Types of insurance

• Mandatory private insurance

  In Denmark most types of insurance are voluntary, but three types are mandatory by law:

  • Liability insurance, if you own a motor vehicle
  • Dog insurance, if you own a dog
  • Insurance against fire, if you own real estate.

  It is also recommended to have accident and home insurance

  Read more about mandatory insurance on Life in Denmark's website
• Health insurance

  The Danish health service is based on the principle of equal access to health services for all citizens. Denmark has a comprehensive public health care system, including doctors, medical specialists, hospitals, health service, home care, health visitor services, paediatric dental care, and more. Most of the health services are free of charge if you have a Danish CPR number.

  Please note, that even though anyone staying in Denmark is entitled to hospital assistance in the event of accidents or sudden illness, it might be a good idea for you to ensure that you are covered sufficiently from the time of your arrival in Denmark until you receive your CPR number. Please remember to contact your current insurance company to check your current property, liability and accident insurance policies' cover when you live and work in Denmark.

  Private health insurance

  In Denmark, you can also choose to take out additional private health insurance. Depending on the type of policy, private health insurance can cover visits to private hospital or medical specialists or even reimburse you a proportion of your medical expenses.

  Private health insurance policies are taken out with private insurance companies or Sygesikringen Danmark. Fees vary depending on the insurance company.

  European health insurance card

  To facilitate access to health care for European citizens, the EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have issued a European health insurance card.

  • Find more information about the European health insurance card at ec.europa.eu
  • You can apply for the European health insurance card at lifeindenmark.dk.

  
  
• Insurance at work

  The University of Southern Denmark will offer compensation if negligence by the University or a staff member causes damage to you, but not if it is a matter of unforeseen contingency.

  Please contact SDU's Legal Office for further information at jura@sdu.dk

  
  
• Travel insurance

  Travel for work

  For official travel in connection with your job, e.g. attending a conference abroad, you will be covered by a special travel insurance agreement (in Danish: tjenesterejseforsikring) entered into between the Danish State and Europæiske Rejseforsikring (a private travel insurance company).

  Please contact Rejsekontoret to obtain your travel insurance at rejser@sdu.dk.

  Travel insurance issued by the University of Southern Denmark will only cover you while on official journeys.

  Private travels

  For private travel, you will need to take out a separate, private travel insurance policy yourself. Europæiske Rejseforsikring offers supplementary, private travel insurance with deductions for University of Southern Denmark employees.

  Read more about Europæiske Rejseforsikring at europaeiske.dk.

• Unemployment insurance

  You can take out an unemployment insurance policy from an unemployment insurance fund, known as an 'A-kasse'.

  Unemployment insurance funds are private associations that are associated with trade unions and other professional organisations. Membership of an unemployment insurance fund is voluntary in Denmark, and you are NOT automatically insured against unemployment. It is possible to become a member of an unemployment insurance fund without being a member of the associated trade union.

  You can become a member of an unemployment insurance fund if you:

  • are a least 18 years of age and have more than 2 years left until you reach the age of retirement
  • reside in Denmark (or another EU/EEA country and work in Denmark)

  To be entitled to unemployment benefits, you must have been a member of an unemployment insurance fund for at least one year and you must be able to take work with one day's notice.

  Joining an unemployment insurance fund only makes sense if you are from an EU/EEA country/Switzerland or your right to reside in Denmark extends beyond your letter of appointment and you can start work with one day's notice. If you have a Greencard or an Establishment card, you can become a member of an unemployment insurance fund and earn the right to unemployment benefits.

  If your residence and work permit is based on the Pay Limit scheme, you get an additional 6 months'-residence permit for seeking a new job after your work permit has expired, but because you will need a new work permit before you can start in a new job, you do not meet the condition of being able to start work with one day's notice.

  Please note that there are special rules for cross-border commuters.

  For further information about unemployment insurance, visit Life in Denmark's website.