Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 or 103 for ambulance. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the main tertiary hospital. English spoken at major Vilnius hospitals. Rural areas: Lithuanian essential.
Response time: 8-15 minutes in Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda. 15-30+ minutes in rural areas.
Cost: Public ER: free with EHIC. Uninsured: €30-200+. Ambulance: free. Hospital admission co-pay: €2-5/day for insured.
Healthcare System
Lithuania has a universal healthcare system funded through the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (VLK — Valstybinė ligonių kasa). Public healthcare is available through polyclinics (poliklinikos) for primary care and hospitals for specialist/emergency care. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the largest and most advanced facility. Private clinics (Affidea, Kardiolita, Northway) in Vilnius and Kaunas offer faster, English-friendly care. Lithuania has invested significantly in e-health — electronic prescriptions and health records are standard. Medical tourism is growing, particularly for dental and cosmetic procedures. Challenge: doctor emigration to Western Europe has created shortages, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns.
Designed for: Lithuanian residents with compulsory health insurance. EU/EEA visitors via EHIC. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Registration at a polyclinic (poliklinika) required for residents. EHIC visitors can access public facilities. Private clinics in Vilnius/Kaunas accept walk-ins without registration.
Typical wait: Public GP (šeimos gydytojas): same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 2-6+ weeks. Private GP: same-day. Private specialist: 1-7 days.
Availability: Good in Vilnius and Kaunas. Moderate in Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys. Limited in rural areas. Private clinics concentrated in Vilnius.
GP Visit
Public with EHIC: free (minimal co-pays)
Private GP
€25-50 per consultation
ER Without Insurance
€30-200+ per ER visit
Medication
Medications affordable. VLK reimburses most prescription costs for insured. Pharmacies (vaistinė) well-stocked. Eurovaistinė and Camelia are major chains.
Health insurance is strongly recommended
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm. 24-hour pharmacies available in Vilnius and Kaunas. Budinti vaistinė (duty pharmacy) system in other cities.
OTC: Standard European range. Basic painkillers, antihistamines, cold remedies available OTC.
Controlled substances: Schengen attestation required for controlled medications. Standard EU drug regulations.
Practical Tips
- Affidea, Kardiolita, and Northway are the best private clinic networks — English-speaking, modern
- TBE vaccination essential before outdoor activities — Lithuania has very high tick rates
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the top public hospital
- Eurovaistinė pharmacies are everywhere — some are 24-hour in Vilnius
- Dental tourism: excellent quality at very competitive prices
- Download translation app for rural areas — Lithuanian is not easy to improvise
Who can get care in Lithuania?
Emergency care for anyone
Emergency departments in Lithuania 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 at a polyclinic (poliklinika) required for residents. EHIC visitors can access public facilities. Private clinics in Vilnius/Kaunas accept walk-ins without registration. Typical cost: Public with EHIC: free (minimal co-pays). Private GP: €25-50. Private specialist: €40-100. Dental: €20-60. Typical wait: Public GP (šeimos gydytojas): same-day to 3 days. Public specialist: 2-6+ weeks. 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 Lithuania
Emergency services
112 (European standard) / 103 (ambulance)
Call 112 or 103 for ambulance. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the main tertiary hospital. English spoken at major Vilnius hospitals. Rural areas: Lithuanian essential.
Pharmacies
Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 9am-3pm. 24-hour pharmacies available in Vilnius and Kaunas. Budinti vaistinė (duty pharmacy) system in other cities.
Standard European range. Basic painkillers, antihistamines, cold remedies available OTC.
What is the emergency number in Lithuania?
112 (European standard) or 103 (ambulance) in Lithuania. Call 112 or 103 for ambulance. Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos is the main tertiary hospital. English spoken at major Vilnius hospitals. Rural areas: Lithuanian essential.
How much does a Doctor visit cost in Lithuania?
Public with EHIC: free (minimal co-pays). Private GP: €25-50. Private specialist: €40-100. Dental: €20-60. Private consultations: €25-50 per consultation.
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Sources: Lithuanian Ministry of Health, VLK (Valstybinė ligonių kasa), WHO Lithuania, European Commission EHIC, CDC Travelers Health Lithuania 2025
Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare
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