Greenland
Health in Greenland: vaccines, water, medical care and insurance
Travelers to Greenland should be up to date on routine vaccines, consider hepatitis A and B, and bring a travel‑insurance policy; tap water is safe to drink, and insurance is strongly recommended.
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Key facts
- Routine vaccines
- MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella up to date
- Hepatitis Acheck
- Recommended for most travellers (check)
- Hepatitis Bcheck
- Recommended for longer stays or medical work (check)
- Tap water
- Safe to drink in settlements
- Travel insurance
- Strongly recommended; covers medical evacuation
Quick answer
Bring routine shots (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella) and consider hepatitis A and B; tap water is potable; buy travel insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Details
Greenland has modern health facilities in Nuuk and Ilulissat, but serious cases may require evacuation to Denmark. Routine vaccines should be current. Hepatitis A is advised for most visitors because food is often imported; hepatitis B is advised for stays over a month or if you might have medical procedures. There is no malaria risk and no yellow‑fever requirement. Tap water in towns is treated and safe; in remote camps use bottled or boiled water. Private health care can be costly, so a comprehensive travel‑insurance policy with evacuation coverage is essential.
- Vaccines: MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella – up to date.
- Hepatitis A – recommended for all travellers.
- Hepatitis B – recommended for long stays or medical work.
- No routine requirement for typhoid, rabies, or yellow fever.
- Tap water: safe in settlements; check local advisories in remote camps.
Notes
Medical clinics in Nuuk and Ilulissat provide basic care; pharmacies sell over‑the‑counter pain relievers and antihistamines. Emergency number is 112. For serious illness or injury, evacuation to Denmark is common and can be expensive without insurance.
Questions people ask
What vaccines do I need for Greenland?
Keep routine shots (MMR, DTaP, polio, varicella) current; hepatitis A is recommended for most travellers, hepatitis B for longer stays or medical work. No yellow‑fever or malaria vaccines are needed.
Is tap water safe to drink in Greenland?
Yes, municipal tap water in towns such as Nuuk, Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq is treated and safe. In remote camps use bottled or boiled water.
Do I need travel insurance for Greenland?
Strongly recommended. Medical facilities are limited and evacuation to Denmark can be very costly; a policy covering medical treatment and evacuation is essential.
Are there any health risks specific to Greenland?
Cold‑related injuries and limited medical services are the main concerns. No malaria, dengue or yellow‑fever risk.
What should I do in a medical emergency?
Call 112 for emergency services. If evacuation is needed, your travel‑insurance provider will coordinate transport to Denmark.
Verify with the official source
Draft, not field-verified
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
Ask about Greenland
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