Latvia
In emergencies, call 112 or 113 (ambulance) for help.
Sudden illness and access to treatment in Latvia
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to medically necessary treatment whilst staying temporarily in Latvia.
Medically necessary treatment refers to treatment that cannot wait for your return home.
You can receive medically necessary treatment, for example, for:
- a sudden illness
- an accident
- pregnancy and childbirth
- a chronic illness
If your medical condition requires regular treatment while abroad, please contact the healthcare provider in advance to arrange your treatment.
Please note the following:
- The European Health Insurance Card does not guarantee treatment free of charge, but gives you the right to medically necessary treatment on the same terms and at the same cost as for local residents.
- It is also advisable to carry a paper copy of the card with you.
- If you do not have a card or it is not accepted, you will have to pay the costs of treatment yourself. In this case, you can apply for reimbursement from Kela afterwards.
- Latvia’s public healthcare system is the responsibility of the National Health Service (Nacionālais veselības dienests, NVD). If the healthcare provider has a contract with the NVD, you will only be charged the patient excess for your treatment.
- The costs of private healthcare services are not reimbursed unless the provider has an agreement with the National Health Service.
Doctor in Latvia
See a general practitioner who has an agreement with the NVD. Show your European Health Insurance Card and ID at the appointment. You will be charged a patient contribution. In order to receive treatment from a specialist, you will usually need a referral from a general practitioner. The patient contribution is slightly higher for a specialist appointment than for a general practitioner visit.
Treatment by general practitioners and specialists is free of charge for:
- patients under the age of 18
- pregnant persons receiving treatment related to pregnancy
- certain groups of patients with specific diagnoses
Dentist in Latvia
In Latvia, state-funded dental care is available only for children. Adult patients pay the full cost of treatment.
Medication in Latvia
To obtain medication, you need a special prescription form issued by a doctor who has a contract with the NVD. Special prescriptions are valid for three months. You can be reimbursed for medication obtained with a special prescription. Regular prescriptions are valid for one year.
To collect the medication, go to a pharmacy that has a contract with the NVD. In addition to the prescription, show your European Health Insurance Card and ID at the pharmacy. The level of reimbursement depends on the nature of the illness being treated and the reference prices established in Latvia. Some medicines are not eligible for reimbursement at all. You can apply for reimbursement afterwards from either Latvia or Kela.
You can also buy medicines in Latvia with an electronic prescription issued by your doctor in Finland. You can purchase the medication by presenting your passport or official identity card at the pharmacy. Note, however, that not all medicines can be purchased abroad using an electronic prescription. Check the restrictions on the Kanta.fi website. You can claim reimbursement from Kela afterwards.
Hospital treatment in Latvia
You can access hospital treatment with a referral from a doctor. In emergencies, you can go directly to a public hospital. For in-patient treatment, a patient fee is charged starting from the second day of your hospital stay. Additional fees may apply for diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRI. Show your European Health Insurance Card and ID at the hospital.
Emergency ambulance transport is free of charge if the ambulance is dispatched by the 113 service and you present your European Health Insurance Card.
If your illness requires special transport to return to Finland, you will be responsible for the full cost of the travel. It is recommended that you take out travel insurance that covers these costs.
Patient data in Latvia
Remember to ensure that your patient data is transferred between countries. You can provide those responsible for your follow-up care or your healthcare provider with the patient records related to the treatment you received abroad. If the patient records need to be translated, you will be responsible for arranging the translation yourself.
An electronic Patient Summary is in use between Latvia and Finland, which means that doctors can, to a limited extent, view the health information that has been previously recorded about you in Finland. The Patient Summary contains information such as diagnoses, prescriptions and allergies. Check with your place of treatment whether they use the Patient Summary. You must also give your consent in MyKanta for the use of the Patient Summary.
Quality and safety of treatment in Latvia
The Health Inspectorate supervises healthcare services provided in the country. In particular, the quality and availability of treatment. as well as the competence of healthcare professionals, are subject to supervision.
If you feel that you have received incorrect or inadequate treatment in Latvia, you should first try to resolve the matter directly with the healthcare provider that gave the treatment. If the issue requires further action, you can file a complaint with the Health Inspectorate. Additional information about the complaint procedure is available on the website of the Latvian Contact Point.
Healthcare system in Latvia
Latvia’s statutory healthcare system is based on general, tax-funded healthcare services provided by both public and private service providers. The National Health Service (Nacionālais veselības dienests, NVD) is a key institution responsible for implementing health policies, administering sate financial resources, defining the benefits package, and contracting with healthcare service providers.
The NVD enters into contracts with a variety of service providers, which may be either public or private. Most primary care physicians work as independent professionals and operate their own practices. Almost all dental practices and pharmacies are privately run.
If you plan to travel to Latvia for healthcare services, please visit our website for general information about seeking treatment abroad. Additional useful information is available on the website of the Latvian Contact Point.
How much does treatment cost in Latvia?
You can receive treatment and pay only the excess when you present your European Health Insurance Card and proof of identity at the clinic of a GP who has an agreement with the NVD.
Latvia also has private healthcare providers, many of which do not have a contract with the National Health Service. You will have to pay for private healthcare services yourself.