Medical care in Lithuania

Social Insurance and Medical care in Lithuania

Lithuania’s National Health Insurance Fund (VLK) oversees medical care in Lithuania.

A European Health Card (EHIC) holder can receive medical care provided by general practitioners or specialists, hospital treatment and subsidised medicines prescribed for out-patient care. You can apply for medical care directly to a GP who has an agreement with the Territorial Health Insurance Fund – THIF (Teritorinė ligonių kasa). You will need proof of identity; you can find a list of affiliated doctors can be obtained from the THIF.

The GP visits are free. If the GP refers you a specialist, this consultation will also be free of charge. The costs of treatment provided by a private doctor who does not have an agreement with the TPF are not covered by the EHIC.

Dental treatments are free of charge in primary care institutions which have signed agreements with the THI but you will have to pay the cost of materials. But most dentists work privately and you will have to pay all the costs yourself.

You may be entitled to reimbursement of a percentage of prescribed medicines costs. You must show your EHIC and proof of identity to the pharmacist.

It would be advisable to KEEP YOUR OWN ACCURATE AND DETAILED MEDICAL RECORDS! One good thing for us is that many doctors speak good English and are happy to practice it.

The NHS web site gives excellent advice and up to date information. http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad

Pension

If you are a pensioner, you need to inform the IPC (International Pension Centre) to prevent problems with your pension payments. (Phone 0191 218 7777)

Lithuania has double taxation agreements with the UK so you will not be taxed twice – provided you ensure that the tax offices are aware of your circumstances. You can arrange to have your pension paid directly into your Lithuanian bank account – and still benefit from the increases as if you still lived in the Britain. Contact HMRC and your pension providers well before you leave the UK

If you’ve only worked, lived or are working abroad then you must claim the State Pension through the relevant authority of the country where you currently live and have worked in. In case of Lithuania, pensions for residents of foreign nationality are conferred on the same basis as for people of Lithuanian citizenship. Thus, acquiring social insurance in Lithuania grants not only medical care but also the right to receive pension.

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