Denmark's health system is highly digitised and has its own terminology. Understanding a handful of key terms makes navigating it significantly easier — especially for accessing PrEP, testing, and emergency care.

The Foundation: Identity and Access

CPR-nummer (Civil Registration Number)

The Danish equivalent of a social security number — a 10-digit personal identifier assigned to everyone registered in Denmark. Your CPR number is the key to public health services: without one, you cannot book through Sundhed.dk, access the hospital system as a registered patient, or collect PrEP. If you are an EU/EEA resident in Denmark, getting a CPR number is your first priority. Short-term visitors can access Checkpoint and emergency care without one.

MitID

Denmark's digital identity system (replaced the old NemID in 2022). Used for logging into public services online, including booking medical appointments via Sundhed.dk. If you have a CPR number, you should also have a MitID. Non-residents cannot access MitID and therefore cannot use online booking systems that require it.

Sundhedskort (Yellow Health Card)

The physical yellow card issued to all CPR holders. It shows your CPR number and your registered GP. Present it at hospital appointments and GP visits. Keep it with you — it is your proof of entitlement to free public healthcare.

Sundhed.dk

The national health portal at sundhed.dk. Used for booking GP and hospital appointments, viewing your own health records, and accessing e-prescriptions. Requires MitID to log in. If you cannot access this (no CPR/MitID), Checkpoint and direct phone booking are your alternatives.

Key People and Institutions

Eigen Læge (GP)

Your registered family doctor. The gatekeeping role in Danish healthcare — for most specialist services, including PrEP, you need a referral from your Eigen Læge. Finding an LGBTQ+-affirming GP makes navigating the system significantly easier. You can request a GP change via Sundhed.dk if needed.

Checkpoint (AIDS-Fondet)

The community-run sexual health service operated by AIDS-Fondet (the Danish AIDS Foundation). The gold standard for gay men's sexual health — Checkpoint provides free STI testing, HIV counselling, vaccination, PrEP referrals, and support services. Importantly, Checkpoint does not require a CPR number, making it accessible to visitors and non-residents.

Website: aidsfondet.dk/checkpoint

AIDS-Fondet

The national HIV and sexual health organisation. Runs Checkpoint, provides counselling, advocates for policy change, and funds research. Their website (aidsfondet.dk) is a key resource in Danish.

Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling (Infectious Disease Department)

The hospital department that prescribes PrEP and manages HIV in Denmark. PrEP is only available through these departments — not through a GP directly or a community pharmacy. The main centres are at Hvidovre Hospital and Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen, with equivalents at regional university hospitals.

Venereaklinikken (STI Clinic)

The hospital-based STI clinic. Bispebjerg Hospital's Venereaklinikken is the main public STI service in Copenhagen. More clinical than Checkpoint; handles complex presentations, treatment, and difficult-to-diagnose infections.

Hospitalsapoteket (Hospital Pharmacy)

The hospital's own pharmacy, where PrEP and other hospital-prescribed medications are dispensed. Not the same as a community pharmacy (apotek) on the high street — PrEP cannot be collected from a regular pharmacy in Denmark.

Key Terms

Henvisning (Referral)

A referral from your Eigen Læge (GP) to a specialist service or hospital department. Required for PrEP — you need a referring to the Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling. Checkpoint can also facilitate referrals.

Akutmodtagelse / Skadestue (Emergency Department)

The hospital emergency department, where you go for PEP. Akutmodtagelse is the more modern term; Skadestue (injury room) is the older colloquial term — both are used. For PEP, you want the Akutmodtagelse at a major hospital.

1813 (Capital Region Medical Helpline)

A 24/7 telephone helpline for medical advice and triage in the Capital Region (Copenhagen and surrounding area). In the Capital Region, call 1813 before going to the emergency department — they triage your call and direct you to the most appropriate care, which is often faster than walking into A&E directly. Outside the Capital Region, go to the hospital emergency department directly.

Tre-stedstest / Tre-stedsprøve (Three-Site Test)

Testing at three sites: throat (svælg), rectum (endetarm), and urethra (urinrør) for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. This is the standard for gay men — a urine-only test misses most gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections in this population. Checkpoint routinely performs this; at a GP you may need to specify.

Reaktivt resultat (Reactive Result)

A test result that warrants follow-up — not necessarily confirmed positive. If a test is reactive, you will be contacted to discuss next steps. Do not panic and do not ignore it.

Key Phrases

Getting Tested

  • "Jeg vil gerne have en fuld seksuelt sundhedsundersøgelse." — I would like a full sexual health screen.
  • "Jeg vil gerne have en svælgprøve, rektalprøve og urinprøve." — I want a throat swab, rectal swab, and urine test.
  • "Jeg tager PrEP og skal have min tre-måneders kontrol." — I'm on PrEP and need my three-month monitoring.

Starting PrEP

  • "Jeg vil gerne begynde på PrEP. Kan jeg få en henvisning?" — I would like to start PrEP. Can I have a referral?
  • "Kan du give mig en henvisning til Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling på Hvidovre Hospital?" — Can you give me a referral to the Infectious Disease Department at Hvidovre Hospital?

Needing PEP

  • "Jeg har haft en høj-risiko seksuel eksponering for HIV inden for de sidste [X] timer og har brug for PEP." — I've had a high-risk sexual exposure to HIV within the last [X] hours and need PEP.
  • "Min partner var HIV-positiv / ukendt status." — My partner was HIV-positive / unknown status.

Calling 1813

  • "Jeg har haft en risikosituation for HIV og har brug for PEP." — I've had a high-risk exposure for HIV and need PEP.
  • "Hvornår kan jeg komme til Hvidovre Akutmodtagelse?" — When can I attend Hvidovre Emergency Department?

Privacy

  • "Vil dette blive delt med min Eigen Læge?" — Will this be shared with my GP?
  • "Jeg foretrækker at holde min seksuelle sundhed adskilt fra min Eigen Læge." — I prefer to keep my sexual health separate from my GP.

Note: Checkpoint records are held by AIDS-Fondet separately from the public health record system. Checkpoint staff can clarify what, if anything, is shared with your GP.

Acronyms Summary

Term Danish Meaning in practice
CPR Centralt Personregister Your Danish ID number — needed for most services
MitID Mit ID Digital identity for online health booking
Sundhedskort (Yellow Health Card) Physical ID card showing CPR and registered GP
Eigen Læge (Own Doctor) GP — needed for referrals
Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling — Infectious Disease Dept — where you get PrEP
Venereaklinikken — Hospital STI clinic
Hospitalsapoteket — Hospital pharmacy — where PrEP is dispensed
Akutmodtagelse — Emergency department — where you go for PEP
1813 — Capital Region medical helpline (call before A&E)
PrEP Præ-eksponeringsprofylakse HIV prevention (before exposure)
PEP Post-eksponeringsprofylakse Emergency HIV prevention (after exposure)
STI Seksuelt overført infektion Sexually transmitted infection

Related: