Expat Health Insurance in Lithuania

Published on November 10, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Discovering Lithuania as an expatriate comes with many discoveries, including its healthcare system. This article will guide you through the nuances of Lithuanian healthcare specifically designed for expats, demystifying the procedure for enrolling in public health insurance and exploring private insurance options.

Cultural differences, language barriers, and the particularities of medical services in this Baltic country will be addressed to prepare you for a smooth integration into the Lithuanian medical landscape. Whether it’s general practitioners, specialists, or emergency care, learn how to make the most of the local healthcare system while navigating between administrative formalities and personal needs.

Exploring Healthcare Quality in Lithuania

The Lithuanian healthcare system is based on a mixed model: it combines a predominantly state-funded public sector (via the Sodra fund) and a dynamic private sector, mainly present in large cities. Mandatory health insurance covers most basic care (consultations, emergencies, hospitalizations), but some specialized treatments, medications, or dental care require additional payment or supplementary private insurance.

Available Medical Infrastructure:

• The country has a dense network of public hospitals, private clinics, and modern primary care centers in urban areas.
• Private hospitals (Northway, Kardiolita, Baltic American Clinic, etc.) offer state-of-the-art equipment, attracting both local and international patients.
• Rural facilities sometimes have less developed infrastructure and more limited access to certain medical specialties.

Medical Staff Competence and Qualifications:

• Lithuanian doctors are generally well-trained, with degrees recognized throughout the European Union.
• Many practitioners, especially in the private sector, speak English, facilitating communication with expatriates.
• Healthcare studies in Lithuania are renowned for their quality and also attract foreign students, particularly through programs in English.

Technologies Used in Hospitals and Clinics:

• Private clinics and hospitals are equipped with recent medical technologies (advanced medical imaging, modern operating rooms, telemedicine).
• The public sector has benefited from several modernization programs, but differences sometimes remain between urban and rural establishments.
• Lithuania has invested in digital health (electronic medical records, e-prescriptions, telehealth), improving care coordination and the speed of treatment.

Sector	Technological Equipment	Access to Care	Languages Spoken
Public	Good, modernization ongoing	Sometimes lengthy	Lithuanian, English
Private	Very high level, recent	Fast, flexible	Lithuanian, English
Rural	Variable, sometimes limited	More difficult	Lithuanian

Comparison with Other European Countries (especially for expatriates):

• The quality of care in Lithuania is considered satisfactory to very good, especially in the private sector.
• Costs are generally lower than in Western Europe.
• Expatriates benefit from fast and personalized access in the private sector but note waiting times and a more limited specialized offering in the public sector.
• Life expectancy remains below the European average, mainly due to lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, cardiovascular diseases).

Expatriate Testimonials:

• Positive points: Quick access to specialists in private clinics, competent and often English-speaking medical staff, modern equipment, competitive prices.
• Challenges encountered: Waiting times in the public sector, disparities between urban and rural areas, the need to subscribe to international health insurance for optimal coverage, occasional language barriers in the rural public sector.

Examples of Feedback:

“I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of private clinics in Vilnius: quick appointments, English-speaking doctors, state-of-the-art equipment.”

“In the public sector, you sometimes have to wait several weeks to see a specialist, but the welcome and care remain professional.”

Recent Improvements and Future Prospects:

• Continuous investments in modernizing hospital infrastructure and digitizing the healthcare system.
• Strengthening prevention and public health promotion to reduce mortality related to chronic diseases.
• Attractiveness policy for international patients, particularly through the development of medical tourism and English-language services.

To attract more expatriates, Lithuania is focusing on:

• Developing the private sector with high service quality.
• Improving accessibility to specialized care.
• Simplifying administrative procedures and strengthening foreign language support.
• Increasing integration of digital technologies to optimize the patient experience and ensure care safety.

How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Lithuania?

The main healthcare costs in Lithuania for expatriates are significantly more affordable than in most Western European countries. Basic medical consultations in the public sector typically cost between 20 and 50 euros, while in a private clinic, this rate rises to 45–100 euros depending on the specialization and reputation of the practitioner.

Type of Care	Average Public Cost (euros)	Average Private Cost (euros)
General Consultation	25	45
Specialist Consultation	30	60
Hospitalization (per night)	100	200
Specialized Treatment	300	600
Simple Childbirth	included (ancillary fees 100–300)	1,000–1,500
Appendectomy	ancillary fees 100–200	800–1,200
Knee Replacement	—	3,000–5,000

Medications are generally affordable, especially if covered by local health insurance. Prices vary: a box of antibiotics costs between 5 and 15 euros, while some non-reimbursed specialized treatments can represent a significant expense.

