General Rules for RAB and VAT free Therapists
AM Academy recommends that massage therapists achieve the lesson requirements and become RAB and VAT free therapists, as it will optimize earnings and develop competitive position.Would you like to work as a Professional Masseur?
In Denmark there are no official requirements for what it takes to become a masseuse and the title ‘masseur’ is not protected in any way. This can make it difficult for clients to identify skilled masseurs and find high quality massage treatments.
To tackle this problem, The Danish Health and Medical Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) and The Danish Tax Agency (Skat) have implemented a solution which requires specific educational and training conditions to become a registered masseur. This way clients can see whether a masseur is a RAB registered, and a so-called “Momsfritaget” therapist or not, so they can find the qualified specialists and the high quality massage treatment they need. This registration also makes it possible for clients to receive reimbursement for massage treatment from their health insurance when they are visiting a RAB registered masseur.
Do you find it difficult to get an overview of all these rules, training requirements and registrations? Don´t worry, you are not alone! Here you can learn about all the rules and regulations that a professional practitioner should follow.
If you wish to work as a professional therapist, you need the following two registrations:
- RAB (Registered Alternative Therapist)
- VAT free Therapist
The rules to become a RAB registered or a Momsfritaget therapist are similar, thus often confused, but there are some significant differences between them:
RAB
RAB stands for Registered Alternative Therapist and is formed by a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Danish Health and Medicines Authority – to which trade associations issue the registration, based on specific training requirements, as well as requirements for Good Clinical Practice.
Education requirements
If you wish to become a RAB Registered, you must obtain 660 lessons, divided into the following subjects:
- 250 lessons Primary treatment
- Teaching basic health law
- Training in Clinic Guidance
- Teaching Psychology
- Teaching other alternative treatment
In addition, you are expected to provide good treatment for your clients, as well as handle good daily operations. You must comply with the trade association’s code of good clinical practice, which requires you to keep up to date with your knowledge and professionalism.
Benefits of RAB registration:
- RAB is considered a verification of your quality as a therapist, as you show a high level of education.
- You keep your quality high when continuing training.
- You can receive clients who receive subsidies for the treatment of private health insurance.
- You can receive clients who receive subsidies for the treatment of ‘health insurance denmark’ (This does not apply to Masseurs, but to other therapists such as therapists. Reflexologists, m.m.).
Application for RAB registration
You must contact your trade association and request RAB Registration. Read more about rab registration procedures on the Danish Treatment Association’s website →
Don’t want to be a member of a trade association? You cannot obtain a RAB registration.
VAT free Therapist
According to Section 13(1) of the VAT Act, the vat code is to be applied in accordance with the provisions of the VAT Act. 1 alternative practitioners (including masseurs) may be exempt from VAT. This assumes that 2 conditions are met before you can be exempt from VAT. You must meet specific training and treatment requirements.
Training requirements
If you wish to be exempt from VAT treatment, you must obtain 660 lessons, divided into the following subjects:
- 250 lessons Primary treatment
- 200 lessons Anatomy and Physiology
- 100 lessons Learning about disease and pharmacology
- 100 lessons Other health education
- 10 lessons Clinic Guidance
All subjects that do not consist of practical exercises can be taken via E-Learning, provided that the quality is similar courses in person attendance. In practice, this will mean that all subjects can be taken via E-learning offered by a school or similar educational establishment – except Primary Treatment.
All subjects are required to be completed with a attendance examination. You have documentation requirements and are therefore responsible for presenting diplomas, on which subjects and number of lessons must be clearly stated (The documentation must be in Danish or English. Certificates of formal qualifications in other languages must be translated into Danish or English).
Treatment requirements
As a tax exempt, you will assess problems and perform treatments aimed at treating or preventing illness or health irregularities.
That is, if you perform a well-being treatment or other non-health promotion treatment, this cannot be exempt from VAT.
Benefits of VAT exemption:
- You increase your income without increasing your workload – then you earn more money from the same amount of work (see example below).
Ex. You can potentially use the difference to reduce your treatment prices and thereby make your business more competitive.
Application for VAT exemption
Simply enter the virk.dk and change your registration.
Get vat exempt treats and earn 2 extra monthly wages a year!
See calculation below:
AM Academy can help you achieve training requirements for RAB and VAT exemption.
In order to obtain training requirements for both VAT exemption and RAB, AM Massage School recommends the following distribution of teaching hours/lessons:
- 250 Lessons Primary Treatment
- 200 lessons Anatomy and Physiology
- 100 lessons Learning about diseases
- 50 Lessons Other Alternative Treatment
- 50 Lessons Psychology
- 10 lessons Clinic Guidance
Read more about all our E-Learning courses. Our E-Learning courses are for all types of therapists.
- Read 200 lessons Anatomy and Physiology at E-Learning →
- Read 100 lessons Disease learning and pharmacology at E-Learning →
- Read 50 Lessons Psychology at E-Learning →
Are you a masseuse? You can receive all the hours you are missing in Primary Treatment Mode at AM Academy. Read more →
