Coming back to Lithuania for a holiday? Make sure you have your health insurance sorted before you travel
Many Lithuanians living abroad return to Lithuania for holidays during summer. For some, a visit to their home country is associated not only with relaxation but also with the convenient opportunity to access healthcare services. The National Health Insurance Fund reminds that the possibility of receiving free healthcare services in Lithuania depends on the country where you are insured and the type of medical assistance you need.
Have a European Health Insurance Card
For Lithuanians living in European Union countries, as well as in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, healthcare coverage is provided by the country where they are insured. Therefore, before travelling to Lithuania for a holiday, it is recommended to obtain and carry a European Health Insurance Card. It will be useful if emergency medical assistance is needed during their stay in their home country.
“We notice that people often remember the European Health Insurance Card only when they already need it. Illness or injury can occur unexpectedly even during a holiday, so it is worth arranging the card before travelling. It confirms the right to receive necessary medical care under the same conditions as residents of our country, and the costs of treatment provided by healthcare institutions are covered from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund,” says Rima Budginienė, Adviser at the Šiauliai Customers Service Division of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
According to her, while staying in another country, medical assistance is most often needed in cases of accidents, injuries, acute pain, or exacerbations of chronic illnesses. For example, if a person breaks an arm, develops pneumonia, or experiences an asthma flare-up, presenting a European Health Insurance Card and an identity document at Lithuanian healthcare institutions that have a contract with the Health Insurance Fund means that necessary medical care must be provided free of charge.
The card may also be useful at a pharmacy. “With the card, you will be able to obtain prescribed reimbursed medicines or medical aids at a pharmacy under the same conditions as residents of our country – after presenting the card and an identity document, you will only need to pay the patient’s co-payment,” emphasises the NHIF representative.
The European Health Insurance Card is issued to residents by the responsible institution in the country where the person is covered by health insurance.
If you have come for treatment
When you come to Lithuania not for a holiday but for a pre-planned surgery, treatment, or pregnancy care, you will not be able to receive such services free of charge with a European Health Insurance Card. To receive planned healthcare services, you need an S2 document, which is issued by the institution responsible for health insurance in the country where you are insured – for example, a health insurance authority or health insurance fund.
The S2 document allows you to receive planned healthcare services at Lithuanian healthcare institutions that have a contract with the Health Insurance Fund. However, you may still have to pay for certain chargeable services, additional fees, or transportation costs yourself.
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