Medicine & Veterinary Latvia

In Latvia, the medical insurance system includes public and private insurance, providing access to medical services for various categories of the population.

Public medical insurance:

Latvia's public healthcare system is funded by taxes and provides basic medical services to citizens and permanent residents of the country. The Ministry of Health of Latvia, through the National Health Service, is responsible for implementing state policy in healthcare and ensuring the availability of medical services.

To receive public medical services, it is necessary to register in the system and choose a family doctor who will refer the patient to specialists if necessary. However, it should be noted that some services may require partial payment and there may also be queues for certain types of treatments.

Private medical insurance:

Private medical insurance provides access to a wider range of medical services and reduces waiting time. Many employers offer their employees private health insurance policies as an additional benefit. Furthermore, private insurance companies, such as BTA and If, offer individual policies that can be tailored to personal needs.

European Health Insurance Card:

Latvian citizens and other persons entitled to public medical insurance can obtain a European Health Insurance Card. This card confirms the right to receive necessary or emergency medical care in other European Union countries on the same terms as for citizens of those countries. The European Health Insurance Card can be obtained through the E-veselība portal or by contacting the regional offices of the National Health Service.

Health insurance for foreign citizens:

Foreign citizens residing in Latvia must have a valid health insurance policy covering medical expenses, including transportation in case of serious illness or death. This requirement is especially relevant for third-country nationals who need to provide proof of medical insurance when applying for a residence permit.

In Latvia, medical services are provided by both public and private institutions, ensuring a wide range of medical care for the population.

Public medical institutions

State-funded hospitals and clinics provide basic medical services. The largest public hospitals are:

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga: one of the largest medical centers in the country, offering a wide range of services and serving as a base for medical education and research;

Riga East Clinical University Hospital, Riga: specializes in treating complex diseases and is one of the leading medical institutions;

Children's Clinical University Hospital, Riga: the only multidisciplinary hospital in Latvia providing specialized medical care for children.

To receive public medical services, one must register with a family doctor who will refer them to specialists if necessary. The list of public medical institutions is available on the National Health Service of Latvia's website.

Private medical institutions

Private clinics and medical centers offer a wide range of services, including specialized care and diagnostic studies. Some of the leading private clinics include:

"Veselības centrs 4" Medical Center, Riga: the largest private clinic with extensive experience, offering qualified and modern medical care;

Dr. Jānis Ģīlis Clinic, Riga: specializes in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine;

"ARS" Medical Center, Riga: one of the largest private clinics, bringing together leading specialists and offering modern medical services;

Private institutions often offer shorter wait times and a personalized approach to patients. However, the cost of services is higher than in public institutions.

Choosing between public and private institutions:

The choice between public and private medical institutions depends on your needs, financial capabilities, and the urgency of medical care. Public institutions provide basic medical care with possible waiting lines, while private clinics offer faster access to specialists and additional services for an appropriate fee.

For up-to-date information about medical institutions and services, it is recommended to refer to official sources, such as the website of the Latvian National Health Service.

In Latvia, it is important to register with a family doctor and schedule an appointment with a narrow specialist if necessary in order to receive medical services. The process of registration and schedule can be carried out both in person and online.

Registering with a family doctor

1. Choosing a family doctor: A family doctor is a specialist providing primary medical care. You can choose a doctor practicing near your place of residence. The list of family doctors is available on the E-veselība portal.

2. Registration procedure:

In person: Go to the chosen family doctor's practice and fill out a registration application.

Online: Register through the E-veselība portal by logging in with internet banking or an electronic signature.

Restrictions: The doctor may refuse registration if your residence is outside the serviced area or if the doctor has already reached the maximum number of patients (1800 adults or 800 children).

Scheduling an appointment with a narrow specialist:

Getting a referral: A referral from a family doctor is required to see most specialists. Exceptions include direct access specialists, such as a gynecologist, ophthalmologist, psychiatrist, and dermatovenereologist.

Scheduling an appointment:

In person: Visit the registration desk of the chosen medical institution.

By phone: Call the medical institution to schedule an appointment.

Online: Many clinics offer electronic booking through their websites.

