Health insurance: what do you need to travel to Denmark?

Citizens of countries who have enjoyed visa-free entry into Denmark will require an ETIAS visa to visit the country as of November 2023. Visiting Denmark is an experience like no other, with its unique culture, dykes, and interesting history. The ETIAS application is done completely online where the ETIAS requirements are outlined for ease of use.

When considering travel to Denmark and the requirements and prerequisites, the question arises, do you need insurance in Denmark?

Travel is exciting. It can also be unpredictable. What you do not need is to be alone in a foreign country without some means of support in the case of an unforeseen occurrence or when faced with an emergency. This is where travel insurance brings peace of mind with added protection when your holiday or trip abroad fails to follow the script and things go awry.

Disasters can prove to be especially poignant for solo travelers who have no one to rely on when the going gets tough. Stranded in a strange land with no one on hand to help navigate the murky waters can be a desolate and unnerving place to be.

Is travel insurance a requirement for Denmark?

Those visitors who need a Schengen visa to enter Denmark must have Travel insurance in place. Insurance in Denmark is a mandatory requirement to be granted a Schengen visa. Those travelers who can travel to the European country visa-free are strongly urged to take out travel insurance even though this is optional and not a prerequisite for entry.

To qualify for a Schengen visa to visit Denmark, the following insurance cover must be in place and the required criteria met:

• At least €30,000 cover for medical expenses
• Coverage in place for all member states of the Schengen Area
• Expenses related to repatriation for medical reasons must be covered

Insurance in Denmark

The medical care in Denmark is of a high quality equal to that of medical care throughout Western Europe. Hospitals are well-equipped and staffed and all fields are represented by specialists, while diagnostic laboratories are conveniently available. English speaking doctors and dentists are to be found in the country to a greater or lesser extent.

This begs the question then, do you need insurance in Denmark? The Danish National Health Service provides free hospitalization and medical treatment for permanent residents of Denmark and Danish citizens. To qualify however for medical treatment and hospital care under the Danish National Health Service, patients must be referred by a general practitioner. Waiting periods often prove to be lengthy in this cases which can be avoided by visiting private suppliers of medical and hospital care. The Danish National Health Service care and services are only available to locals, though, and tourists do not benefit here unless treatment is needed for an emergency situation. Pre-existing conditions leading up to an emergency case will however be for the tourist’s account.

Tourists in Denmark can expect to find most medicines locally available, albeit under different brand names to their home country. It is a good idea to bring your medicines with you to Denmark since this will be the most cost-effective option, generally speaking. When crossing borders with medication in your possessions, be sure that it is in its original container, together with a copy of the prescription and a statement from the prescribing doctor. Danish Customs will intercept any medication mailed to Denmark and either release it to the recipient or destroy it if it is prohibited in the European Union.

Be sure to have the contact details for Emergency Medical Services and the nearest medical establishment, general practitioners in your area, and service providers readily available on hand should you need them. Copenhagen Private Doctors provide 24-hour service in your home, hotel, or workplace for added peace of mind.

When deciding on insurance in Denmark, bear these factors in mind:

Make certain that the policy covers your specific and individual needs

• Sufficient cover for the country you will be visiting. Factors to consider are the costs of medical services, medication, and care as well as currency exchange rates.
• Age plays a role since travel insurance is usually more costly for travelers over 65. Older travelers may have to source specialty policies catering to their age group.
• Frequency of travel is a factor since those who find themselves abroad a few times in a year might benefit from an annual travel policy instead of taking out a policy for every trip.
• Travel means differ and so do their insurance requirements. Cruises and budget airlines might not enjoy cover under certain travel insurance policies.
• Activities and interests come into play for Denmark insurance because hazardous pastimes, winter sports, and dangerous sports are excluded on standard travel policies. Such activities as skiing and scuba diving can be specifically requested at an additional premium, however.
• Package holidays or solo travelers require different approaches. Package holidays will typically come with more protection and cover for eventualities related to transport or accommodation which will do away with the need for insurance coverage.

Compare apples with apples

Assess policies on cover and cost but bear in mind that cover differs from policy to policy. The cover might seem cheaper at first glance, but the more expensive policy might include higher limits and more risks. You do not have to pay for the cover you don’t need, on certain policies. Denmark insurance may be mandatory for travelers but that does not mean you should pay for cover you will probably never need.

Travel insurance is necessary

Travel insurance in Denmark covers the policyholder for the following eventualities and risks:

• Lost or stolen, or damage to items such as baggage, travel documents, passports, and cash;
• cutting short or canceling the trip when the circumstances are out of your control;
• missed transport or delayed departure when the circumstances are out of your control;
• medical and other emergencies;
• personal injury and death;
• accidental damage or injury for which you can be held liable.

Where and how to get travel insurance?

