Latvia Travel Insurance Guide

Latvia Travel Insurance

Everything you need to know before your trip

REQUIRED

Travel Insurance for Latvia

Travel insurance is legally required for Latvia if you're a non-EU citizen applying for a Schengen visa. You must demonstrate minimum coverage of €30,000 to enter the country. Even if you're from an EU country with reciprocal healthcare agreements, insurance remains highly advisable since the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) only covers emergency and necessary treatment—not repatriation to your home country or any private healthcare services you might need.

Healthcare Cost Level
Free Reciprocal
Avg. ER Visit
Free (EHIC)
Recommended Coverage
$100,000
Evacuation Risk
Low

Healthcare in Latvia

What to expect if you need medical care

Latvia offers good quality healthcare with good English availability among medical professionals, making communication relatively straightforward for international visitors. If you're from an EU country, you can access free or reduced-cost emergency and necessary treatment using your EHIC or GHIC card. However, you'll still face costs for certain services. An emergency room visit averages around $150, while a hospital day costs approximately $400. These are moderate expenses compared to some countries, but they can accumulate quickly if you require extended treatment. Private healthcare facilities, which aren't covered by reciprocal agreements, may offer shorter wait times and additional services but at higher costs. The healthcare system is well-developed with infrastructure comparable to other EU nations.
Reciprocal Healthcare Available Citizens of AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, IS, LI, NO, CH, GB may have partial coverage through reciprocal agreements. EHIC/GHIC covers emergency and necessary treatment only, not repatriation or private healthcare

What Your Policy Should Cover

Country-specific considerations for Latvia

Your policy should specifically address Latvia's seasonal health risks and popular activities. Tick-borne encephalitis presents a moderate risk from spring to autumn, particularly if you're hiking in forests, so verify your policy covers tick-borne disease treatment and any required vaccinations. During winter months, ensure coverage includes hypothermia and frostbite treatment, which pose moderate risks. If you're planning winter sports activities, confirm your policy explicitly includes winter sport coverage and potential mountain rescue operations, as these are sometimes excluded from standard policies. Since EHIC/GHIC cards don't cover repatriation, medical evacuation coverage is essential—even though Latvia has low evacuation risk and well-developed infrastructure, you'll need coverage to return home if seriously ill or injured. Private healthcare isn't covered by reciprocal agreements, so adequate coverage ensures you have treatment options.
Tick-Borne Encephalitis
Moderate Risk
Peak: spring to autumn
Hypothermia And Frostbite
Moderate Risk
Peak: winter

Activity-Specific Coverage

Winter Sports: Ensure coverage includes winter sport activities and potential rescue operations
Hiking In Forests: Verify coverage for tick-borne disease treatment

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

Our recommendation based on Latvia's healthcare costs

While the legal minimum is €30,000 for Schengen entry, the recommended $100,000 coverage provides essential protection beyond basic requirements. At $400 per hospital day, a week-long hospitalization could cost $2,800, and complex treatments or surgeries would increase expenses substantially. The higher coverage amount ensures you're protected for extended hospital stays, specialist treatments, and most importantly, medical evacuation or repatriation costs. Even with Latvia's low evacuation risk and proximity to excellent EU medical facilities, repatriation to distant countries can be extremely expensive and isn't covered by EHIC/GHIC agreements.
Minimum
$30,000
Basic emergencies only

Making a Claim in Latvia

Tips for smooth claims processing

Documentation Required: Medical reports, receipts, proof of treatment, EHIC card if applicable
  • Keep your EHIC or GHIC card with you at all times if you're from an eligible country, and present it alongside your insurance documentation when seeking treatment
  • Collect and retain all medical reports, receipts, and proof of treatment immediately, as Latvia has easy claims processes but requires thorough documentation
  • If hiking in forests during spring to autumn, photograph any tick bites and seek immediate medical attention, keeping records for potential tick-borne disease claims
  • For winter sports activities, ensure you obtain written confirmation from rescue services or medical facilities detailing the circumstances of any incident
  • Request English-language copies of all medical documentation when possible, as this will streamline your claims process back home

Get Covered for Latvia

Travel insurance is required to enter Latvia. Get your coverage sorted before you go.

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