Denmark

Part One

| Professional recognition in your country

1.1. Which organisation recognises doctors eligible to practice in your country?
In case your country has more then one organisation which can provide professional recognition, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

Name: Danish Patient Safety Authority
Type of organisation (professional, government, etc.) Trade union and professional organisation: Government
Address: Islands Brygge 67, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
Phone number: +45 72 28 66 00
Email: stps@stps.dk
Website(s): https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

1.2. What requirements/documents are necessary for a foreign doctor to practice medicine?
i.e. language skills, medical degree, insurance, immigration status.

If you have completed medical training in a country outside Denmark and want to work as a medical doctor (læge) in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, you need to apply for Danish registration.

You have to fill in an application form to obtain Danish authorisation, permission to work independently as a medical doctor and registration of specialist qualifications, (if applicable). If you already hold Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor and want to apply for Danish specialist registration, the links below also contain information about this. The authorisation process and the required documentation depend on the country in which you are a national and the country in which you qualified as a medical doctor. The application forms can be found at the Danish Patient Safety Authority’s website.

If you have been awarded an authorisation from one of the Nordic countries and are a citizen of a Nordic country, you can find the application form here:
https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

If you have completed your medical training in an EU/EEA country and are a citizen of an EU/EEA country, you can find the application form here:
https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

You need to follow another procedure if:
    • You are a national of a non-EU/EEA-country and have completed medical training in a non-EU/EEA country.
    • You are a national of a non-EU/EEA-country and have completed medical training in an EU/EEA-country (other than Denmark)
    • You are a national of an EU/EEA country and have completed medical training in a non-EU/EEA country. You can apply for registration under the special EU/EEA provisions if you have worked for at least three years in another EU/EEA country.

The authorisation process consists of a number of steps, e.g. a language test, medical tests and a course in Danish health legislation. You can find the steps here:
https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

The Danish Patient Safety Authority only regulates language requirements for applicants from non-EU countries (third countries). It is a requirement for all doctors in Denmark to have the necessary qualifications, including adequate skills in the Danish language (ability to understand and being understood by patients and colleagues and conduct medical record in Danish). This requirement is administered by the employer.   

The fee for Danish authorisation, permission to work independently as a medical doctor is DKK 1,206 and DKK 4,165 for a registration of specialist qualifications.

1.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, when)?
Furthermore, how long does the professional recognition procedure usually take?

There are no application deadlines.

Until you have been granted Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor, you are obliged to keep updated about any changes to the authorisation process and the deadlines you have to meet.

The assessment time is:
    • Up to 1 month for applicants from the Nordic countries
    • Up to 3 months for applicants from the EU member states
    • It may take several years to obtain Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor for applicants from Non-EU countries (third countries).

Where can we find more information?
https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

1.4. Are there any sort of examinations/interviews to apply for Medical Professional Recognition?

It depends on the country in which you are a national and the country in which you qualified as a medical doctor.
Nordic country: None
EU member state: None
Countries outside the Nordic region/the EU: Yes, there are some tests needed to obtain Medical Professional Recognition.

Where can we find more information?
https://stps.dk/en/health-professionals-and-authorities/registration-of-...

1.5.1. What kind of professional medical degrees are there in your country?

The professional education in medicine – 6 years.

1.5.2. How do you access each degree?

You apply with your average grade of your high school diploma.

Part Two

| Training in your country

2.1. Which organisation is responsible for medical training in your country?
In case your country has more than one organisation with this function, please attach to this survey a simple list of names and websites where we can acquire more information.

The employer. Medical training in Denmark is a job position and one needs to be employed to obtain it.

The Danish Health Authority (DHA) decides/evaluates the goal description for each medical speciality. Furthermore, it sets the frame for the mandatory courses in the training. The Three Regional Councils for Postgraduate Medical Training (and DHA) are responsible for mandatory general courses while the Companies (Selskaberne) and DHA are responsible for mandatory speciality specific courses.

2.2. Besides professional recognition, is there any other requirement for a doctor to start his training/begin to work (i.e. examination, clerkship, internship)? Namely, which documents/examinations are necessary when applying for training/job?

When starting Danish specialist training, you are required to have:
    • Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor. This requires a completed 1-year internship (KBU).
    • Sufficient language knowledge for proper professional practice

2.2.1. Where are training positions advertised?

Training positions are advertised on the employer´s websites. Sundhedsjobs.dk gathers all postings for vacant healthcare jobs from the five Danish regions, Greenland and the Faroe Islands in one portal:
https://www.sundhedsjobs.dk/in-english
(Note that all job postings are only available in Danish)

Training positions can also be found at:
https://www.workindenmark.dk

Training positions are also advertised in the Danish Medical Journal, which is a magazine given out by the Danish Medical Association:
http://ugeskriftet.dk/dmj

2.3. Are there any application deadlines (if so, which)?

No application deadlines.

