Patient Rights and Informed Consent
Written in plain language for general understanding. This is educational content, not legal advice. Based on Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance.
Danish National Law
What is this right?
Danish law gives patients comprehensive rights in the healthcare system:
- Informed consent (informeret samtykke): No treatment may be carried out without your informed consent. The healthcare provider must explain the diagnosis, proposed treatment, risks, alternatives, and consequences of refusal.
- Right to refuse treatment: You can refuse any treatment — including life-saving treatment — and the refusal must be respected.
- Advance directives (livstestamente/behandlingstestamente): Since 2019, you can register a treatment testament at sundhed.dk specifying your wishes if you become unable to consent — including refusal of life-prolonging treatment.
- Children (15–17): Patients aged 15–17 can consent to treatment independently in most situations.
- Second opinion: You have the right to seek a second opinion from another doctor.
When does it apply?
- You are receiving any form of healthcare in Denmark — GP visits, hospital treatment, surgery, mental health care.
- You want to document your treatment wishes in advance.
What should you do?
- Ask questions — your doctor must explain until you understand enough to make an informed decision.
- If you want to refuse treatment, state your refusal clearly — it will be documented in your medical records.
- Register a treatment testament at sundhed.dk if you want your wishes recorded in advance.
- If you feel your rights were not respected, file a complaint with Styrelsen for Patientklager (Patient Complaints Agency).
What should you NOT do?
- Don't consent to treatment you don't understand — you have the right to receive information in a way you can comprehend.
- Don't assume silence equals consent — consent must be explicit (though it can be oral).
- Don't feel pressured by time — for non-emergency treatment, you can take time to decide.
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