Patient Rights and Informed Consent in Denmark (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Danish law gives patients extensive rights within the health service:
- Informed consent: No treatment may be carried out without your informed consent. The health professional must explain the diagnosis, the proposed treatment, risks, alternatives and the consequences of refusing.
- Right to refuse treatment: You can refuse any treatment — including life-saving treatment — and the refusal must be respected.
- Advance decisions (living will / treatment directive): Since 2019 you can register an advance treatment directive (behandlingstestamente) at sundhed.dk stating your wishes if you later cannot consent — including refusal of life-prolonging treatment.
- Minors (15–17 years): Patients aged 15 to 17 can in most situations consent to treatment independently.
- Second opinion: You have the right to obtain a second opinion from another doctor.
When does it apply?
- You receive any form of healthcare in Denmark — a GP visit, hospital treatment, surgery or psychiatric treatment.
- You wish to document your treatment wishes in advance.
What to do if a doctor in Denmark carries out treatment without your informed consent
- Ask questions — your doctor must explain until you understand enough to make an informed decision.
- If you want to refuse treatment, state the refusal clearly — it is recorded in your file.
- Register an advance treatment directive at sundhed.dk if you want your wishes recorded in advance.
- If you feel your rights have not been respected, complain to Styrelsen for Patientklager (the Agency for Patient Complaints).
What should you NOT do?
- Don't consent to treatment you do not understand — you have the right to information in a way you can understand.
- Don't assume silence is the same as consent — consent must be express (but it can be verbal).
- Don't let yourself be rushed — for non-emergency treatment you can take time to decide.
About Healthcare Rights in Denmark
Denmark's healthcare system is universal and tax-funded under Sundhedsloven (the Health Act) and is run by the five regions. Your health card (sygesikringsbevis / yellow card) covers GP visits, hospital treatment, referral to a specialist and emergency help with no out-of-pocket cost. You have the right to informed consent, to refuse treatment and to access your records. If the public system cannot offer treatment within 30 days, you can choose a private hospital or another region at public expense. Injuries following treatment are covered on a strict-liability basis via Patienterstatningen (the Patient Compensation Association). Psychiatric treatment is governed by Psykiatriloven (the Mental Health Act).
Common Questions
What does informed consent mean in Danish healthcare?
Under Sundhedsloven, no treatment may be carried out without your informed consent. The health professional must explain the diagnosis, the proposed treatment, risks, alternatives and the consequences of refusing. Consent must be express, but it can be verbal. You have the right to information in a way you can understand, and to obtain a second opinion.
Can I refuse medical treatment in Denmark?
Yes. You can refuse any treatment, including life-saving treatment, and your refusal must be respected. State it clearly — it is recorded in your file. Since 2019 you can also register an advance treatment directive at sundhed.dk stating your wishes if you later cannot consent, including refusal of life-prolonging treatment.
What do I do if a Danish health professional ignores my refusal?
Complain to Styrelsen for Patientklager. Don't consent to treatment you do not understand — your doctor must explain until you understand enough to decide. Don't assume silence is the same as consent. Patients aged 15 to 17 can in most situations consent independently, and for non-emergency treatment you can take time to decide.
What is the patient rights and informed consent right in Denmark?
Danish law gives patients extensive rights within the health service:Informed consent: No treatment may be carried out without your informed consent. The health professional must explain the diagnosis, the proposed treatment, risks, alternatives and the consequences of refusing.Right to refuse treatment: You can refuse any treatment — including life-saving treatment — and the refusal must be respected.Advance decisions (living will / treatment directive): Since 2019 you can register an advance treatment directive (behandlingstestamente) at sundhed.dk stating your wishes if you later cannot...
When does it apply — patient rights and informed consent?
You receive any form of healthcare in Denmark — a GP visit, hospital treatment, surgery or psychiatric treatment.You wish to document your treatment wishes in advance.
What should I do if a health professional in Denmark did not explain the treatment properly or ignored my refusal?
Ask questions — your doctor must explain until you understand enough to make an informed decision.If you want to refuse treatment, state the refusal clearly — it is recorded in your file.Register an advance treatment directive at sundhed.dk if you want your wishes recorded in advance.If you feel your rights have not been respected, complain to Styrelsen for Patientklager (the Agency for Patient Complaints).
What should you NOT do — patient rights and informed consent?
Don't consent to treatment you do not understand — you have the right to information in a way you can understand.Don't assume silence is the same as consent — consent must be express (but it can be verbal).Don't let yourself be rushed — for non-emergency treatment you can take time to decide.