Healthcare in Latvia: Comprehensive Guide for Expats and Visitors in 2026

Healthcare in Latvia is provided through a universal, tax-funded system overseen by the Ministry of Health and managed by the National Health Service (NVD). While legal residents have access to publicly funded healthcare, the system is not entirely free, with co-payments applying to some services.  

Many expats choose private healthcare or private health insurance to avoid long waiting times, access multilingual medical professionals, and receive faster treatment. 

This 2026 guide will break down the healthcare system in Latvia, including costs, private vs public healthcare, and insurance.

Key Takeaways on Healthcare in Latvia 

Latvia has a universal, tax-funded healthcare system managed by the National Health Service (NVD), with publicly funded healthcare available to eligible residents.  

Public healthcare is not entirely free, as patients pay statutory co-payments for services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, and hospital stays, although annual co-payments are capped at €570.  

To access state-funded healthcare, residents must register with the National Health Service (NVD) and a local family doctor (GP).  

Citizens from the EU, EEA, the UK and Switzerland can use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medically necessary healthcare during temporary stays in Latvia. Many third-country nationals, depending on their residency status, must have private health insurance. 

Latvia has a mixed public and private healthcare system, with many residents using private healthcare for faster access, shorter waiting times, and English-speaking medical professionals.    

Emergency medical care is available to everyone, including visitors, and can be accessed by calling 112. 

Latvia has a tax-funded universal healthcare system managed by the Ministry of Health and administered by the National Health Service (Nacionālais veselības dienests, or National Health Service). Similar to the UK’s NHS, it provides publicly funded healthcare to eligible residents. 

Key highlights about Latvian healthcare 

• Standard fees: Public healthcare is not entirely free. GP visits cost around €1–2, specialist consultations are a flat €4, and hospital stays include a daily fee of roughly €7–10, starting from the second day of admission. 
• Annual cap on healthcare costs: To protect patients from high medical expenses, annual out-of-pocket co-payments are capped at €570 per calendar year. Children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups are exempt from these co-payments. 
• Primary care and referrals: Patients must register with a local family doctor (ģimenes ārsts), who acts as the first point of contact. A GP referral is required for most specialist appointments, advanced imaging such as MRI or CT scans, and elective hospital treatment. However, you can book appointments directly with certain specialists, including gynecologists, ophthalmologists, child surgeons, psychiatrists, and oncologists. 
• Digital healthcare: Latvia’s E-veselība system stores electronic health records, test results, and digital prescriptions, allowing patients to collect subsidized medication from pharmacies using their ID. 
• Recent healthcare improvements: To reduce long waiting times and improve access to care across the country, Latvia has increased funding for regional hospitals, expanded digital appointment booking systems, and increased support for essential prescription medicines for lower-income residents. 

Latvian citizens and permanent residents 

Under the Health Care Financing Law, Latvian citizens, non-citizens, and permanent residents are entitled to the state-funded minimum healthcare package administered by the National Health Service (Nacionālais veselības dienests – NVD). This covers primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare, although most adults must pay statutory patient co-payments (pacienta iemaksa) set by Cabinet regulations. 

Healthcare for expats and foreign nationals in Latvia 

To qualify for state-funded healthcare, foreign nationals must hold a valid temporary or permanent residence permit, obtain a Latvian personal identity number (personas kods), and register with a local general practitioner (GP) contracted with the National Health Service. 

• EU/EEA and UK citizens: Can access medically necessary healthcare during temporary stays using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or register an S1 form with the National Health Service if they live in Latvia while insured in another member state.  
• Third-country nationals: Tax-paying employees with temporary residence permits generally qualify for state-funded healthcare, while non-working temporary residents must have comprehensive private health insurance under Latvia’s immigration laws.

Because access to state-funded specialists is limited by annual funding quotas (kvotas), many expats and foreign residents choose voluntary private health insurance to access private clinics, shorter waiting times, and English-speaking healthcare professionals. 

