Safety & Emergency Guide for Denmark

Emergency Numbers and How to Call

Denmark uses 112 for life-threatening emergencies, 114 for non-urgent police, and 1813 for medical advice.

Denmark's primary emergency number is 112, which connects you to fire, ambulance, and police services for any life-threatening situation. According to politi.dk, you should call 112 immediately if there is danger to life, a fire, a serious traffic accident, or any situation requiring immediate response. The number is free to call from any phone, including mobile phones with no SIM credit, and operates 24 hours a day. Operators can usually speak English, so do not hesitate to call even if your Danish is limited. According to studyindenmark.dk, when you call 112 you will be asked which service you need — police, fire brigade, or ambulance — so be ready to state this clearly and give your location.

For non-urgent police matters such as reporting a crime after the fact, losing a document, or making an inquiry, call 114 or visit your local police station. According to politi.dk, 114 is the police service line for matters that do not require an emergency response. The smartraveller.gov.au Denmark guide also confirms that you should call 114 or go to a local police station to report a crime, and you should always request a police report when you do so — this is important for insurance claims. Always keep a record of any police report reference number given to you.

Medical Advice Line: 1813

If you are in the Greater Copenhagen region and need medical advice or treatment that is not life-threatening, call 1813. This is the regional medical helpline (Akuttelefonen) staffed by doctors and nurses 24 hours a day. According to smartraveller.gov.au, if your situation is not life-threatening, call +45 1813 to be referred to a hospital or given medical advice. The 1813 service can also direct you to the nearest out-of-hours GP (lægevagt) or emergency clinic (akutmodtagelse). For regions outside Copenhagen, the equivalent service number may differ; check with your local municipality upon arrival. If you are visiting Denmark, the UK government travel advice for Denmark recommends carrying your travel insurance details at all times in case you need to access private medical care or request repatriation.

• Dial 112 for all life-threatening emergencies — fire, ambulance, or police. The call is free from any phone.
• Dial 114 for non-emergency police matters, to report crimes, or to make non-urgent inquiries.
• Dial 1813 (Greater Copenhagen) for urgent but non-life-threatening medical advice and referrals.
• When calling 112, state your location first. If you don't speak Danish, say 'English please' immediately.
• Register with a local GP (alment praktiserende læge) as soon as you have a CPR number to ensure access to the public health system.
• Carry your travel insurance emergency contact number separately from your insurance documents.
• If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or GHIC), carry it — it gives you rights to public healthcare at the same cost as Danish residents.

The lifeindenmark.borger.dk official portal provides a comprehensive overview of how the Danish emergency system works. In a medical emergency, ambulance crews are dispatched through the 112 system and can provide advanced life support. Hospitals with full 24-hour emergency departments (akutmodtagelse) are located in major cities; in smaller areas, acute clinics (akutklinikker) handle less severe cases. The Danish Red Cross and local fire brigades (beredskab) also operate first-response capabilities. According to brs.dk, the Danish Emergency Management Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen) publishes guidance on what to do when a crisis strikes, including advice on preparing a personal emergency kit. Having a basic plan — knowing your local hospital's address, having emergency contacts saved, and keeping important documents accessible — significantly reduces stress in real emergencies.

Common Scams and Crime Prevention

Nearly half of Danish adults were scammed in the past year; shopping scams, MitID phishing, and phone impersonation are the most prevalent.

Scams are a significant and growing problem in Denmark. According to the State of Scams in Denmark 2025 report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), 48% of Danish adults reported being scammed in the past 12 months, and 67% said they had encountered a scam attempt. The average person in Denmark experiences approximately 110 scam encounters per year — roughly one every three days. The total estimated financial loss to Danish consumers from scams stands at 6.9 billion DKK (approximately US$1 billion) annually. Funds are most commonly transferred to scammers via credit card (26%) and debit card (23%). Shopping scams — fake online shops and fraudulent marketplace listings — are the most common type experienced, affecting 65% of scam victims in the survey.

Most Common Scam Types

• Shopping scams: Fake e-commerce websites and fraudulent listings on legitimate platforms. Scammers collect payment and never deliver goods.
• MitID phishing: Fraudulent messages impersonating banks or government agencies that trick users into entering their MitID credentials on fake sites. MitID is Denmark's digital identity system used for banking and public services.
• Phone impersonation scams: Callers pretend to be from the Danish Immigration Service, police, or banks. According to the Danish Immigration Service warning (2025), scammers can display a phone number identical to the official agency number.
• Rental scams: Particularly common in Copenhagen where housing is scarce. Scammers post fake rental ads and request deposits for properties they do not control.
• Romance scams: Building an online relationship before requesting money, often claiming a personal crisis.
• Investment scams: Promises of high returns on cryptocurrency or financial products that are entirely fraudulent.

The Danish Immigration Service issued a public warning in January 2025 about ongoing phone scams where individuals posing as agency representatives call citizens to obtain personal information, sometimes using the official agency phone number as their displayed caller ID. The warning states: 'Do not trust the displayed phone number. Scammers can manipulate the number that appears on your phone.' If you have not previously contacted the Danish Immigration Service and have no pending case, treat any unexpected call from them with extreme suspicion. If you believe you've been targeted, call the police non-emergency line at 114 and visit sikkerdigital.dk for guidance on next steps (available in Danish).

