Denmark

Denmark has a crime victim compensation program to provide financial compensation for victims who suffer serious criminal injuries.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police. Yes, within 24 hours.

Filing period. Within 2 years of the crime; exceptions are made.

Foreign citizen eligibility. Citizens of foreign countries are eligible for compensation.

Claimants

Procedures

Application forms are available from the local police department where the victim reports the crime. Pursuant to Danish law, the police must inform the victim of his or her eligibility for filing a claim for compensation. The application form is submitted to the police department where the crime is reported. The police forward the application with the police report and any supporting documentation from the victim (i.e., a statement from the victim’s employer clarifying loss of wages, medical bills, etc.) to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (Erstatningsnaevnet). If the offender is prosecuted, the victim has to state a claim for compensation during the trial (with assistance from the prosecution if necessary). Compensation cannot be paid until the offender has been found guilty of the crime; however, it is possible to gain compensation if the police determine that the offender is unknown or is unlikely to be found. The police will forward the application to the compensation board for consideration. The length of time it takes for the claimant to be notified of the program’s decision depends on the case, but the earliest is 4 weeks. After a decision, it will take 14 days for a claimant to receive compensation.

Benefits and Award Limits

Compensation in Denmark is determined pursuant to Danish law on victim’s compensation and liability for damages. The payable compensation amount is adjusted annually. There is no maximum award limit.

Compensable costs

Emergency awards. The program does not provide emergency compensation awards.

Funding sources. The program is funded by state appropriations.

Contact Information

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (The Compensation Board)
St. Kongensgade 1, DK-1264 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Telephone: 453–391–3500
Fax: 453–391–3540
E-mail: erstatningsnaevnet@erstatningsnaevnet.dk
Internet: www.erstatningsnaevnet.dk (in English or Danish)

Languages used—
• On application forms: English, Danish
• In correspondence: English, Danish
• By telephone: English, Danish

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