentation, you should provide information regarding your health insurance country. If you do not have documentation, you can send it at a later date to Udbetaling Danmark, Kongens Vænge 8, 3400 Hillerød.

You may be asked to attach documents when you fill out the “Information about your health insurance country” form. This applies if:

You are assigned from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland
you plan to work in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland,
you are receiving unemployment benefits from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland,
you are a foreign student,
you are a pensioner and receive a pension exclusively from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland,
you receive other benefits, such as sickness, maternity or pre-retirement benefits, from another EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

Depending on your situation, the required documents may include one of the EU health insurance forms (E106, E109, E121, S072 or S1), a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or an A1 social security legislation decision/certificate or a decision to refuse an A1 certificate. Complete and submit the form, even if you don’t have all the documents.

Instead of proceeding to fill out the form right away, it is a good idea to prepare the documents as digital files on your computer beforehand. For example, you can scan the documents or take photos of them with your cell phone and save them on your computer. You don’t have to upload all the documents. If you have both an EHIC card and a health insurance form, you only need to send the form. On the other hand, if you have one of these health insurance documents, you do not need to send the A1 social security legislation decision/certificate.

The A1 certificate is a document stating in which country you are covered by the social security system. If you have been seconded by a foreign employer to work in Denmark, you can apply for an A1 certificate from the authorities of the country where you live. If you work in more than one country, you should contact Udbetaling Danmark, the international social security department.

After receiving your information, Udbetaling Danmark will assess whether you are covered by Denmark’s health insurance system or that of another country. This is important in determining which country will cover your treatment under the Danish health care system. The decision regarding health insurance will be based on the information and documents you provide.

As an employer, you have the option to request the special health insurance card on behalf of your employees who work in Denmark but reside abroad.

You will require the following documentation:

MitID employee certificate
Signed power of attorney from the employee
Employee’s CPR number or withholding tax number
Employee’s complete name, address, nationality, and contact number
Copy of the employee’s employment contract
Details regarding any potential work the employee may undertake in countries other than Denmark
Employee’s preference for placement in health insurance group 1 or 2
Optionally, the employee’s decision on social security/Certificate A1, if applicable
Optionally, the employee’s EU health insurance form E 106 if they have been assigned to work in Denmark.

Application for EHIC insurance card – Blue Card

The Blue Insurance Card, known as the European Health Insurance Card, allows you to receive medical services outside Denmark (in EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) and is subject to the regulations of the respective country. It is a useful document when traveling in Europe, allowing you to receive urgent medical care in EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein (EEA) and Switzerland.

The basic principle of using the EHIC in Denmark is that those who are covered by health insurance in their country should obtain the card before traveling to Denmark. The card entitles you to receive necessary medical services at public health care facilities in Denmark. The decision on what constitutes “essential medical care” is made by the doctor on the spot.

When assessing your medical condition, the doctor takes into account your symptoms and your planned length of stay in Denmark. If he finds an urgent need for medical intervention, tourists from European Union countries can receive free treatment under the EHIC. It is worth noting that they are treated equally with Danish citizens and have access to care on the same basis.

However, there are some restrictions on the use of the EHIC in Denmark. In some situations, treatment that would be free in other countries may be paid for in Denmark, and the National Health Service will not compensate for these costs.

The EHIC card in Denmark provides free access to necessary health care for general, specialized and hospital treatment. However, fees must be paid for:

Preventive dental treatment: a partial reimbursement of 40% or, for those under 26 years of age, 65% can be claimed;
Dentures and crowns: payment is one-time and non-refundable;
Medical return transportation to other country: not reimbursable;
Reimbursable drugs: reimbursement for adults is only available if annual drug expenses exceed 925 kroner (50%, 75% or 85% reimbursement). If drug expenses per year do not exceed 925 kroner, reimbursement is only available for children’s drugs – at 60% of the cost.

