How do you enrol in public healthcare in Latvia in 2026?

Employees and many self-employed people become covered when social contributions are paid into the Latvian system after residence rights and a personas kods exist: Apply for a residence permit. Confirm status with NVD or your employer’s payroll desk rather than assuming a stamp at the border created cover.

If you live in Latvia but remain insured in another EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or the UK through work or pension rules, request an S1 form from that country’s competent institution and register it with NVD. NVD will refuse S1 registration if you are already insured through Latvian employment or a Latvian pension path. You can be insured in only one country for this purpose.

Choose and register with a family doctor (ģimenes ārsts). State-funded visits then use NVD patient contributions such as €2 for many GP visits under 65 and €4 for many specialists. Children under 18 are exempt from many contributions. Keep payment receipts labelled as patient contributions for the annual cap rules.

Finish address declaration and eID / latvija.lv access so portals and appointments work. First-month sequence: Paperwork after moving. Fold premiums and private dental gaps into Monthly budget.