Useful resources

National Health Service: Provides information about medical services and family doctors. Contact phone: 80001234, email: info@vmnvd.gov.lv.

E-veselība portal: A centralized portal for registering with a family doctor and obtaining information about medical services.

In Latvia, emergency medical care is intended to provide urgent medical assistance in situations threatening human life or health. The ambulance service is responsible for organizing and providing such services throughout the country.

When to call for emergency medical care

It is recommended to call 113 in the following cases:

- Loss of consciousness.

- Respiratory arrest or sudden disruption.

- Serious injuries or severe bleeding.

- Signs of a heart attack: sudden chest pain.

- Signs of a stroke: sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body.

- High fever, especially in children, not responsive to lowering.

- Other situations posing an immediate threat to life.

In these cases, the emergency brigade will arrive free of charge and promptly.

Paid calls:

If the patient's condition is not critical and does not require urgent medical assistance, the call may be deemed unwarranted and become chargeable. From October 1, 2023, the cost of such a call is 84.93 euros. For non-residents of Latvia who are not entitled to state medical services, the cost of the call is 191.68 euros.

Alternatives in non-critical situations:

In cases not requiring urgent assistance, it is recommended to:

Consult a family doctor: they know the patient's medical history and can prescribe appropriate treatment.

Call the family doctors' advisory phone: 66016001. On weekdays from 17:00 to 8:00, on weekends and holidays – 24/7. Qualified specialists will provide recommendations for further actions.

Visit the on-duty doctor or urgent medical care center: especially in the evening or on weekends. Information about such points is available on the National Health Service website.

Important:

Misuse of the emergency medical service may lead to fines. Since October 2020, the fine for an unjustified call is 71.62 euros.

Thus, emergency medical assistance in Latvia is intended for urgent situations, and it is important to correctly assess the need for a call to ensure timely help for those who truly need it.

In Latvia, medical tests and examinations are available in both public and private medical institutions.

Public medical institutions:

Referral from a family doctor: For most tests and examinations, a referral from a family doctor is required. After receiving the referral, you can contact a public clinic or hospital to carry out the necessary procedures.

Appointment scheduling: It is recommended to schedule an appointment in advance to avoid long waiting times. Appointments can be made by phone or through online systems, if available at the chosen institution.

Payment: Many basic tests and examinations are covered by public health insurance. However, some services may require partial payment. Check the cost information before visiting.

Private medical institutions:

Without referral: In private clinics, it is often possible to undergo tests and examinations without a referral from a family doctor.

Appointment scheduling: Many private clinics offer online scheduling through their official websites.

Payment: Services in private clinics are paid for by the patient. The cost may vary depending on the type of test or examination. It is recommended to review the price list on the clinic's website or check the information by phone.

Laboratories:

Direct access: Some laboratories accept patients without a referral.

Comprehensive examination programs (Check-Up):

Comprehensive programs: Some medical centers offer full health examination programs.

Booking and execution: You can book such programs through the clinic's website or by phone. Examinations are usually conducted within one day and include a wide range of tests and diagnostic procedures.

Recommendations:

Information clarification: Before visiting a medical institution, it is recommended to clarify information about necessary documents, preparation for tests, and service costs.

Choice of institution: The choice between a public and private institution depends on your preferences, urgency, and financial capabilities.

Below are the most popular medical laboratories:

E. Gulbja Laboratorija: the largest clinical laboratory in Latvia, offering all types of medical research, disease diagnostics, and health evaluation. It has branches nationwide, providing convenient access for patients.

Centrālā Laboratorija: offers a wide range of clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. It has more than 80 branches across Latvia, including children-friendly rooms with separate queues and specially equipped facilities.

Olivia Clinic: in collaboration with E. Gulbja Laboratorija, offers test submission in the clinic, ensuring fast results and reducing the time between consultation and diagnosis.

Veselības Centru Apvienība (VCA): Centrālā Laboratorija branches are located in VCA clinics, where a wide range of laboratory tests can be conducted. Information on available tests and branches is available on their website.

Preparation for childbirth in Latvia includes several key stages: choosing a medical institution, a doctor, arranging medical insurance, and organizational aspects.