The European Health Insurance Card is an EU document that confirms the holder’s right to free medical treatment in any EU or EFTA country other than their own. Det blå EU-sygesikringskort is issued for each person separately, there is no single card for the whole family. It’s valid for five years. In addition, persons who are stateless, recognized refugees or family members of a person covered by national health insurance in Denmark are entitled to Det blå EU-sygesikringskort. Family members are considered to be a spouse, domestic partner and children under the age of 18. However, it should be noted that parents of children who are EU/EEA or Swiss citizens are not entitled to a European health insurance card.

A cardholder traveling abroad is entitled to treatment under the following conditions:

Treatment that is necessary and unscheduled,
Provided within the public health care system of the country concerned,
Under the same conditions as for citizens of the country (if there is an obligation to pay part of the cost for a visit to a doctor, payment of the corresponding own fee is required).

However, services not available on the Blue Health Insurance Card include:

Emergency costs in EU/EFTA countries. If you are engaged in high-risk activities, such as extreme sports, it is advisable to check the rules of assistance and consider additional commercial insurance,
Costs of returning to the country in case of sudden illness.

How to obtain an EHIC card?
The process of obtaining an EHIC card is extremely simple. The EHIC card can be obtained by anyone who is covered by the national health insurance of the National Health Insurance Fund. All you need to do is fill out a dedicated application for an EHIC card and submit it, which you can do in person at a NHF branch or use the remote application option. To obtain the card, you will need to contact your health insurance institution, which is responsible for health care coverage.

If you are planning to travel to Denmark, it is advisable to obtain an EHIC before you leave. The process is free and requires little paperwork. There are several ways to obtain the card:

Going to a branch of the National Health Service or its delegation, where you can download an application, fill it out on the spot and get the card right away.
Filling out the application via electronic mailbox or the Internet Patient Account, after which you can pick up the card in person or have it mailed to you.
Printing the form from the NHF website, filling it out and sending it by mail to the NHF, where you will also receive the card by mail.
Filling out the application electronically, however, this option only applies to EHICs issued for travel to work.
The waiting time for the issuance of an EHIC, except for the option of immediate receipt, is usually about 5 working days. During periods of higher tourist traffic, it may be slightly longer.

It should be remembered that each EHIC card issued by the National Health Service has a specific validity, which depends on the insured’s status. Therefore, those who have already had an EHIC issued should check its validity before leaving. If you do not have a valid card, you should apply for a new one as soon as possible.

The EHIC can be issued for different periods of time, depending on the insured person’s situation:

For 20 years – for retirees of retirement age.
For 5 years – for pensioners who have not yet reached retirement age, and for minors with foreign citizenship.
For up to 18 years – for minors who are members of a family or who receive a pension or have their own insurance rights.
For 3 years – for those working on a contract, receiving benefits or pre-retirement benefits.
For 18 months – for adults drawing a pension, being 18 years old and being family members, studying or being students with their own insurance entitlements.
For 6 months – for those who are uninsured, but are legally entitled to NHF benefits (e.g., pregnant women, people with refugee status living in other countries).
For 2 months – for registered unemployed or insured persons who do not fit into the above categories.
For 90 days – for uninsured persons receiving publicly funded health care benefits.
For 42 days – for postpartum women with foreign citizenship and living in foreign country.

The time for issuing an EHIC card depends on the method chosen.When applying in person, an EHIC card can be obtained practically immediately. However, when choosing another method, the waiting time can be up to 2 weeks.

What is the process of filling out an application for an EHIC card?

Filling out an application for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Denmark is a relatively simple process. These are the steps that you need to take:

Gather the required documents: Make sure you have all the necessary documents, such as personal information, health insurance number, etc., before starting the process.
Apply for an EHIC: You can apply for an EHIC in person at the relevant health insurance office, or online via the website of the National Health Insurance Fund or other institution responsible for health insurance in Denmark.
Fill out the form: Complete the EHIC application form with all the required information, such as personal information, health insurance number, planned travel date, etc.
Submit the application: After completing the application form, submit it to the relevant health insurance office or submit it online, following the instructions on the website of the National Health Insurance Fund or other relevant institution.
Await a verdict: Once the application is submitted, anticipate a decision. In most cases, this process takes up to several weeks. If your application is approved, you will receive your European Health Insurance Card within the specified time.
Pick up your EHIC card: If your application is approved, pick up your EHIC card in person at the office or by mail, according to your country’s procedures.

