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15-06-2023

For school leavers: what do you need to know about compulsory health insurance?

Iliustracija

Specialists of the health insurance funds remind school leavers that school graduation means not only a new stage in life but also a new responsibility to take care of one’s compulsory health insurance.

All young people who leave school are covered by compulsory health insurance (CHI) until 31 August. From 1 September, only those graduates who start studies at vocational and higher education institutions in Lithuania and other countries of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, on a full-time basis, will be covered by compulsory health insurance. Young people who choose a part-time study programme will have to take care of their own insurance.

Lithuanian residents aged 18 who do not attend general education or vocational schools, do not study at higher educational institutions in Lithuania or other European countries, do not start working or are not insured by the state for other reasons, will be required to pay a CHI contribution of EUR 58.63 each month until the last day of the month.

For young people leaving school and choosing to study abroad, it is important to know:

  • Young people studying at higher education institutions in the EU countries, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland or Switzerland on a full-time basis must submit an application in the approved form and a certificate issued by the institution of higher education to the health insurance funds. This can be done by filling in an electronic application form on the electronic services platform of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), by e-delivery, sending it by post, coming to the Population Service Departments of the territorial health insurance funds, or by submitting it through an authorised person.
  • Pupils going to study in the EU countries under general education programmes from 23 January 2021 onwards, as well as future students, need to submit an application in an approved form and a document (certificate) issued by the educational institution to the health insurance funds. The application form can be found here.
  • You do not need to declare your departure from Lithuania when you go to study in the mentioned European countries. Otherwise, you will not be eligible for CHI.
  • The document (certificate) issued by a foreign educational institution, as well as the application, must be submitted each academic year, as the validity of a student’s CHI is approved for one academic year.
  • Lithuanian students who do an internship or go on an exchange programme to the EU, EEA countries or Switzerland during their studies are also covered by CHI funds and don’t need to worry about anything.
  • Young people who start their studies in the United Kingdom (UK) after 1 January 2021 are no longer entitled to CHI paid by state. They must pay their own contributions. However, they are entitled to apply for a refund of their health tax from the competent UK authority.
  • When going to study in a third country, such as the United States, Canada or Australia, students need to take out their own health insurance - private insurance. It is important to declare your departure in Lithuania to avoid accruing a debt for CHI contributions.
  • When planning your trip, it’s important to remember to get a European Health Insurance Card beforehand. You can order it electronically by logging on to https://e.vlk.lt. 

According to the data of the NHIF, in 2022, there were nearly 4,000 students studying at higher education institutions in European countries who were covered by compulsory health insurance in Lithuania.

(Freepik photo)

The NHIF invites you:

Last updated: 09-08-2023

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