Medical Insurance for Denmark WHV Is mandatory?

Volare Global Editorial | February 10, 2026

Travel insurance is, alongside financial solvency, the fundamental pillar for the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) to approve your residence application. In Denmark, social security is excellent, but initial access for foreigners under the Working Holiday program is conditional upon holding a private policy.

1. Is medical insurance mandatory?

The answer is a resounding yes. Regardless of your nationality, for the residence and work permit to be issued, you must prove that you will be covered by health insurance during your entire stay.

• Approval requirement: Without the certificate of coverage attached to your application (or presented during biometrics), SIRI will not process the visa.

• Duration: The policy must cover the 365 days of your stay, starting from the exact day you land on Danish territory.

  
  

2. Technical requirements of the policy for SIRI

Not just any travel insurance is valid. To meet Danish standards, your policy must certify:

1. Minimum coverage: At least €30,000 (or its equivalent in dollars) for emergency medical expenses and hospitalization.

2. Scope: It must obligatorily include illness, accidents, and, critically, medical and funeral repatriation.

3. No deductibles: It is recommended that the insurance responds from the first euro, as policies with high deductibles may be questioned by consular authorities.

4. Language: Insurance must be in English or Danish

   
   

3. Are there differences by nationality?

Although the general rule of having insurance is universal for the WHV, the interaction with the Danish health system varies slightly:

• Latin America (Argentina and Chile): Private insurance is your only initial safety net. Only once you obtain your CPR (Personal Registration Number) and your "Yellow Card" (health card) will you have access to the Danish public health system, but SIRI requires you to maintain the private policy as mandatory support for the visa process.

• English-Speaking Countries (New Zealand, Canada): Although these countries often have reciprocal health agreements with other nations, for the Denmark WHV, SIRI maintains the requirement of a private travel insurance for the approval of the residence permit.

• Asia (Japan and South Korea): They follow the same strict rule; the insurance certificate must be presented in English or Danish to be validated.

• Australia: Medical insurance Is not mandatory for Australians (although is recommended)

  
  

4. Medical Insurance and the CPR

It is vital to understand that travel insurance is your bridge coverage. From the moment you arrive in Denmark until you register your address and receive your yellow health card (which can take between 4 and 8 weeks), private insurance is the only thing covering you. Even after having public health, many travelers keep the private insurance for the repatriation coverage, which is not included in the Danish social system.