top of page

EVAK 

European Health Insurance Card

evak.jpeg

What is it?

Insurance is a small thing that saves you in a big misfortune.

EHIC is the European Health Insurance Card. It allows residents of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland to receive necessary state healthcare while temporarily staying in any of these countries — for example, during travel, business trips, or studies.

Why is the EHIC needed?

  1. Emergency assistance abroad: If you suddenly need medical help while traveling (for example, a fracture, infection, etc.), the EHIC covers the costs the same way it does for local residents.

  2. Cost reduction: With the EHIC, you pay only what locals pay — many services may be free or at a lower cost. Without the EHIC, you may have to pay the full amount or rely on expensive private insurance.

  3. Useful for business trips, studies, and holidays: Especially important for people who frequently travel within EU countries.

How to obtain the EHIC in Latvia?

  1. Electronically via www.latvija.lv

  2. In person at NVD (National Health Service) branches

  3. By mail

  4. You need:

    1. Identification document

    2. For children — birth certificate and a parent’s ID

The card is issued for 3 years (or a shorter period if health insurance in Latvia is not valid for the full term).

Travel insurance

  1. Important to remember: The EHIC does not replace travel insurance, because it does not cover, for example:

  2. Repatriation (transport back to your home country)

  3. Services of private clinics

  4. Rescue operations (for example, in the mountains)

  5. Full cost of medications

  6. The EHIC is valid only in the public healthcare sector, not in private hospitals or clinics.

bottom of page