Poul Hartling (14 August 1914 – 30 April 2000) was a Danish politician and diplomat.

Hartling graduated in theology 1939, became ordained as a priest, and later headed a teacher's seminary.

Hartling served as Foreign Minister of Denmark from 1968 until 1971 in the Cabinet of Hilmar Baunsgaard.

In social policy, Hartling's time as Prime Minister witnessed the passage of the Social Assistance Act of 1974, which instructed municipal authorities to provide day-care and recreation centres for children and young people.

[citation needed] Hartling then left Danish politics to work for the United Nations.