The GASA 2025 report highlights that 88% of scam attempts in Denmark occur on platforms that have a direct messaging function, with Facebook and Gmail being the top platforms used by scammers. Contrary to the assumption that older people are most at risk, Gen Z (ages 18–28) respondents are actually more likely to fall victim to a scam, tend to lose greater amounts of money, and take longer to realize they have been deceived — with 1 in 4 Gen Z respondents taking longer than a day to recognize a scam attempt. Scammers target younger users particularly through WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. According to the report, the average loss per scam victim in Denmark is 5,731 DKK. Of those who were scammed and reported it to their payment provider, 73% did report the scam, and 40% were able to at least partially recover their money.

To report a scam in Denmark, you can contact the police at 114 or file a report at your local police station. The online fraud reporting portal is accessible through politi.dk. For digital fraud and phishing specifically, politi.dk's online fraud section handles reports about payment card fraud, MitID misuse, and CPR number theft. If you are a foreign national who has been targeted by an immigration-related scam, you can report it through nyidanmark.dk. For housing scams in Copenhagen, kbh-bolig.dk provides specific advice in Danish on identifying and avoiding rental fraud. The thelocal.dk article on rental scams details five common tactics used by fraudulent landlords, including requests for large deposits before any contract is signed, listings priced well below market rate, and landlords who are conveniently 'abroad' and unable to show the property in person.

Safety Information and Security Tips

Denmark is generally safe with low serious crime; pickpocketing in Copenhagen tourist areas and gang activity in specific neighborhoods are the main concerns.

Denmark is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world, and smartraveller.gov.au advises travelers to 'exercise normal safety precautions.' Serious crime is low across the country. However, pickpocketing and bag-snatching are the most commonly experienced crimes affecting visitors and new residents. According to UK government travel advice for Denmark, crime levels are generally low, but pickpockets and bag-snatchers operate in crowded areas, mainly in Copenhagen. They use distraction techniques, particularly on crowded public transport, and also operate in hotel lobbies, cafes, and restaurants. The smartraveller.gov.au guide notes that Denmark's domestic terror threat level is set to 'significant' (level 4 of 5), and the threat of right-wing extremism is rising alongside continued ISIL-inspired extremism. While terrorist attacks are not frequent, the authorities take this threat seriously and maintain security measures at airports and major train stations.

Gang-related crime in Copenhagen is concentrated in specific areas. According to smartraveller.gov.au, there have been incidents of gang-related crime in Copenhagen, especially in the Nørrebro/Nordvest area and Christiania. The UK travel advice similarly warns to take extra care in Christiania and Nørrebro, particularly late at night. These areas are generally safe during the day for visitors, but nighttime caution is warranted. Outside of Copenhagen, Denmark's cities and towns are very safe, and most daily life involves zero encounters with serious crime. The country has an effective police force, a functioning legal system, and high levels of social trust — all factors that contribute to its safety profile.

Practical personal security measures recommended by multiple government travel advisories include: keeping your passport and valuables secured (consider a money belt or inside pocket), not leaving bags unattended on trains or in cafes, being cautious about going to isolated places alone after dark, and keeping accommodation locked at all times. The US CDC travel health page for Denmark recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for US citizens and carrying a card identifying your blood type, chronic conditions, and medications in the local language. Carrying a photocopy of your passport and leaving the original securely stored is good practice; some hotels and rental companies in Denmark will accept a photocopy for identification. The travel.state.gov Denmark page advises US citizens to contact the nearest US Embassy or consulate if they encounter serious problems.

Travel and health insurance is strongly recommended for anyone living in or visiting Denmark who is not covered by the public health system. According to um.dk's travel insurance guide, getting sick or injured abroad and needing hospitalization or repatriation can be extremely expensive without insurance. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet) lists several insurance alarm center contact numbers for emergencies: Europæiske at +45 7010 9030, Falck Global Assistance at +45 7025 0405, Gouda at +45 3315 6060, and SOS International at +45 7010 5052. EU citizens should carry the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which provides access to the Danish public health system on the same basis as Danish residents — but note that the EHIC does not cover all costs in all situations, and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly states that it is not a substitute for private travel insurance. Non-EU residents should obtain comprehensive health insurance before arriving in Denmark. According to smartraveller.gov.au, the standard of medical facilities in Denmark is similar to Australia, with major hospitals located in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and the Odense area.

• Keep a photocopy of your passport separately from the original; store the original securely at your accommodation.
• On public transport and in tourist areas, wear bags on your front and keep valuables in inside pockets or a money belt.
• Avoid going out alone after dark in Christiania and Nørrebro; stick to well-lit, populated areas.
• Do not leave drinks unattended at bars or clubs — drink spiking can occur anywhere (noted in Australian travel advice).
• Secure your bicycle with a quality lock; bicycle theft is common across Denmark.
• Register with your country's embassy or consulate upon arrival for long-term stays, so they can assist you in emergencies.
• Keep all emergency numbers (112, 114, 1813, your insurance alarm center) saved in your phone and written down separately.