Travel insurance is conveniently available and can be accessed from:

• travel agents
• insurance companies
• banks
• retailers
• supermarkets
• websites that compare rates and cover
• holiday companies

Travel insurance is often included when you pay for your flights or travel with a credit card. Certain bank accounts will also provide travel cover. This coverage might however be too limited, and you would do well to check before relying on this as the best option for you and yours rather than any stand-alone policy. Limited coverage is supplied by some credit cards but cover for cancellations and interruptions will likely be restricted if you are lucky enough to be covered at all, and annual limits will apply. Medical expenses and emergency evacuations are seldom covered by credit card insurance cover.

Travel agents often offer insurance when you buy a package holiday. You cannot be coerced into taking this cover, though, and you are free to look into taking out your own travel policy.

Travel insurance policy covers

Travel insurance should always include the following cover:

• Injury or sickness

Covers medical expenses abroad not covered by standard health insurance cover. Injury/sickness cover supplements any everyday health insurance for medical costs if you fall sick or sustain an injury before or while on holiday.

• Lost luggage

Expenses resulting from lost or stolen luggage can accumulate and you don’t want to be stuck without necessities while you are in a foreign country. While you can claim from some airlines if they lose your bags, there is a fair amount of legwork and bureaucracy involved in substantiating your loss. It could take way too long for reimbursement to be forthcoming, too.

• Last-minute cancellations

Unforeseen circumstances come up and because, by their very nature, you cannot see them coming, you need to have some kind of insurance to cover the resulting costs. If you cancel your trip with a sufficient notice period, you can expect that the majority of cruise lines or resorts will not fully refund you. Cancellation fees will also be applied by many resorts and some cruise lines might refund only 25% or pass a partial credit for another cruise.

• Emergency Medical Expenses

Emergency medical insurance reimburses you for medical expenses resulting from any unexpected injury or sickness while abroad, including expenses as a result of contracting COVID-19.

• Emergency Medical Evacuation and/or Repatriation

Medical repatriation or evacuation when critically ill or injured, with prior approval, to the nearest suitable hospital when local care is not available. Evacuation or repatriation following an insured risk is carried out by air or ground ambulance, helicopter, sea-level aircraft, commercial airline upgrade, and commercial airline with medical accompaniment.

• Repatriation of Mortal Remains

This covers the costs for the transportation of the insured person’s bodily remains to the location of their principal residence, following death by an insured illness or injury. Benefits also include the coffin/container for the repatriation, transport of remains to medical facilities, coroner, and airport, and air and ground shipping expenses. Costs are also covered for coordination with local authorities regarding the post-mortem examination and with government agents for arranging services, authorizations, and approvals for transport.

• Dental Expenses

Cover varies according to each plan and insurer but usually travel dental insurance covers emergencies for natural teeth. Medical coverage on comprehensive or travel medical plans typically include travel dental benefits.

• Loss of Travel Documents

Certain travel insurance policies include benefits that cover missing passports, travel documents, credit cards and cash. This cover does come with very stringent conditions, as a norm. Cover under the theft or damage to baggage and personal items benefit covers any reasonable costs to replace a passport as a result of accidental damage, theft, or permanent loss of the passport while abroad. Costs are covered to replace travel documents such as a visa that are lost, stolen or damaged while on your person. Costs resulting from the fraudulent use of the documents by a third party are also covered.

Standard Exclusions on a Travel insurance policy

Every insurance policy will have specific exclusions which means these risks or eventualities are not covered by the policy. When considering Denmark insurance, know that the following will be standard exclusions on most travel insurance policies:

• Loss due to pre-existing medical conditions. (Waivers can be bought to cover this).
• Travel costs for the purpose of medical tourism.
• Cancellation cover does not cover no longer wanting to take the trip for personal or financial reasons that are not insured risks. Cancel for any reason cover is available as an optional extra to cover costs associated with canceling a trip before it starts.
• Loss for tours/tickets awarded or won or by redeeming credit card or frequent flier miles.
• Bad weather conditions. Cancel for any reason coverage pays if you cancel your trip before it starts because of bad weather that you decide will hamper a positive experience.
• High risks activities and sports the likes of skydiving, scuba diving, and bungee jumping. Optional add-ons are available to cover these risks.
• Loss due to war, civil disorder, military actions, and riots.
• Loss due to AIDS virus, venereal disease, abortion, or pregnancy but excluding complications of pregnancy.
• Loss due to psychological, mental, or nervous disorders.
• Loss due to nuclear radiation or radioactive contamination.
• Loss while participating in an unlawful act.
• Loss due to intentional bodily harm which would include suicide.
• Loss incurred while legally drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Cost of Cover

The cost of travel insurance fluctuates according to the amount of cover purchased so if you can save by using your existing insurance cover or policies, then you should do that. This is not some form of permission to skimp on the insurance you absolutely must have to travel abroad, though.

United Kingdom residents in possession of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can access healthcare in European Union countries until it expires. If not, apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) on the NHS website to access healthcare in EU countries for free or at a reduced cost. This should never replace travel insurance altogether, however.

Home contents insurance on your household insurance policy might cover your belongings when removed from home. If so, reduce the premium on your Denmark insurance travel policy by opting for a higher excess.

Before traveling, take all the risks into account that you might have associated with your trip before deciding on the cover to purchase for insurance in Denmark.