Region Østdanmark to implement gradual health card rollout and unified employment area

The newly forming Region Østdanmark, which will merge Region Hovedstaden and Region Sjælland in January 2027, has announced key administrative and logistical decisions.

To avoid a one-time expenditure of approximately 30.2 million DKK, politicians have decided that physical health cards will not be replaced all at once. Instead, cards featuring the new regional logo will be issued gradually over a five-year period, specifically when citizens move or change doctors. Existing cards remain valid for medical visits and pharmacies. The digital health card app will also be updated automatically with the new logo and emergency number.

Additionally, the preparatory regional council has decided that the new region will operate as a single employment area. This move aims to create a more cohesive and equitable healthcare system by allowing for a better distribution of staff across the geography. Regional Director Jens Gordon Clausen stated that the transition will be managed with care, noting that most employees will not experience changes to their daily work or be required to move arbitrarily.