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22-03-2021

Explained how to be treated while living in Lithuania and working elsewhere in Europe

Iliustracija

With many travel restrictions around the world and people working mainly remotely, Lithuanian citizens who work and pay taxes in other countries often choose their homeland as their actual place of work. These persons often ask the National Health Insurance Fund how to receive state-provided medical services in Lithuania, whether they have to pay for them completely or partially.

Citizens of Lithuania who work in any of the European Union countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or the Swiss Confederation are insured by state health insurance in the country of employment — the one where they pay taxes. However, all of these persons can receive medical services in Lithuania, paid by the budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund if they live there, i.e. their place of residence is declared in Lithuania.

“Compatriots working in another European country, when they come to their homeland, should immediately make sure that they can use the health insurance guarantee provided to them. First you need to declare the place of residence in Lithuania, then submit a  S1  document to the national health insurance fund confirming the right to receive medical services in the country of residence. After doing so, these persons can receive treatment in medical institutions of the country under the same conditions as all insured persons in Lithuania”, — says Lina Vitkauskienė, Head of the Population Service Division of Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF).

According to the representative of the Vilnius THIF, the person may receive the S1 document at the competent institution of the European country where he is insured (works and pays taxes), such as the Lithuanian National Health Insurance Fund. Upon submission of the said document issued by this institution to the territorial health insurance fund according to the place of residence, the latter shall register the person in the Register of persons insured with Compulsory health insurance.

For the treatment of a person listed in this Lithuanian register, the patient's treatment shall be paid  by the Territorial health insurance funds in Lithuania, and later these costs shall be reimbursed to Lithuania by the State that issued the S1 document to the insured person. In this respect, the patient does not need to take care of himself, but it should be noted that those who have submitted the S1 document, just like all insured people in the country, do not have to pay fully or partially for treatment and tests if they apply to a medical institution that has a contract with the THIF for the necessary services. For the services of a family doctor, you need to contact a polyclinic (medical centre), where a person is registered, and you will need a referral from a family doctor when going to a specialist doctor.

Insured persons may be required to pay completely or additionally for treatment or researches in cases where they wish to receive a service without a queuing or voluntarily opt for additional services, more expensive than those paid or not paid for by the State.

For the smooth delivery of state-provided medical services, if necessary, it is important to provide the S1 document to the THIF without delay, i.e. without waiting for medical services to be required. A person who works abroad can be provided only with the most necessary medical assistance free of charge in Lithuania (this includes the detection and treatment of COVID-19 disease).

It is also necessary to inform the THIF when the employment relationship in another European country expires, i.e. a person loses the right to receive health care services in Lithuania at the expense of another country.

Klaipėda Territorial Health Insurance Fund information

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222.

Last updated: 27-05-2021

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