Lithuania (LT)
Lithuania is the largest and most southerly of the three Baltic states, a semi-presidential EU republic celebrated for its remarkably preserved Baroque capital Vilnius (UNESCO World Heritage), dramatic coastal dunes at Neringa (also UNESCO), vibrant startup and fintech ecosystem (home of Revolut HQ, Vinted, Nord Security, and Hostinger), rapidly rising living standards, and a resilient population with deep cultural roots stretching back to one of the last pagan civilisations in Europe to adopt Christianity.
Healthcare in Lithuania
Lithuania operates a Bismarck-model compulsory social health insurance system. All employed persons pay mandatory health insurance contributions (PSD — privalomasis sveikatos draudimas) which fund the PSDF (Privalomojo sveikatos draudimo fondas — National Health Insurance Fund). The Valstybinė ligonių kasa (VLK — National Health Insurance Fund) reimburses healthcare providers. Sodra administers the collection of PSD contributions. Healthcare quality has improved significantly since EU accession in 2004, though waiting times in the public system can be long. Private healthcare is affordable by Western European standards and often preferred for faster access.
Mid-range in EU (Euro Health Consumer Index 2024). Improving rapidly — strong in oncology, orthopaedics, and dental. Waiting times for specialists can be a challenge in the public system.
Public healthcare: PSDF — Privalomojo sveikatos draudimo fondas
National Compulsory Health Insurance Fund
- GP (šeimos gydytojas / family doctor) visits — free with PSDF
- Specialist visits after GP referral — mostly free with PSDF (some co-payments apply)
- Hospital treatment (inpatient and outpatient) — covered with minimal co-payments
- Emergency care — fully covered
- Maternity care (akušerija) — fully covered
- Children's healthcare (under 18) — fully covered
- Prescription drugs on the reimbursement list (kompensuojamieji vaistai) — subsidised (typically 50–100% covered)
- Mental health care via public psychiatric services
- Preventive care and vaccination programme
- Dental care for adults (over 18) — mostly not covered except emergency extractions
- Optical care (glasses, contact lenses) for adults
- Cosmetic procedures
- Most physiotherapy (limited coverage)
- Some specialist drugs not on the reimbursement list
- Long waiting times mean many opt for private care even for covered services
Private healthcare: Private healthcare (privati medicina)
Accessing care
Every PSDF member must register with a šeimos gydytojas (family doctor/GP) at a primary care centre. The GP is the main point of care and provides referrals to specialists. Find your nearest GP registration point at ligoniskasa.lt. In Vilnius, popular family medicine centres include Antakalnis, Žirmūnai, and Lazdynai poliklinkos. Many GPs speak Russian; English-speaking GPs are available at some private family medicine practices.
GP issues a referral (siuntimas) for specialist care in the public system. With a referral, specialist consultations are free or require only a small co-payment. Without a referral, you must visit a private specialist and pay full price. Emergency care does not require referral.
Emergency (ekstremalus atvejis): call 112. Nearest emergency department (priimamasis) at university hospital (Santaros klinikos in Vilnius, LSMU klinikos in Kaunas). Emergency care is always provided regardless of insurance status.
Out-of-hours GP: contact your šeimos gydytojas's practice for after-hours instructions. Most clinics have recorded messages with emergency contacts. For urgent non-emergency: go to a duty polyclinic (budinti poliklinika) — open evenings and weekends. In Vilnius: Antakalnis polyclinic and several others operate evening and weekend emergency hours. Call 1811 for triage and medical advice.
GP issues electronic prescriptions (e-receptas). Collect from any licensed pharmacy (vaistinė) — show your asmens kodas. Prescription drugs on the reimbursement list (kompensuojamieji vaistai) are subsidised — you pay only the patient portion. The e-prescription system means you don't need a paper prescription — just your ID.
Adult dental care (over 18): mostly private at €20–80 per procedure — very affordable by Western European standards. Children under 18: covered by PSDF. Emergency tooth extraction: covered in public system for adults. Find a private dentist (odontologas) at any dental clinic — Lithuania has a very high density of dental clinics and prices are competitive. Dental tourism from Western Europe to Lithuania is significant.
Public mental health: GP referral to psychiatric services for moderate-severe conditions. The public system has capacity issues and waiting times. Private psychologists and psychotherapists: widely available in Vilnius, €40–80/session. Online therapy platforms (Talk Space equivalent in Lithuanian: Betterlives.lt, Krizių linija). The Lithuanian Mental Health Centre at Vilnius University Hospital provides specialist inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care.
Comprehensive maternity care is covered by PSDF. Prenatal care: regular check-ups with akušerė-ginekologė (obstetrician-gynaecologist) funded by state. Birth: fully covered at public maternity hospitals (gimdymo namai). Main maternity hospitals in Vilnius: Santaros klinikos, Vilniaus gimdymo namai. Private birth: €2,000–8,000 at private clinics with private room and individual midwife. Post-natal: free health visitor visits.
Expat-specific advice
- Register at Registrų centras to get your asmens kodas — healthcare access requires this.
- Ensure PSD health insurance contributions are being paid — via your employer, or directly to Sodra if self-employed or non-working.
- Register with a šeimos gydytojas (family doctor) at the nearest primary care centre — find at ligoniskasa.lt.
- For English-speaking healthcare: register with Northway Medical Centre or find an English-speaking GP — Go Vilnius website (govilnius.lt) maintains a list.
- Save emergency numbers: 112 (emergency), 1811 (medical triage advice line).
Pharmacies (Vaistinė)
- Paracetamol / Ibuprofen — very affordable (€1–3)
- Vitamin D supplements (recommended for Lithuanian winters)
- Allergy medications (antihistamines)
- Aspirin
- Probiotics (widely available, popular)
- Melatonin (available OTC)
- Basic first aid supplies
- Amber-based natural health products (Lithuanian specialty)
Typical costs
| GP visit (with insurance) | €0 (PSDF-covered with asmens kodas) |
| GP visit (private pay) | €15–40 (private clinic) |
| Specialist visit | €0–5 co-payment (public, with referral) or €30–80 (private) |
| Emergency visit | €0–10 (small co-payment at public emergency department) |
| MRI scan | €50–150 (private) or €0–10 co-payment (public, with referral) |
| Prescription average | €0–20 depending on subsidisation level of the drug |
| Dental check-up | €20–40 (private) |
| Baby delivery | €0 (public hospital) or €2,000–8,000 (private with private room) |
Healthcare
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