Luckily, the Latvia Golden Visa offers foreign nationals a way to obtain Latvian residency through investment in the country. The options for investment include:

• Real estate: €250,000 
• Business investment: €50,000 (less than 50 employees) OR €100,000 (more than 50 employees) 
• Government bonds: €250,000 
• Bank deposit: €280,000 

Note: Latvia has proposed further changes that have not yet become law. Starting January 1, 2027, the plan would remove the real estate, government bond, and bank deposit routes altogether. It would also shorten the residence permit under the €50,000 business investment route from five years to two years. None of this is final yet. The proposal is still under review, so for now, investors can still apply under Latvia’s current rules. 

People thinking of moving to Latvia, registering for healthcare is one of the first steps you should take. 

• Obtain a residence permit (non-EU/third-country nationals). This is required before you can access anything beyond emergency healthcare. EU, EEA, Swiss, and UK citizens can use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) during temporary stays, but those moving to Latvia for work must register as insured persons in Latvia instead.  
• Get a personal identity number (personas kods). This number is required to register with the National Health Service (NVD). Without it, you cannot be added to the healthcare beneficiary register.  
• Register with the National Health Service (NVD). Once registered, you’ll receive a health card and be added to the NVD Services Register, giving you access to state-funded healthcare.  
• Register with a family doctor (GP). Your GP is your first point of contact for prescriptions, routine healthcare, referrals to specialists, and most diagnostic tests. You can register directly with your chosen practice or online through the e-veselība or Latvija.lv portals. You’ll need your Latvian ID card to register and should bring it to future appointments.  
• Keep your medical receipts. If you pay more than €570 in co-payments during a calendar year, you can apply to the National Health Service. 
• for an exemption from further co-payments for the rest of the year. You’ll need your receipts when applying.  

Important: Not all residence permits provide the same healthcare rights. Permanent residence permit holders and their children under 18 are covered by compulsory health insurance, while some temporary residence permit holders, such as certain students, are not and must rely on private health insurance. It’s worth checking whether your specific permit qualifies before registering with the National Health Service. 

The Latvian public healthcare system provides comprehensive coverage, including:

• Primary health care services 
• Specialist consultations 
• Hospital care 
• Emergency medical services 
• Maternity and childcare services 
• Prescription medications (subsidized at 50%, 75%, or 100% depending on the condition) 
• One notable exclusion: Dental care is only state-funded for children, adults must pay for dental treatment privately. 

While public healthcare covers essential needs, private insurance may be required for certain specialist treatments or quicker access to services in private facilities.

Public healthcare in Latvia is funded by taxes, which keep most basic medical services free or low-cost, where patients pay only small co-payments for services like GP visits, specialist consultations, and diagnostic tests. 

However, out-of-pocket spending as a share of total health costs is high by EU standards. According to the latest OECD/European Observatory data, out-of-pocket expenditure accounts for 35% of Latvia’s total health spending compared to an EU average of around 19.6%. This is mainly driven by costs that are not fully covered by the public system, such as dental care and outpatient medicines. 

Many residents and expats also use private healthcare for faster access or English-speaking providers. These are the approximate private-sector prices: 

Latvia’s healthcare system is improving, with continued investment in medical infrastructure and staff training. The country scored 61.9 out of 100 on the 2021 Global Health Security Index, which measures a country’s ability to prepare for pandemics and epidemics.

This places Latvia well above the global average of 38.9. In urban areas such as Riga, you’ll find modern hospitals and clinics equipped with advanced technology. However, rural regions will possibly have fewer healthcare resources, meaning patients may need to travel for specialized treatment. 

For those living in Latvia, health insurance is essential for non-citizens and recommended even for residents relying on public healthcare. There are two primary options:

• Public healthcare (National Health Service NVD): Latvia’s public healthcare system is not an insurance scheme but a tax-funded national health service. It covers essential services such as GP visits, specialist consultations, hospital care, and emergency treatment. However, patients are still required to pay small statutory co-payments, which are capped at €570 per year. 
• Private health insurance: Offers broader coverage, faster access to private facilities, and a more customizable benefits package, usually at a higher cost. 

Annual premiums for private health insurance in Latvia range from €250 to €800, depending on coverage level and provider.

In case of a medical emergency, dial 112 for an ambulance. Emergency care is free for everyone, including visitors. Be prepared to provide basic information about the patient’s condition and location. Emergency healthcare in Latvia is readily available.