2.4. How do applicants choose what and where they would like to train?

It depends on which training positions that are currently available. The training in Denmark is a job position, so the applicant needs to apply to a job to get employed.

2.5. Is there a fee/tuition for attending a training programme?

No.

2.6. Do trainees receive a salary during training?

Yes.

2.6.1. Moreover, what is the current salary and is overtime paid?

The salary depends on how far you are in your specialist training. Also, it depends on where you are employed, job position and length of service. Overtime is paid.

2.6.2. What type of contracts are there? How long are the working and on-calls times?

Training position contracts are normally fixed term contracts.
Intro positions are usually for one year.
The main positions for specialist training are four to five years depending on the medical speciality.

2.6.3. Are sick leave, vacation days, maternity leave, voluntary work allowed and do they entail a reduction of salary?

Yes, these vacancies are allowed, and they do not entail a reduction of salary.

2.7. In general terms, how is the training assessment done?
i.e. exams, evaluations, interviews, appraisal

In order to get your training approved, you need to have your qualifications approved by the end of each training position. This is done by your supervisor/mentor who fills out a log and attests, that you have achieved the specific learning goals.

Part Three

| Other details about training/working in your country

3.1. Is mobility possible inside and outside the country during your training?

Yes.

3.2. How many trainees are there in your country?
Divided, if possible, by in each speciality.

Approximately between 8-9000.

3.3. What are the success, training drop-out and post-training employment rates?

There is no accreditation procedure for training centres. The training centres are instead assessed in two different ways:
    • When the trainee has finished his/hers training, it is possible to evaluate the training itself and the training centres/departments ability to give proper training. This is done at: evaluer.dk
    • The Danish Health Authority’s inspection system. Departments that offer training in a medical speciality are to be visited at least every fourth year. If the department are in need of improvements, it is prioritized and visited more often.

3.4. Is there an accreditation procedure for training centres (and do they include visitations)?

No.

3.5. Is there any national recertification/revalidation scheme to practice?

Once you have obtained Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor, there are no differences in the application procedure according to the country of origin of a trainee.

3.7.1. Are there any restrictions for a foreign doctor who is undergoing training in your country to work there afterwards?

No.

3.7.2. Moreover, is it possible for a trainee undergoing training in another EU/EEA country to do part of his training in your country? If so, what are the necessary requirements/documents?

Yes, same requirements as in question 1.2. You must have obtained Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor.

3.8. Please summarise the general timeline between the time where a doctor has just graduated until he has attained a final senior post as an independent medical doctor.
In other words, please describe, in general terms, the training of a junior doctor in your country.

Internship which is required to obtain Danish authorisation and permission to work independently as a medical doctor – 1 year.

Intro position which can be applied when the internship has been completed – 1 year (1/2 year as a general practitioner if a ½ in general practice was a part of your internship).

Speciality training can be applied when the intro position in the speciality is completed – 4-5 years depending on the speciality.

When finished specialty training, the doctor must apply for a formal approval of his training. After this he/she can start in a senior post as an independent medical doctor.

3.9. Is it compulsory to have malpractice (or any other) insurance?

Employed medical doctors are insured via their employer during working/duty hours. It can be mandatory to have a patient insurance if:
    • You own a specialist practice
    • You, as a medical doctor with permission to work independently, has a clinic/practice without an agreement with the Region in question (e.g. take private patients without national health service).
There is no mandatory insurance if the patients have been referred/directed by their general practitioner. In addition, the Danish Medical Association offers a liability insurance for all members. The insurance covers you in situations outside your primary work as a medical doctor, where you might be liable (free time, subsidiary occupation). 

Where can I find more information?
https://www.laeger.dk/English

3.10. What is the general perspective/position on immigration of medical trainees to your country?

Positive.

3.11. What is the general perspective/position on emigration of medical trainees to foreign countries?

Positive.

3.12. Are there any restrictions in your country to comply with the consolidated version of EU 2005/36?

No.

3.13. Which organisation(s) specialise in assisting doctors in legal and work matters?
i.e. trade unions, medical chambers, other organizations.

The Danish Medical Association

Link:
https://www.laeger.dk/English