Mental health support for British nationals in Denmark
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Denmark.
Read guidance on mental health abroad for broader advice on mental health issues while travelling or living abroad.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention. If there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, call 112. Emergency operators can provide assistance in English.
If you need urgent mental health support but the situation is not life-threatening, call the regional out-of-hours medical service. In the Capital Region of Denmark (including Copenhagen), this is 1813, available 24 hours a day. A healthcare professional will assess your situation and arrange appropriate support, which may include referral to emergency psychiatric services.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, explain clearly how you are feeling and any immediate concerns for your safety or the safety of others.
See Life in Denmark emergencies and Denmark doctors and medical facilities.
Most medical or emergency services staff speak English, but you may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines into Denmark
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and Denmark-specific healthcare information: Healthcare for UK nationals living in Denmark.
Accessing medicines in Denmark
If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Denmark is extended for any reason.
If you run out of prescription medication while in Denmark, contact a local GP or pharmacy (apotek) for advice. Use Find a pharmacy. Pharmacies cannot usually issue repeat prescriptions, but they can help you identify local doctors and advise on the availability of your medication. Bringing a copy of your prescription or details of your medication can help healthcare professionals provide an equivalent treatment if available.
If your medication is essential and you are at risk of running out, seek medical advice as soon as possible rather than waiting until your supply has been exhausted.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are available in Denmark.
Inpatient care
Mental health inpatient care is available in Denmark through regional psychiatric hospitals and specialist mental health services.
In the Capital Region of Denmark, you can attend an acute psychiatric admissions centre without an appointment if you need immediate mental health support. Healthcare professionals will assess your needs and decide whether hospital admission or alternative treatment is appropriate.
To help healthcare professionals provide appropriate treatment, you may be asked to provide details of your medical history, current medication and previous mental health treatment.
Information about psychiatric services in your area is available through the regional health authorities and on the national healthcare portal sundhed.dk. These websites provide information about emergency psychiatric services, outpatient treatment and hospital admissions.
Involuntary admission and detention
People experiencing a severe mental health crisis may be admitted to hospital and treated without their consent if the legal criteria under Danish law are met. This is broadly comparable to being ‘sectioned’ under UK mental health legislation, although the legal framework and procedures differ. Further information is available from the Danish Health Authority.
UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Patient adviser
A patient subjected to specific compulsory measures must be allocated a patient adviser (patientrådgiver). The adviser supports the patient in understanding the measure, exercising complaint rights and requesting a review. The adviser is not a substitute for a lawyer.
Outpatient treatment
You may also be able to access outpatient care in Denmark.
Treatment outside of hospital
Mental health care, including non-urgent treatment, is available in Denmark outside hospital through GPs, regional psychiatric services, community/social psychiatry and support organisations. See Life in Denmark healthcare.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Denmark without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
You may be entitled to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Denmark. Check entitlement and coverage before receiving care. See Healthcare for UK nationals living in Denmark.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance or GHIC.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Denmark for advice. Use the general GOV.UK professional services page if needed: Professional services if you are abroad.
Support from agencies and organisations in Denmark
Contact these organisations in Denmark for mental health support and advice:
Most support services in Denmark answer calls in Danish initially. If this happens, stay on the line and explain that you speak English. Many services can provide support in English or arrange for an English-speaking colleague to assist.
Mental health support in Denmark
Livslinien (Suicide Prevention Helpline) provides confidential support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional crisis. English-speaking support may be available.
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Telephone: +45 70 201 201
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Opening hours: Daily, 11:00 to 05:00
Psykiatrifonden (Psychiatry Foundation) offers advice and support for a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression and stress.
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Telephone: +45 39 25 25 25
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Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to 22:00; Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00
SIND (Danish Association for Mental Health) provides peer support and advice through people with lived experience of mental health challenges.
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Telephone: +45 70 23 27 50
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Opening hours: Weekdays, 11:00 to 17:00
Psychiatric emergency services
If telephone support is not sufficient and you require urgent mental health assessment, you can attend a psychiatric emergency department (Psykiatrisk Akutmodtagelse). Calling 1813 or the regional out-of-hours service before attending is recommended. These services provide emergency mental health assessment and treatment by specialist staff.
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.