Remember that the EHIC is valid for a limited period of time, so make sure you apply early enough before you plan to travel.

Who is eligible to use the card?
The person applying for the card must be insured or covered by a public health insurance system in any of the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Each member of the traveling family should have their own card.

Residents of Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden can use public health care services in Denmark by simply presenting a valid ID card and a document proving their permanent residence in one of the Nordic countries.

A non-EU citizen can use his/her EHIC card in Denmark only if he/she meets one of the following conditions:

Is a family member of a covered EU citizen.
Has resident status in Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden.
Meets the criteria for a stateless person according to the 1954 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons.
Is a refugee in accordance with the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Non-EU citizens who are legally resident in the EU and covered by the national health insurance system can also apply for the card. However, non-EU citizens cannot use the card in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

To apply for an EHIC card, you can do so online at:

Life in Denmark (in English)
borger.dk (in Danish).

Reimbursement of medical expenses in Denmark
If you have had to or have had to pay full medical expenses, it is possible to apply for reimbursement through the public health service by contacting the municipality (kommune) where you are currently staying. There you can receive reimbursement for your medical expenses or information on the procedure for obtaining such reimbursement.

In order to apply for reimbursement, it is necessary to present original receipts, prescriptions and any referrals you have received or have been given. In addition, you will need to show your EHIC card and provide your bank details, including your account number in IBAN format and SWIFT/BIC code.

If it would not be possible to submit a claim for reimbursement during your stay in Denmark, it is recommended that you contact your insurer about this upon your return home.

It is worth knowing that:

The EHIC card can only be used in the event of a health or life-threatening emergency. It is not used to reimburse medical care in less urgent cases.
Public facilities are the only ones that accept EHIC cards. Private treatment is not covered by the EHIC card and is not reimbursable.
The EHIC card guarantees reimbursement only for medically necessary procedures.

Is travel insurance free of restrictions?
When comparing travel insurance with an EHIC card, it is easy to see that the policy offers broader coverage in most cases. Nevertheless, commercial policies are not completely free of drawbacks. One of them is the need to pay a premium at the time of purchase, while the EHIC card Denmark is issued by the National Health Service for free. However, it is worth remembering that travel insurance is relatively inexpensive. For each day of coverage, on average, you have to pay. However, the bigger limitation is exclusions of liability, i.e. situations in which the insurer may refuse to reimburse medical expenses. For travel policies, exclusions of liability include:

non-reimbursement of pre-planned medical treatment;
no coverage for medical expenses in case of accidents caused by alcohol or drugs;
lack of reimbursement in the case of intentional attempts at fraud.

Yellow card application

During a medical consultation or hospital stay in Denmark, it is necessary to provide a personal CPR number and present a yellow insurance card. Assistance provided includes basic care (e.g., pain relief, dressing, advice) or life-saving interventions. Those without a yellow card will receive a bill for the visit. For those already covered by Danish health insurance but without a yellow card, reimbursement of medical expenses is possible after completing the appropriate paperwork.

The yellow health card displays personal details such as your name, address, CPR number, and your doctor’s name and address. It serves as evidence of your eligibility to receive medical care in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Additionally, the card is required for obtaining a MitID.

To facilitate the use of health benefits in Denmark, it is recommended that you obtain a yellow card for the duration of your employment contract. To apply for the card, you must have a CPR number and a minimum of one salary settled. There are two ways to apply for the card:

Online: Fill out the form below. If you meet the conditions for the card, you will receive the card within 2-3 weeks. If Udbetaling Danmark needs additional information or you are not eligible for a card, you will be notified by letter within 3 weeks. The issuance of the card is free of charge. If the card is lost or damaged, the fee for issuing a new one is DKK 220 (2023).
Stationary at the office: Register with the Danish municipality (Kommune) to obtain a temporary special yellow card. This is not the standard plastic card issued to Danish citizens or registered residents in Denmark. Go in person to the nearest Kommune office with your employment contract, and a temporary yellow card will be issued on the spot or mailed to your address. Usually, the card’s validity ends with the end of the employment contract and can be extended for another period (determined on a case-by-case basis by the Kommune office).

