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13-12-2024

The health insurance funds: travel with your European Health Insurance Card and stay safe

Iliustracija

As the winter holiday season approaches, the health insurance funds remind people planning trips not to forget their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This free document allows receiving emergency medical services when travelling within the European Union, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. If you need emergency care during your trip, it is paid for by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund.

Emergency medical services on the trip are often needed urgently, for example, in the event of sudden illness, flare-up of a chronic disease, injury or traffic accident. The doctor decides what kind of help is needed.

“If you need emergency medical care while travelling in Europe, your card can only be used for free treatment in medical facilities that are part of the national health system of that country. These can be both public and private medical institutions. Always check whether the facility accepts patients with the European Health Insurance Card. It is important to know that the health insurance funds will not cover costs that are not covered by the health insurance rules of the country. We, therefore, recommend to check health insurance rules of the country you are travelling to beforehand,” Inga Kvedarienė, the head of the Population Service Division of Šiauliai Territorial Health Insurance Fund, advises.

The specialist states that it is also important to note that the EHIC does not guarantee free elective healthcare, nor does it cover transport costs if an accident or illness requires the patient to be brought back to Lithuania. 

The card can be ordered for yourself and your minor children. It is easy to order online, using information system of the National Health Insurance Fund or when arriving at the health insurance fund. The card is issued immediately in just a few minutes after visiting the Territorial Health Insurance Fund. A card ordered online can also be collected quickly at your Territorial Health Insurance Fund.

The EHIC can be obtained not only by visiting the Territorial Health Insurance Fund, but also by automated parcel automats, if this is the preferred method of delivery when ordering the card. The card is sent by LP Express, Omniva and VENIPAK automated parcel automats. The recipient of the card is responsible for the cost of postage.
In all cases – whether ordering or collecting an EHIC – an identity document is required.

The card is valid for five years, regardless of the insured group to which the recipient belongs. For third-country nationals, the EHIC is issued until the expiry of the validity period of the residence permit in Lithuania, but for no longer than five years. During this period, the card is valid only for a person covered by compulsory health insurance. If the insurance is terminated, the card becomes invalid and the holder can no longer use the card.

If the patient pays for emergency medical care while in another European country, he or she can go to the Territorial Health Insurance Fund and submit a claim for reimbursement when returning to Lithuania. This shall be accompanied by an identity document, copies of medical documents and financial documents confirming incurred costs.

Last year, health insurance funds issued a record number of EHIC to the residents – 320,000. This year, 250,000 cards have already been issued by December.

The NHIF invites you:

Last updated: 06-01-2025

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