World Country Guide

Note
Diabetic diets are catered for at many restaurants. See Food & Drink in the Social Profile section.

Health care
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality. Please note that Swiss nationals and people who do not have UK, EU or EEA nationality are not covered by the EHIC in Denmark.
Medical facilities in Denmark are excellent. The telephone number for emergencies is 112. Local tourist offices will tell visitors where to contact a doctor or dentist. Copenhagen has an emergency dental service outside office hours; fees are paid in cash. Consultations are covered. Ask if they are registered with the Danish Public Health Service. Travellers will be charged, but can claim back the full amount of the doctor's consultation and part of their dental costs.
Only medicine prescribed by Danish or other Scandinavian doctors can be dispensed at a chemist (Apotek). Many medicines that can be bought over the counter in the UK can only be obtained with prescriptions in Denmark.
Travellers will be charged for their prescriptions. Refund rates for approved medicines vary. There are no refunds of expenditure under DKK 520 for persons over 18 (for children, 50 per cent is refunded).
In addition to the free emergency treatment at hospitals and casualty departments allowed to all foreign visitors, free hospital treatment can normally be arranged by a doctor, but if you can't see one, show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the hospital authorities and ask them to arrange free treatment for you.
The local council (Kommunens Social og Sundhedsforvaltning) handles reimbursements. Travellers who show their EHIC will be given a special card to register their prescription purchases on their first visit to a pharmacy. If not, travellers should keep all their prescriptions and original receipts and apply for a refund to the local council. before leaving Denmark.