Greenland (GL)

Each town has a health centre (sundhedscenter) with GPs (læger) and nurses. Register at your local health centre when you arrive. Book appointments by phone or in person — same-day appointments are generally possible for acute issues. Health centre staff typically speak Danish and often English. In remote settlements, visiting doctors provide periodic clinic services.

Specialist services are almost entirely unavailable within Greenland. GP referral is required for all specialist care, which is almost always provided in Denmark (Copenhagen, typically at Rigshospitalet). Travel to Denmark for specialist appointments is organised and funded by the Greenland Health Service for medically necessary cases. Waiting times vary by specialty.

Call 112 for all emergencies — ambulance, fire, and police share this number. In Nuuk, go to Dronning Ingrids Hospital emergency department. In other towns, go to the local health centre. For remote areas, medical evacuation by helicopter or aircraft is arranged through the health centre or emergency services. Response times outside Nuuk can be significantly longer.

Each health centre has an on-call doctor for evenings and weekends. In Nuuk, the hospital emergency department is open 24/7. Call 112 for emergencies at any hour. In smaller towns, contact the health centre's emergency line — numbers are posted at the health centre and in the local phone directory.

Prescriptions are issued by health centre doctors and filled at the apoteket (pharmacy). In Nuuk, there is one main pharmacy. In smaller towns, a limited dispensary operates at the health centre. Some medications available in Denmark or Europe may not be stocked locally — arrange a sufficient supply for ongoing medications before arriving.

Dental care is free for children. Adult dental care is available at health centres but coverage for adults is limited to basic treatments. Significant dental work (crowns, implants, orthodontics) is generally not covered and is expensive if done privately. Consider travelling to Denmark for major dental procedures. Expat insurance with dental coverage is advisable.

Mental health services are delivered through health centres, with a limited number of psychologists and psychiatrists in Greenland (primarily in Nuuk). Waiting lists can be long. PAARISA (Greenland's health promotion body) provides some support. For urgent mental health crises, call 112. Danish-language telephone counselling services are accessible. Many expats use online therapy platforms or video consultations with Danish therapists.

Maternity care is provided through health centres and Dronning Ingrids Hospital in Nuuk. Childbirth in smaller towns may require transfer to Nuuk in the final weeks of pregnancy. Prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal support are free for residents. Complex pregnancies or high-risk deliveries may be transferred to Denmark. Confirm maternity care planning with your health centre early in pregnancy.