Health Insurance types: How to get Health Insurance in Latvia
- Katelyn McKeone
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
There are several types of health insurance in Latvia, including Employer-funded health insurance, NVD-funded healthcare, Private (Personal) insurance, and Travel insurance. In this article, we will go over each of these types.
NVD-Funded Healthcare
The NVD provides partially funded or free medical services to residents of Latvia who meet certain criteria.
These services include:
Family doctor visits,
Emergency medical care,
Hospital services,
Pregnancy care,
Certain diagnostic tests and specialist consultations (with a referral).
Keep in mind:
The NVD system is not insurance but a state-funded healthcare system.
Many services require a patient co-payment
Eligibility depends on legal residence, tax payments, and GP registration.
Does NVD cover everything?
No. The state only covers basic healthcare. For dentistry, physiotherapy, or additional diagnostic tests, you usually have to pay out of pocket or use private health insurance.
Do I need additional health insurance if I'm eligible for services from the NVD?
It is not mandatory, but additional health insurance allows you to receive help faster, choose a wider range of services, and reduce personal expenses.
Private Health Insurance
Private Health insurance (also called Personal Health insurance) allows you to choose a doctor and clinic, receive services without long waiting times, and covers what the NVD does not pay for.
Keep in mind:
Private Health insurance enables access to specialists without a referral.
Policy cost depends on age, coverage, and insurer.
You cannot opt out of contributions to the NVD system — they are mandatory for all working residents.
Is private insurance expensive?
The price is individual, but this insurance is an investment in comfort and security. It allows you to receive services without waiting and cover expenses that would otherwise have to be paid out of pocket.
Employer-Funded Health Insurance
More and more companies in Latvia are choosing health insurance as an employee benefit. It is beneficial both for the company and for employees themselves.
Why is it beneficial for employers?
Group insurance is more cost-effective than individual policies.
Provides additional motivation and loyalty within the team.
Reduces the number of sick days and improves employee well-being.
A more tax-efficient solution than increasing salaries by the same amount.
Keep in mind:
Employer-funded insurance usually offers broader coverage than individual policies.
Employees usually do not have to pay for the policy — it is covered by the company.
Smaller employee groups may have more limited options or higher costs.
Are you an employer planning to insure your team?
The Perks team helps find the most cost-effective solution — by comparing all insurers, explaining the details, and providing support throughout the entire policy period. Try our free employee health insurance calculator and explore your options.
Travel insurance (or Travel Medical insurance)
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for most residents of Latvia who travel abroad, as well as for foreigners visiting Latvia.
For travelers from Latvia
The policy covers:
Emergency medical expenses,
Hospitalization,
Medical evacuation and repatriation;
Additionally, the policy can be supplemented with coverage for lost baggage or trip cancellation.
Keep in mind:
The EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) covers only basic emergency care, but not private clinics or transport back home.
Policies can be purchased for a single trip or for multiple trips over a year.
How long does a travel insurance policy last?
Travel insurance policies can vary in length depending on your needs. For proper coverage, the policy must be valid for the entire duration of the trip, but annual multi-trip policies can be purchased.
For travelers arriving in Latvia
For foreigners entering Latvia, travel medical insurance is often mandatory — for example, to obtain a visa or residence permit.
It covers:
Emergency medical care,
Hospitalization and emergency transport,
Repatriation to the country of origin.
Minimum coverage requirements are set by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP). Perks offers an affordable Travel Medical Insurance policy that meets all the requirements of the PMLP.
How to purchase Health Insurance
To obtain a health insurance policy, you must first determine which type of insurance will fit your needs best.
To choose the most suitable policy, it is important to understand your needs and options:
Do you need coverage for employees or for personal use?
Will the insurance be intended for travel abroad or for everyday healthcare in Latvia?
Which services are essential specifically for you — diagnostics, dentistry, rehabilitation, sports activities?
Perks brokers help compare market offers, explain the details, and find a policy that provides real value, not just coverage on paper.
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