Comparison with the European Union:

• Lithuanian rates are lower than those in France, Germany, or the Netherlands, where a private consultation often exceeds 70–120 euros and hospitalization can cost 300–700 euros per night.
• Medications are also cheaper, especially generic and subsidized ones.

Public Health Insurance for Expatriates:

• Permanent resident expatriates or holders of a residence permit can access the mandatory health insurance system (National Health Insurance Fund).
• Routine care is free in the public sector for local insured individuals, but expatriates generally must pay upfront and request reimbursement, except for hospitalization, which can be covered directly by some international insurance plans.

Supplements and Private Services:

• Private services (quick consultations, private rooms, innovative treatments) involve significant additional costs.
• Private health insurance is often necessary to cover these expenses: the average annual cost ranges from 564 euros (age 30) to 1,018 euros (age 50) for standard hospitalization coverage.

Financial Aid and Free Services:

• Expatriates affiliated with the local system benefit from partial or total reimbursements for public care and certain medications.
• Medical emergencies are generally covered without upfront payment for registered residents.
• Some preventive services (vaccines, screenings) are free or partially subsidized.

Key Points to Remember:

• Public care is inexpensive, but expatriates often must pay upfront unless fully integrated into the local system.
• Private and specialized care require supplementary health insurance.
• Lithuanian rates are among the most affordable in the EU, but there are notable gaps for high-end or non-covered services.

The Best Private Clinics for Expatriates in Lithuania

Clinic Name	Location	Medical Specialties	Languages Spoken	Technologies & Equipment	Service Quality (Patient Reviews)	Service Cost	Expatriate Accessibility	International Insurance Partnerships
Kardiolita Hospital	Vilnius, Kaunas	Cardiology, surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, etc.	Lithuanian, English, Russian	Very modern, state-of-the-art equipment	Excellent reputation, personalized care	Higher than public, competitive in Europe	Easy access, quick service, fluent English	Yes, recognized for international patient care
Northway Medical Center	Vilnius	General medicine, imaging, surgery, consultations	Lithuanian, English, Russian	Latest generation equipment	Highly appreciated for quality and welcome	Private rate, reasonable for Europe	Very suitable for expatriates, simplified procedures	Yes, cooperates with international insurers
Baltic American Clinic	Vilnius	Multi-specialties, check-ups, pediatrics, internal medicine	Lithuanian, English, Russian, sometimes French	High technology, modern laboratories	Premium service, medical follow-up in English/French	High price but high-end services	Multilingual staff, international orientation	Yes, very open to foreign insurances
Medicinos Diagnostikos Centras	Vilnius	Diagnostics, analyses, specialized consultations	Lithuanian, English, Russian	Advanced technical platform	Good feedback on efficiency and speed	Private costs, transparent	Appointment service in English, good accessibility	Yes, accepts international insurances
Fi Clinica / SV Plastic Surgery	Kaunas	Plastic surgery, aesthetics, dermatology	Lithuanian, English	Recent and modern facilities	Popular for aesthetic surgery	High price for specialized procedures	Accustomed to foreign clientele	Yes, often partner with health insurers

Expatriate Experience

Expatriates report great ease of access in private clinics, English-speaking staff (sometimes French), and efficient management of international files.

Care is considered fast, personalized, and of quality comparable or even superior to the European average.

Expatriates appreciate the possibility of obtaining medical documents in English, useful for reimbursements and administrative procedures in their home country.

Some testimonials highlight transparency about costs and the possibility of obtaining a quote before intervention.

International health insurances are widely accepted, which simplifies payment and coverage.

Practical Tips to Facilitate Access to Healthcare in Lithuania

• Check that the chosen clinic accepts your international health insurance before making an appointment.
• Prefer large, recognized clinics for their experience with foreign patients and their multilingual staff.
• Always request a medical report in English for any consultation or hospitalization.
• Register with a general practitioner upon arrival to facilitate referral to specialists if needed.
• Use expatriate networks and embassy recommendations to identify English or French-speaking practitioners.
• Inquire about costs before any procedure: private clinics generally provide clear quotes.
• For long-term stays, compare local and international insurance offers to optimize your reimbursements.

To Remember

Lithuanian private clinics offer an excellent quality/price ratio, great international openness, and very high-level medical services, making them a preferred option for expatriates seeking quality healthcare in Lithuania.