Pregnancy and Maternity in Denmark as an Expat

Denmark's maternity and parental system is one of the most comprehensive in the world — long parental leave, high-quality free antenatal care, and a healthcare system where midwives (jordemoedre) play a central role. For expat parents, understanding how to navigate it is important from the moment you discover you are pregnant.

Antenatal Care: What Is Free

All antenatal care (svangreomsorg) is free through the public system for women registered as residents in Denmark with a CPR number. Coverage begins immediately — there is no waiting period once you have CPR.

What is included at no cost:

• First consultation — typically 6 to 10 weeks, usually with your GP who confirms the pregnancy and refers you to a midwife
• Midwife consultations — the main ongoing antenatal contact, typically 5 to 7 scheduled appointments throughout the pregnancy
• Ultrasound scans — the standard programme includes a 12-week dating scan (with nuchal translucency measurement for Down syndrome screening) and an 18 to 20-week anomaly scan; both are free and performed at hospital
• Blood tests — full antenatal blood panel, screening for conditions including gestational diabetes, anaemia, and infections
• Birth preparation classes — typically offered through your hospital or midwife team

Optional additional screening (NIPT — non-invasive prenatal testing for chromosomal conditions) is available for a fee of approximately DKK 5,000 to 7,000 if not medically indicated. It is offered free if your risk is assessed as elevated at the 12-week scan.

The Jordemoder (Midwife)

The midwife (jordemoder) is the central figure in Danish antenatal care and delivery. Unlike many other countries, Denmark's maternity system is midwife-led for low-risk pregnancies. Obstetricians (speciallæger i gynækologi og obstetrik) are involved for high-risk pregnancies, complications, and certain interventions.

Your midwife team is assigned by the hospital covering your address. In Copenhagen, this is typically one of the major maternity hospitals — Rigshospitalet, Hvidovre Hospital, Herlev Hospital, or Bispebjerg Hospital depending on your postcode.

Your midwife consultations take place at the hospital's maternity outpatient clinic or sometimes at a local health centre. All midwives employed in the public system speak Danish, but many — particularly in Copenhagen — also speak English or work with an interpreter service for languages they do not speak.

If you do not speak Danish, tell your midwife team early. Interpretation services are available for most consultations and for the birth itself. Request this in advance — the system accommodates it but requires planning.

Where to Give Birth

You have choices about where to deliver:

Hospital birth (fødestue or delivery ward): The standard option. All hospitals with maternity units are equipped for all types of births, including emergency interventions. Epidurals, Caesarean sections, and all interventions are available.

Birthing centres (fødeklinik): Available at some hospitals — a more home-like environment within the hospital setting, typically used for low-risk births. Epidurals are not available in birthing centres but transfer to the main delivery ward is possible if needed.

Home birth (hjemmefødsel): Available for low-risk pregnancies through the public system in some regions. The Capital Region offers home birth support with a midwife. Ask your midwife team about availability and criteria.

You do not choose your hospital — it is assigned based on where you live. You can apply for transfer to a different hospital, but places are limited.

Parental Leave: How It Works for Expats

Denmark's parental leave (barsel) system is generous and applies broadly to employed people in Denmark — including expats. The key rules as of 2026 (following the 2022 reform to comply with EU parental leave directives):

Total leave: 52 weeks of leave can be taken in total between both parents (in addition to pregnancy-related leave before birth).

Pre-birth leave (before delivery): The mother can take 4 weeks of leave immediately before the expected due date as pregnancy leave (graviditetsorlov).

After birth:

• Mother: 14 weeks of maternity leave (barselsorlov) — cannot be transferred to the other parent
• The other parent: 2 weeks of parental leave immediately after birth (fædreorlov/forældreolov)
• Remaining weeks: divided between parents, some weeks are "earmarked" for each parent (non-transferable), some can be shared

Payment (barselsdagpenge): During parental leave, eligible parents receive a daily benefit (barselsdagpenge) from the state. The rate is calculated based on your income. The maximum daily rate in 2026 is approximately DKK 4,405/week (adjusted annually).

Many employers top up the state benefit to full salary for all or part of parental leave. Check your employment contract — this is a common employment benefit in Denmark.

Qualifying for Barselsdagpenge as an Expat

To receive Danish parental leave payments, you must:

• Have a CPR number and be registered as resident in Denmark
• Have been employed (or self-employed) in Denmark and paid Danish tax for a minimum period before the leave starts
• Have worked at least 160 hours in the 4 months before leave begins (or meet an equivalent criterion)

EU/EEA citizens: Generally qualify on the same basis as Danish citizens once they are working and paying taxes in Denmark.

Non-EU citizens on work permits: Generally qualify if you have been employed and tax-registered in Denmark. The key requirement is that your income has been subject to Danish tax. Some permit types have specific conditions — check with Udbetaling Danmark (the authority that pays barselsdagpenge) if you are uncertain.

Short-tenure workers: If you have been in Denmark for less than a year when you go on leave, you may not meet the minimum hours requirement. Contact Udbetaling Danmark in advance to check your specific situation.

Registering Your Baby

After your baby is born:

1. The hospital registers the birth automatically — you do not need to go anywhere immediately. You will be asked to confirm the baby's name and parents' details while still at the hospital.
2. CPR number for the baby: Issued automatically once the birth is registered, typically within a few days. You receive it by post.
3. Child's health card (sundhedskort): Issued automatically once the CPR number is assigned.
4. Register with a GP: If your GP practice also sees children, you can register your baby there. Some practices have a children's health specialist (børnelæge) or refer to a paediatrician for the early check-ups.
5. Municipal health visitor (sundhedsplejerske): After birth, your municipality automatically sends a health visitor to your home. This is free, runs until your child is around school age, and covers routine child development checks, breastfeeding support, and general parental guidance. This service is available in English in most urban municipalities if you request it.

If your baby is born to parents of different nationalities, you may also need to register the birth with your country's embassy for citizenship and passport purposes. Check your own country's requirements.

Private Maternity Options

For those who prefer it, private maternity care is available:

Rigshospitalet Private: Copenhagen's national hospital has a private maternity unit. Costs for a planned birth in the private unit (including antenatal care) run from approximately DKK 20,000 to 50,000 depending on services chosen.

Private obstetric practice: Private obstetricians and midwives offer antenatal care and birth support at additional cost. Some expat parents use a private midwife for additional consultations in English while still delivering in the public system.

These are supplements to, not replacements for, the excellent free public care. The majority of expat parents in Denmark use the public system entirely and find it to be genuinely good.