X-Ray Cost in Denmark
What you actually pay under the sundhedskort and at private hospitals. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Denmark runs a single-payer tax-funded system administered by 5 regions. Every resident with a CPR number receives a yellow sundhedskort (health insurance card) and picks between Group 1 (GP-gatekeeper model — free care) or Group 2 (direct specialist access — small co-pays). The vast majority choose Group 1. Public X-rays — referred by a GP — are free. At private hospitals (Capio, Aleris), self-pay is around DKK 950 per standard X-ray, often covered by employer-provided private insurance.
🏥 Group 1 Sundhedskort
- Default group for all registered residents
- GP is gatekeeper — referral required for imaging
- No per-visit fees for covered care
- Wait times can be weeks for non-urgent
🏥 Private — Capio / Aleris
- Capio Privathospital flat price per X-ray view
- Same price across chest, limb, spine, abdomen
- Same-day or next-day access
- Employer-paid private insurance often covers this
📋 Group 2 sundhedskort
- Direct specialist access without GP referral
- Small portion of specialist fee paid by patient
- Uncommon — most Danes pick Group 1
- Can switch groups once per year
Private X-Ray Prices at Capio Privathospital
Danish private hospitals publish prisliste pages. Capio Privathospital uses a simple flat fee of DKK 950 per X-ray view across most body regions, with a small uplift for "feature recordings" (multi-view or additional angles).
| X-Ray Service | Price (DKK) | Public Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Heart and lungs (chest) | 950 | Free with Group 1 + GP referral |
| Hand / forearm / elbow / foot / lower leg / knee | 950 | Free with Group 1 + GP referral |
| Shoulder / upper arm / hip / femur / standing knee / skull | 950 | Free with Group 1 + GP referral |
| Cervical / thoracic / lumbar spine / sacrum / pelvis | 950 | Free with Group 1 + GP referral |
| Feature / multi-view surcharge | +430 | — |
| Private GP visit (Læger Danmark) | 700–1,500 | Free on Group 1 sundhedskort |
Sample source: Capio Privathospital published prisliste (April 2026). Aleris and other private providers are similarly priced. Includes 5% statutory patient insurance fee.
How Danish Public Coverage Works
Who is covered
- All residents with a CPR number — automatic sundhedskort
- Funded through income tax (national + municipal)
- No separate earmarked health contribution or premium
- EU/EEA/Swiss visitors with EHIC
- Children automatically covered via parents' registration
What it costs
- Group 1 (default): free GP / specialist / hospital care
- Group 2: direct specialist access with small co-pay
- Dental (adults): paid out of pocket with subsidy
- Prescription drugs: paid with reimbursement after annual threshold
- Private insurance (sundhedsforsikring): common as employer benefit
How to get an X-ray
- See your GP (alment praktiserende læge)
- GP issues an electronic referral (henvisning)
- Book at hospital radiology or regional imaging service
- Bring your sundhedskort
- For speed: private self-pay (DKK 950) or use sundhedsforsikring
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Public / University Hospitals
- Rigshospitalet — Copenhagen
- Bispebjerg Hospital — Copenhagen
- Aarhus University Hospital
- Odense University Hospital
- Aalborg University Hospital
- Regional hospitals across all 5 regions
🏥 Private Hospitals
- Capio Privathospital — multiple locations
- Aleris — Copenhagen, Aarhus, Herning
- Privathospitalet Mølholm — Jutland
- Læger Danmark (Doctors in Denmark) — private GP network with imaging
- Frederiksstadens Røntgen- og Ultralydsklinik — Copenhagen
💡 Practical tips
- Nearly all Danes stick with Group 1 — free and well-functioning
- Check if your employer offers sundhedsforsikring — covers private hospital imaging
- Dental imaging: handled at the dental office (private market)
- Digital imaging via sundhed.dk portal
Guide by Patient Type
🇩🇰 Danish residents
- Default Group 1: free X-rays with GP referral
- Private DKK 950 when public waits are long
- Check for sundhedsforsikring from employer — often covers private
- Kids and adolescents fully covered
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss visitors
- EHIC treats you like a Danish insured patient
- Medically necessary imaging covered
- Present EHIC + passport at the facility
- Planned medical tourism not EHIC-covered — self-pay
✈️ Non-EU visitors
- Emergency care always provided
- Non-emergency: private DKK 950 or hospital self-pay rates
- Travel health insurance strongly recommended
- Long-term residents register for CPR → automatic sundhedskort
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Sundhedskort (yellow card) or CPR number
- Passport if visitor / EHIC
- GP referral (henvisning) — usually electronic
- Prior imaging via sundhed.dk portal
- Card for private fees
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Public routine: days to a few weeks
- Private self-pay: same day or next day
- Results: 1–3 working days via sundhed.dk
💡 How to save money
- Stay in Group 1 — it's the free default
- Ask your employer about sundhedsforsikring for private access
- Public system works well; private is for speed, not necessity
- Use sundhed.dk to coordinate visits and access images
FAQ
Is an X-ray free in Denmark?
Yes, for Group 1 sundhedskort holders (the default for all registered residents) with a GP referral. No per-visit fee at public hospitals. Private hospitals charge roughly DKK 950 per X-ray.
What's the difference between Group 1 and Group 2?
Group 1 = default. GP is gatekeeper; free access with referral. Group 2 = direct specialist access without GP referral, but with a small co-pay for certain specialist visits. You can switch once per year.
What is sundhedsforsikring?
Private health insurance commonly provided as an employer benefit. Covers private hospital care (including X-rays) to bypass public wait times. Roughly two in five Danish employees have this benefit.
Do I pay for the GP visit that refers me?
No. Group 1 GP visits are free. You only pay for private care, prescriptions (after threshold), or Group 2 specialist visits. The public system is fully tax-funded.
Can I use EHIC in Denmark?
Yes. Medically necessary care is covered on the same terms as Danish insured patients. Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered — expect private rates.
How long does a public X-ray take?
Routine outpatient imaging is typically 1–3 weeks after GP referral. Emergencies are imaged immediately. Regional hospital systems publish target wait times on sundhed.dk.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- Capio Privathospital — published prisliste for diagnostic imaging
- Lifeindenmark.borger.dk — healthcare and sundhedskort
- Regions / sundhed.dk — public service delivery and wait times
- Doctors in Denmark (Læger Danmark) — private GP pricing
Last reviewed: April 2026. Prices and group rules change — confirm with provider.