Denmark Emergency Numbers: 112 vs 1813 — Which Do You Call?

One of the most practical things to understand when you arrive in Denmark is how the emergency healthcare system works — specifically, which number to call and where to go depending on how urgent the situation is. Using the wrong route (going to A&E for something that should be handled by the medical helpline, or calling 1813 for something that needs an ambulance) wastes time and strains resources.

Here is the hierarchy, clearly explained.

112: Life-Threatening Emergencies Only

Call 112 when someone's life is at risk or when the situation requires immediate emergency services — ambulance, fire brigade, or police. Examples:

• Cardiac arrest or suspected heart attack
• Stroke (sudden face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
• Severe breathing difficulties
• Serious accident or trauma
• Unconsciousness
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Active fire or serious safety emergency

112 is free from any phone, including mobile phones with no SIM or credit. The operator will ask about the situation and dispatch the appropriate service. Speak clearly, give your location first, and answer the operator's questions — they stay on the line and can provide basic instructions while help is on the way.

The call is answered in Danish, but if you do not speak Danish, say "English" immediately and the operator will either switch or connect you to an English-speaking handler.

Ambulance response time: In Copenhagen, average response time for life-threatening calls is under 5 minutes. In rural areas, response can take longer — in remote areas of Jutland, up to 15 to 20 minutes.

1813: Urgent but Not Life-Threatening (Capital Region)

In the Capital Region of Denmark (Copenhagen and surrounding area), 1813 is the medical helpline for urgent issues that are not immediately life-threatening but cannot wait until your GP opens.

Call 1813 when:

• You are in significant pain and cannot get a same-day GP appointment
• You have a high fever and are concerned about your condition
• You have a suspected infection (UTI, skin infection, etc.) that needs rapid assessment
• You have an injury that may need treatment but you are not sure if it requires A&E
• Your child is ill and you are unsure of the severity
• You need urgent medical advice outside normal GP hours (evenings, weekends, holidays)

When you call 1813, a trained healthcare professional (nurse or doctor) assesses your situation. They will either:

• Give you advice and manage your case over the phone
• Prescribe medication remotely if appropriate
• Direct you to an acute clinic (akutklinik) for in-person assessment
• Determine you need hospital A&E and direct you accordingly

1813 is not for administration questions (booking GP appointments, prescription renewals, certificates). Use your GP's own phone line for those.

Cost: Free for Group 1 registered patients (the standard registration for Danish residents). You do not pay for calling 1813 or for any consultation resulting from the call.

In other regions of Denmark: Each of the five regions has its own equivalent to 1813. The number and service setup varies slightly by region. Check your region's health website for the correct number:

Skadestue (Accident and Emergency): When to Go Directly

The skadestue is the Danish equivalent of a hospital A&E department. Go directly to the skadestue (without calling first) when:

• You have a physical injury that requires assessment — suspected fracture, deep laceration, eye injury, burn
• You have taken a substance or medication you are concerned about (also call 1813 or Giftlinjen at 82 12 12 12 for poisoning advice)
• You have a condition that worsens rapidly and you cannot reach 1813 or cannot wait for a callback

In Copenhagen, the major hospitals with 24-hour A&E departments include:

• Rigshospitalet (national hospital, Blegdamsvej)
• Bispebjerg Hospital (major Copenhagen A&E)
• Hvidovre Hospital (serves western and southern Copenhagen)
• Herlev Hospital (serves northern Copenhagen suburbs)
• Amager Hospital (serves Amager and Islands Brygge, 24h acute)

For injuries, you may be directed to a specific injury clinic (skadeklinik) rather than the main A&E — these handle non-life-threatening injuries faster. Skadeklinics are open during the day and are faster than A&E for straightforward injuries.

What to Bring to Hospital

Bring your yellow health card (sundhedskort) or know your CPR number. If your card has not arrived yet (common for newly registered residents), your CPR number is sufficient. Hospital staff can look up your details in the system.

You do not bring cash to a Danish hospital for emergency or A&E treatment. Treatment is free. Even if you are admitted for days or weeks, you are not billed.

The only situation where you might pay something at hospital is for a small prescription co-payment at the hospital pharmacy if you are given medication to take home — this is typically a small amount (DKK 0 to 150 depending on the drug and your annual drug expenditure status).

If You Do Not Have a CPR Number Yet

If you are newly arrived and do not yet have a CPR number, you are still entitled to medically necessary treatment at any Danish hospital. Bring your passport. Treatment will be provided and billing — if any — will be handled based on your nationality and insurance status:

• EU/EEA citizens with EHIC: Your EHIC covers medically necessary treatment on the same terms as Danish residents. Present it at the hospital.
• Non-EU visitors without CPR: You will be treated but may be billed. Private travel insurance is essential in this period.
• Non-EU workers awaiting CPR: Your employer's HR department should advise. Some employers have interim arrangements; private health insurance to bridge the gap is recommended.

Giftlinjen: Poisoning Advice

If someone has swallowed a potentially dangerous substance — medication, cleaning product, plant, alcohol in a child — call Giftlinjen (Poison Control) at 82 12 12 12. This line operates 24 hours a day and is staffed by toxicologists. They advise on whether the situation requires A&E attendance or can be managed at home.

For a child who has swallowed something unknown, call Giftlinjen before going to A&E — their advice can often prevent unnecessary A&E visits and ensure you go to the right place if you do need to attend.

Practical Summary

Save 112, 1813, and Giftlinjen in your phone on the day you arrive. You want these available immediately if something happens, not searched for under stress.