13-08-2021

Health insurance funds: how medical services are provided to Lithuanian residents working abroad

Lithuanian citizens working in European Union countries, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom (hereinafter - EU countries) are insured by state health insurance in the country where they pay taxes.

Klaipėda territorial health insurance fund (THIF) informs that regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council coordinating social security systems stipulate that insured persons from one EU country who have moved to another EU country have the right to free healthcare in the country of residence. Thus, our citizens living in Lithuania, but working in other EU countries and paying social security contributions, can also exercise this right and receive medical services paid by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) in Lithuania.

“In order for our citizens to exercise this right, they must declare their place of residence in Lithuania and register a document S1 issued by the competent institution of the country where they are insured with state health insurance. It is a document confirming the right to receive medical services in the country of residence under the same conditions as the insured persons of that country”, — informed Aušra Kačinskaitė, Adviser of the Population Service Division of Klaipėda THIF.

According to her, this document is issued by the competent state health insurance institution of the EU country.

After registering the document S1 in the territorial health insurance fund, the person will be included in the register of insured persons with compulsory health insurance and will be able to receive health care services in medical institutions under the same conditions as all insured persons in Lithuania. This person will not have to pay compulsory health insurance premiums in Lithuania. The costs of acquiring the healthcare services provided to him or her or the compensating medicines will be paid by the territorial fund of patients with the budget of the CHIF. Later, these costs will be reimbursed to Lithuania by the competent institution of the country where the person is insured with social security.

The NHIF invites you:

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