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30-12-2024

Certificates are a convenient and quick solution for medical emergencies in Europe

Iliustracija

For those who will celebrate the coming year in other European countries, health insurance funds remind that Lithuanian citizens who forget to take their European Health Insurance Card with them on their trip can use e-services to generate a replacement certificate and download it to their mobile device.

Where is it valid?

The growing number of certificates issued to Lithuanian citizens each year shows that this service is relevant and increasingly popular among travellers. This year, 31 000 certificates have been issued to replace the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

“Like the European Health Insurance Card, the certificate confirms the right of a person covered by compulsory health insurance to receive emergency medical care in the countries of the European Union, as well as in Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This means that in case of sudden illness, exacerbation of a chronic disease, trauma, traffic accident and other unforeseen cases, emergency medical assistance will be provided free of charge to those who have the certificate”, - explains Inesa Byčkova, Head of the Population Service Division of the Klaipeda Territorial Health Insurance Fund.

According to the specialist, it is important to note that the certificate does not cover health services provided outside the public health system, which are paid for by the population. It also does not cover additional charges for the patient, such as transport, meals, comfort (e.g. a private ward) or additional tests requested by the patient.

How to request?

  • Access to the e-services system of the Health Insurance Fund is done via online banking with e-signature or mobile e-signature. Only your personal data can be viewed when logged in.
  • After logging in to the e-services portal and filling in the application form, the personal data is validated, the certificate is generated and can be downloaded to your mobile device. If it is not possible to access the e-Government Gateway and request a certificate, you can contact the local public health insurance institution in the country where you are staying. This institution, and if necessary, the medical institution in the European country, will contact the Territorial Health Insurance Fund of the person's place of residence to request a replacement certificate for the EHIC.

The certificate is valid until the last day of the current month. If the resident’s compulsory health insurance is valid for less than a full calendar month, the certificate will be valid until the last day of that insurance.

Can I generate a certificate for my family member?

By logging in to the e-services, a parent can also create certificates for their minor children. When selecting the option to create a certificate in the e-services, it is necessary to tick the checkbox on the statement “I request a certificate as a temporary replacement for the EHIC for my minor family members”. 

If the healthcare institution has invoiced you

If a Lithuanian resident covered by compulsory health insurance receives an invoice from a medical institution for emergency medical treatment during their stay in Europe, they will have to pay for it at their own expense.

If the services were provided in a healthcare facility belonging to the national health system of the country concerned, you can apply for reimbursement of the costs incurred to the territorial health insurance fund of your place of residence. You must have proof of identity, copies of medical records of the services you received abroad, and proof of the bills you received and payment. 

(Getty Images photo)

The NHIF invites you:

Last updated: 22-01-2025

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