Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 113 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital is the main ER in Riga. English generally understood at Riga hospitals. Russian widely spoken as alternative.
Response time: 8-15 minutes in Riga. 15-30+ minutes in regional cities (Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava). 30-60+ minutes in rural Latgale and Kurzeme.
Cost: Public ER: free with EHIC for urgent cases. Co-pay €4-14 for non-emergency visits. Uninsured: €30-200+. Ambulance: free.
Healthcare System
Latvia has a tax-funded universal healthcare system managed by the National Health Service (NVD). However, significant underfunding means long waiting times for public specialist care and has driven growth of private healthcare. Riga has good medical infrastructure: Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital and Riga East Clinical University Hospital are the main public facilities. Private clinics (ARS, Veselības centrs 4, Medicīnas centrs Elite) offer faster, English-friendly care. Latvia has the EU's highest patient co-payment burden relative to income, which has been criticised. Rural healthcare access is limited due to population decline and doctor shortages. Dental and medical tourism in Riga is growing — offering quality at Baltic prices.
Designed for: Latvian residents. EU/EEA visitors via EHIC. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Registration with a family doctor (ģimenes ārsts) required for residents. EHIC visitors can access public facilities. Private clinics in Riga accept walk-ins.
Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 2-12+ weeks (significant waits). Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-7 days.
Availability: Good in Riga. Limited in other cities. Very limited in rural areas — Latvia has significant rural healthcare access gaps.
GP Visit
Public with EHIC: co-pay €1-14
Private GP
€30-50 per consultation
ER Without Insurance
€30-200+ per ER visit
Medication
Medications affordable. Some reimbursement for insured residents. Pharmacies (aptieka) well-stocked. Mēness aptieka is the largest chain.
Health insurance is strongly recommended
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm. 24-hour pharmacies in Riga. Dežūraptieka (duty pharmacy) system in other cities.
OTC: Standard European range. Basic painkillers and cold remedies available without prescription.
Controlled substances: Schengen attestation required. Standard EU drug regulations.
Practical Tips
- ARS and Veselības centrs 4 are top private clinics in Riga — English-speaking, modern
- TBE vaccination recommended before any outdoor/forest activities
- Russian is often more useful than English at public hospitals — use if you can
- Pauls Stradiņš hospital is the main public facility in Riga
- Mēness aptieka has 24-hour branches in Riga
- Dental tourism in Riga offers excellent value
Who can get care in Latvia?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Latvia treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.
Public system for visitors
Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.
Seeing a Doctor as a visitor
Registration with a family doctor (ģimenes ārsts) required for residents. EHIC visitors can access public facilities. Private clinics in Riga accept walk-ins. Typical cost: Public with EHIC: co-pay €1-14. Private GP: €30-50. Private specialist: €40-90. Dental: €20-60. Typical wait: Public GP: same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 2-12+ weeks (significant waits). Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-7 days.
Insurance needed for entry or visa
It depends on nationality and visa route — several routes require proof of medical cover.
Documents worth having ready
- EHIC/GHIC (EU/UK citizens)
- Passport/ID
- Travel insurance (non-EU visitors)
- Prescriptions
- Schengen attestation for controlled medications
Local contacts in Latvia
Emergency services
112 (European standard) / 113 (ambulance — Neatliekamā medicīniskā palīdzība)
Call 113 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital is the main ER in Riga. English generally understood at Riga hospitals. Russian widely spoken as alternative.
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm. 24-hour pharmacies in Riga. Dežūraptieka (duty pharmacy) system in other cities.
Standard European range. Basic painkillers and cold remedies available without prescription.
What is the emergency number in Latvia?
112 (European standard) or 113 (ambulance — Neatliekamā medicīniskā palīdzība) in Latvia. Call 113 for ambulance or 112 for general emergency. Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital is the main ER in Riga. English generally understood at Riga hospitals. Russian widely spoken as alternative.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Latvia?
Public with EHIC: co-pay €1-14. Private GP: €30-50. Private specialist: €40-90. Dental: €20-60. Private consultations: €30-50 per consultation.
Join the waitlist to see 4 more FAQs
Sources: Latvian Ministry of Health, NVD (Nacionālais veselības dienests), WHO Latvia, European Commission EHIC
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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