Choosing a medical institution:

Both public and private maternity hospitals are available in Latvia. The most well-known include:

Riga Maternity Hospital: offers a wide range of services, including traditional births, water births, and cesarean sections. Costs vary depending on selected options.

Jurmala Hospital: provides maternity services, including births with a chosen doctor or midwife, as well as water births.

Liepaja Regional Hospital: Offers maternity services, including childbirth with a chosen specialist and cesarean section.

Choice of Doctor:

Many maternity hospitals offer the possibility to make an agreement with a specific doctor or midwife for individual birthing assistance. This ensures the continuous presence of your chosen specialist throughout the entire birthing process.

Medical Insurance:

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of Latvia, state medical insurance covers basic services related to pregnancy and childbirth. However, for additional services or in the absence of state insurance, it is recommended to purchase a private policy. Companies such as If and ERGO offer health insurance programs that cover childbirth and related medical services.

Organizational Aspects:

Advance Booking: It is recommended to contact your chosen medical institution in advance, especially after the 35th week of pregnancy, to discuss details and finalize necessary agreements.

Required Documents: Ensure you have all the necessary documents, including your passport, pregnancy medical record, and insurance policy.

Birth Plan: Discuss with your doctor your preferred birth plan, including pain relief methods and possible scenarios.

 

Partner Births

Ensure the chosen maternity home or hospital supports the practice of partner births. Most state and private institutions in Latvia offer this opportunity. Some hospitals may require advance booking or agreement. The partner may need to provide medical documents confirming the absence of infectious diseases. It is recommended to contact the chosen institution in advance to clarify conditions and requirements for partner births.

Vaccination of Newborns

In Latvia, vaccination of newborns against certain infectious diseases is mandatory. According to the national vaccination schedule, newborns are vaccinated against tuberculosis upon discharge from the maternity ward.

Subsequently, at the age of 6 weeks, vaccination against rotavirus infection begins. At the age of 2, 4, and 6 months, vaccination with a combined vaccine protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hemophilic infection type B, and hepatitis B is recommended, as well as vaccination against pneumococcal infection at 2 and 4 months.

At the age of 12 to 15 months, vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox is recommended.

In the event of a foreign citizen's death in Latvia, a range of legal and organizational actions are required to arrange documentation and organize the funeral or repatriation of the body to the home country.

1. Notifying Competent Authorities

Police: Immediately report the death to the nearest police station. This is especially important if the death occurred outside a medical facility or under suspicious circumstances.

Medical Institution: If the death occurred in a hospital, the medical staff will issue the necessary documents.

2. Obtaining a Medical Death Certificate

A medical death certificate is issued by the doctor who confirmed the death. This document is necessary for the subsequent registration of death with the civil registry offices.

3. Registration of Death with Civil Registry Offices

For official registration of death, you should contact the civil registry office at the location of the death or the deceased's place of residence. You must have:

- Medical death certificate.

- Passport or another identification document of the deceased.

- An identity document of the applicant (relative or representative).

After registration, a death certificate is issued, necessary for further actions.

4. Notification of the Embassy or Consulate of the Deceased's Citizenship Country

Contact the embassy or consulate of the country of which the deceased was a citizen. The diplomatic mission will assist in organizing the repatriation of the body, arranging the necessary documents, and informing relatives.

5. Organization of Funeral or Repatriation

Funerals in Latvia: If a burial is planned in Latvia, contact the local funeral home, which will assist with the ceremony's organization and necessary paperwork.

Repatriation of the body: To transport the body back home, you will need:

- Death certificate.

- Permit for the export of the body, issued by the relevant Latvian authorities.

- Certificate of embalming and airtight packaging of the body.

- Coordination with the airline or transport company regarding transportation conditions.

Funeral homes often offer repatriation services, including the preparation of all necessary documents and logistics.

Cremation: Available through both public and private institutions. The cremation procedure includes:

Document preparation: death certificate; application for cremation (some funeral homes offer the option to submit an application online).

Choice of crematorium: Several crematoriums operate in Latvia, for example, in Riga and Valmiera.

Executing the cremation: The procedure takes several hours.

Receiving the ashes: A cremation certificate is issued, and, if necessary, accompanying documents for the transportation of the urn abroad.