It is a good idea to ask at the Kommune office for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in case you need medical attention outside Denmark (in case of sudden illness or accident). Recommended insurance period: a minimum of 8 weeks (until Danish insurance starts).

How to fill out an application for a yellow card in Denmark?
Filling out an application for a yellow card in Denmark is essential for becoming a public health care patient and being able to receive medical reimbursement. Here are the steps you need to take:

Gather the required documents: Before filling out the application, make sure you have all the necessary documents, such as your identity document, your CPR (Central Person Register) identification number, proof of employment or other legal basis for residence in Denmark.
Apply in person: You can apply for a yellow card in person at your local migration office (Styrelsen for International Rekruttering og Integration – SIRI) or local municipality (Kommune).
Complete the application form: Fill out the application form with all the required information, such as personal information, address, CPR number, information regarding employment or residence status, etc.
Attach required documents: Attach all required documents that prove your identity, residence status and employment in Denmark before submitting the application.
Submit the application: After completing and signing the application form, submit it in person to the relevant office or by sending it by mail.
Wait for a decision: After submitting your application, await a decision. In most cases, this process takes up to several weeks. If your application is approved, you will receive a yellow card that entitles you to public health care in Denmark.
Pick up your yellow card: If your application is approved, pick up your yellow card in person at the office, following your country’s procedures.

Keep in mind that the yellow card application process may vary depending on your individual situation and the requirements of local authorities. Therefore, it is always a good idea to make sure you have up-to-date information and meet all requirements before applying.

How much does a yellow card cost?
A replacement health insurance card is priced at 225 kroner (as of 2024) in the following instances:

Loss of the current health insurance card
The current health insurance card was issued less than four years ago and is damaged
Desire to switch to a different doctor or health insurance group
Change of name

A replacement health insurance card is provided at no cost under the following circumstances:

The magnetic stripe of the card is malfunctioning, while the rest of the card remains undamaged
The current health insurance card is damaged and was originally issued more than four years ago
A new health insurance card is required due to relocation
Your primary care physician (family doctor) is no longer accessible
You change your surname due to marriage (within the initial three months following the wedding).

Yellow card when you are not a resident in Denmark
If you are not a resident of Denmark, but would like to use Danish health care, the special yellow health card for a foreign address is ideal for you. It gives you the right to use the health care system in Denmark on equal terms as Danish citizens, even if you are not registered in the Danish population register (yellow health card to Danish address). Use this card when visiting a doctor, pharmacy, hospital or other therapists in the health care system in Denmark.

How long is the yellow card valid?
The special health card is valid for a maximum of 2 years, but it can be valid for a shorter period, for example, until the end of the year or the end of the contract. It should be renewed at the earliest one month before expiration. A reminder will be sent by letter or sent to your email inbox (if you have one). The yellow card is also needed to apply for an NEM ID or MitID (digital signature).

An application for an insurance card can only be submitted to Udbetaling Denmark after the Danish CPR number has been received from SKAT (the tax authority). From the time of application, Udbetaling Denmark has up to 8 weeks to issue the card, but usually the time is shorter.

Application for the Særlige Sundhedskort special card

The Special Health Insurance Card, also known as Særlige sundhedskort (formerly known as det gule sygesikringsbevis), is granted to people who are employed in Denmark, but who live in another country. This allows them to receive health care services under the same conditions as Danish residents, despite their lack of residency in Denmark. The Special Health Insurance Card is valid for a maximum of two years. Sundhedskort is granted to Danish residents who have a CPR number and a local address. It confirms that you have health insurance and allows free access to health care services. You must carry it with you (either digitally on your phone or as a physical card) and present it at health care facilities such as dental offices, psychological offices, family doctors, etc.