Cremation cost: Prices for cremation in Latvia vary depending on the services and institution chosen. For example, a basic service package may cost around 330 euros, including cremation and document processing.

6. Financial aspects

The costs of a funeral or repatriation can be significant. It is recommended to check the possibility of receiving compensation from insurance companies if the deceased had an appropriate policy. Some countries provide financial assistance for the repatriation of their citizens.

Additional actions

Closing bank accounts and settling property issues: Contact a notary to formalize inheritance rights and settle property matters.

Informing the employer: If the deceased worked in Latvia, notify their employer of the event.

Following these steps will help ensure the legal correctness of organizing the funeral or repatriation according to the laws of Latvia and the deceased's country of citizenship.

In Latvia, pet owners must comply with certain requirements for vaccination, microchipping, and registration of their pets.

Vaccination

Mandatory rabies vaccination: Dogs, cats, and domestic ferrets are subject to mandatory rabies vaccination. The first vaccine is given at 12 weeks of age.

Recommended vaccinations:

Dogs: Vaccination against parvovirus, canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, and leptospirosis.

Cats: Vaccination against panleukopenia, calicivirus, and viral rhinotracheitis.

Microchipping and registration

Dogs: Mandatory microchipping and registration in a unified pet database. From July 1, 2022, chipping, passport issuance, and the first registration in the database are performed only by a veterinarian.

Cats and domestic ferrets: From July 1, 2024, mandatory microchipping and registration have been introduced for cats and domestic ferrets. The chipping process allows for a transitional period until 2027.

Pet passport

A passport is needed for traveling with an animal abroad. It contains information about vaccinations, health status, and treatments performed. If the animal is not planned to be taken abroad, a vaccination certificate is sufficient.

Following these requirements and recommendations ensures the health of pets and the safety of those around them.

In Latvia, there are numerous facilities that offer pet care services, including hotels and shelters.

Animal hotels

If you plan a trip and cannot take your pet with you, various pet hotels in Latvia offer professional care:

zooAKAIserviss: Offers hotel services for dogs, cats, and other animals of different sizes in familiar environments: at home, in a room, or in a pen. Transportation of the pet to the hotel and back home is also provided. The hotel operates seven days a week from 8:00 to 17:00 by prior arrangement. Veterinary supervision is ensured at all times.

4Paws: The first and largest pet care service in Latvia since 2006. Offers a hotel for dogs, cats, and other animals in comfortable home conditions, providing the most favorable atmosphere for your pet. Dog walking and small animal care services are also available.

Whisker: Provides home-like conditions for your pet, ensuring the best care while you travel or are busy with work. Offers a hotel for dogs and a walking service.

Animal Shelters

For those interested in helping homeless animals or considering adoption, several shelters operate in Latvia:

Shelter "Good Home": Supported by the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation, the shelter offers assistance to homeless animals, including medical check-ups, vaccinations, treatment, and finding new owners.

Shelter "Friend of Animals": Open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 17:00. On other days, it is recommended to contact them by phone or email.

Shelter "Second Home": Founded in 2016, the shelter provides over a hundred shelters for homeless cats across Latvia, actively engaged in feeding, sterilization, and providing medical assistance to animals.

When choosing a hotel for your pet, it is recommended to familiarize yourself in advance with the living conditions, schedule, and required demands such as vaccination and chipping. If you plan to adopt an animal, contact the selected shelter for detailed information on the procedure and requirements.

In Latvia, there are clear rules for keeping pets aimed at ensuring their welfare and the safety of others.

Registration and chipping.

Vaccination.

Care and maintenance:

Ban on tethering dogs: From July 1, 2024, it is prohibited to keep dogs on a leash. Exceptions apply to dogs born before August 31, 2023.

Breeding: Female dogs, cats, and ferrets are allowed to have no more than one litter per year. It is forbidden to use sick animals, animals with congenital pathologies, or physiologically and genetically incompatible animals for breeding.

Owner responsibility:

Ensuring welfare: Owners are obliged to ensure proper living conditions, regular veterinary care, and adherence to walking rules.

Maintaining public order: It is necessary to prevent animals from creating noise or smells that disturb neighbors.

Compliance with these requirements ensures the health of pets and the safety of others.