To apply for a Særlige Sundhedskort (Special Health Card) in Denmark, follow the steps below:

Gather the required documents: Before starting the process, gather all necessary documents, such as your identity document, proof of employment in Denmark or other legal basis of residence, and any other documents required by the responsible authorities.
Obtain an application form: The application for the Særlige Sundhedskort card can be obtained online at the Udbetaling Danmark website or in person at their office.
Complete the application form: Fill out the application form with all the necessary information, such as personal information, CPR (Central Person Register) number, information regarding employment or residence status in Denmark, etc.
Attach the required documents: Before submitting the application, make sure to attach all the required documents that prove your identity, residence status and employment in Denmark.
Submit your application: After completing the application form and attaching all required documents, submit your application in person at the Udbetaling Danmark office or submit it electronically, if this option is available.
Wait for a decision: After submitting your application, wait for a decision. The application process may take some time, usually several weeks.
Receive your Særlige Sundhedskort card: If your application is approved, you will receive your Særlige Sundhedskort card, which entitles you to receive health care in Denmark on the same basis as Danish citizens.

Keep in mind that the application process for a Særlige Sundhedskort card may vary depending on your individual situation and the requirements of local authorities. Therefore, it is always a good idea to make sure you have up-to-date information and meet all requirements before applying.

Having a særlige sundhedskort card is essential for anyone working in Denmark who is not registered there. It is also important for employees working in Denmark who travel to Poland. When a person working in Denmark is enrolled in the municipality’s population registry, their special insurance card is replaced by the standard yellow insurance card, or det almindelige gule sundhedskort.

The issuance of a special insurance card is free of charge and is done upon application by the person concerned through Udbetaling Danmark. The applicant must attach relevant documents proving income in Denmark, such as an employment contract or a certificate of receipt of an income replacement benefit, depending on the situation. Individuals posted to work in Denmark must provide additional documents. You can apply electronically via Digital Post if you have a NemID. You usually receive a card after a 2-3 week wait.

Særlige sundhedskort can also be used by seafarers working on Danish-flagged ships and family members of those employed and living in Denmark. However, people whose family members work in Denmark but are residents of another EEA country cannot get the card.

Health insurance card app

The health insurance card application serves as a digital counterpart to the physical card.

The Danish health insurance card application, known as the „sundhedskort-app,” offers an optional digital rendition of the traditional plastic health insurance card.

It serves as valid proof of an individual’s entitlement to healthcare services in Denmark, on par with the physical health insurance card. However, since the app complements rather than replaces the physical card, it’s advisable to retain the physical health insurance card.

Given that the app is integrated into Denmark’s National Health Insurance Programme, its validity extends solely within Denmark’s borders.

The sundhedskort-app, known as the Danish health insurance card app, is an optional digital addition to the country’s national health insurance card. It serves as legitimate proof of a resident’s entitlement to healthcare services in Denmark, equivalent to the physical health insurance card, and can be used in all situations just like the physical card.

App functionalities
The features of the app include:

Automatic updating of information from the digital health insurance card, such as name and address, ensuring users always have access to current data. This feature remains active even during the period between centralized updates and the issuance of new physical cards.
Parents with custody automatically receive their children’s health insurance cards on the app until the child reaches 15 years old. This eliminates the need for additional physical cards, streamlining logistics in family life.
The app can be installed on up to three devices. If the same card is registered on a fourth device, it is automatically removed from the first device where it was originally created.
In case of a lost phone, the health insurance card app can be reset through the common public portal in Denmark (borger.dk) to prevent unauthorized access to the app.

Through a joint initiative by the Danish Agency for Digital Government and the National Centre for Organ Donation (Danish: Dansk Center for Organdonation), new users are presented with a single opportunity to opt-in as an organ donor. This led to an increase in new organ donors within the first month of the app’s launch, equivalent to the total for an entire year prior.

App eligibility
The health insurance card app is accessible to individuals who meet the following criteria:

Residence registered in Denmark
Possession of a Danish digital authentication ID (MitID)