Written by
John Spencer
John Spencer is the founder of Compare Expat Plans, focusing on clear, neutral information to help people find health coverage abroad.
Last updated: January 29, 2026
Quick Summary: Health Insurance in Latvia
- Digital Nomad Visa available—requires health insurance with €42,500 coverage minimum.
- NVD (National Health Service) provides tax-funded public healthcare; expats need private coverage.
- Most affordable Baltic state—private GP visits €25-40, full health checkup €100-200.
- Riga has good private clinics (Veselības centrs 4, ARS, Premium Medical); rest of country limited.
- Public system underfunded—long waits for specialists make private insurance valuable.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance in Latvia?
Latvia's Digital Nomad Visa specifically requires health insurance with minimum €42,500 coverage valid for entire stay. Other residence permits also require insurance proof. Latvia's public healthcare (NVD) is tax-funded—you don't pay contributions separately, but it's available primarily to residents paying income tax. Non-EU expats on DN visas typically rely on international insurance rather than public healthcare. EU citizens can use EHIC for temporary stays.
Insurance is required for:
- Digital nomads—mandatory for DN Visa, minimum €42,500 coverage required
- Non-EU expats—required for all residence permit types
- EU citizens staying long-term—public system has long waits; private recommended
- Anyone outside Riga—regional healthcare is basic; insurance provides Riga access
- Those with ongoing conditions—public specialist waits can exceed 3 months
Public vs Private Healthcare in Latvia
Public Healthcare
NVD (Nacionālais veselības dienests / National Health Service)
- Access: Latvian citizens, registered residents paying income tax, EU citizens with EHIC
- Cost: Tax-funded (no separate contribution); patient copays €2-15 per visit
Latvia's public healthcare is the most underfunded in the Baltics. Long wait times are common—specialists 1-3 months, non-urgent surgery 6-12 months. Riga hospitals: Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (largest, best for complex cases), Riga East University Hospital, Children's Clinical University Hospital. Quality is acceptable for emergencies and basic care; complex cases often referred abroad or handled privately. English limited in public facilities outside Riga.
Private Healthcare
International or Local Private
- Access: Open to anyone
- Cost: €40-80/month (local plans); €70-160/month (international)
Private sector fills the public system gaps. Main private clinics in Riga: Veselības centrs 4 (largest private network, comprehensive), ARS (multiple locations), Premium Medical, Rīgas 1. slimnīca (private wing). Latvian private healthcare is very affordable by European standards—often 40-50% cheaper than Estonia. Local insurers (BTA, ERGO, If) offer good supplemental plans €25-40/month. International insurance useful for regional evacuation (Helsinki, Warsaw, Stockholm all within 1.5 hours by air).
Plan Options to Compare
Here are the most popular insurance options for expats in Latvia. Each has trade-offs depending on your situation.
Cigna Global
Best for: Digital Nomad Visa holders—meets €42,500 requirement with room to spare
Not ideal for: Budget nomads—Latvia is cheapest Baltic, premium insurance less necessary
Allianz Care
Best for: Long-term expats wanting Helsinki/Stockholm evacuation coverage
Not ideal for: Short-term DN visa holders (1 year max)—may be overkill
BUPA Global
Best for: Pre-existing conditions—public waits are longest in Baltics
Not ideal for: Healthy young nomads who can use affordable Riga private clinics
IMG Global
Best for: Budget Digital Nomad Visa compliance—meets minimum requirements affordably
Not ideal for: Those with health conditions needing guaranteed specialist access
Comparison Table: Top Expat Health Plans for Latvia
Compare the leading options side by side. Click "Details" to learn more about each provider.
| Provider | Best For | Coverage Style | Includes U.S.? | Notable Limits | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna Global | Digital Nomad Visa holders—meets | International comprehensive | Higher cost than local options | Details → | |
| Allianz Care | Long-term expats wanting Helsinki/Stockholm | International comprehensive | Deductibles apply to savings | Details → | |
| BUPA Global | Pre-existing conditions—public waits are | International premium | Premium pricing | Details → | |
| IMG Global | Budget Digital Nomad Visa | International standard | 12-month pre-existing exclusion | Details → |
Common Watch-outs for Latvia
Keep these points in mind when choosing coverage:
- Digital Nomad Visa specifics: Valid for 1 year (non-renewable—you must leave or change status). Requirements: remote work for non-Latvian employer, €2,857/month minimum income (2.5x Latvian average wage), health insurance with €42,500 minimum, clean criminal record. Apply through PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs).
- Public healthcare underfunding: Latvia spends less on healthcare than Estonia or Lithuania. This means longer waits, older equipment, and fewer specialists. If you have chronic conditions or anticipate needing specialist care, private insurance is essential—not optional.
- Riga-centric healthcare: Nearly all quality care is in Riga. If living in Jūrmala, Liepāja, or elsewhere, expect to travel to Riga for anything beyond basic GP care. Factor transport time into emergency planning.
- Language barrier: Latvian is the primary language; Russian is widely spoken (30% of population). English is common among younger medical staff in Riga but not guaranteed elsewhere. Private clinics typically have English-speaking staff.
- EU citizens limitation: Even with EHIC, you'll face the same long waits as Latvian residents. EHIC covers costs but doesn't provide queue-jumping. Private insurance strongly recommended for any EU citizen staying beyond a few months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Latvia's Digital Nomad Visa work?
Latvia's DN Visa lets remote workers live legally for up to 1 year. Requirements: employment or self-employment for non-Latvian company, minimum income €2,857/month (gross), health insurance covering €42,500, no criminal record, proof of accommodation. Cost is €100 application fee. Key limitation: it's non-renewable—after 1 year you must leave Latvia or switch to another visa type. Good for testing Latvia before committing to longer-term residence.
Why is Latvia the cheapest Baltic state for healthcare?
Latvia has lower wages and living costs than Estonia and Lithuania, and this extends to healthcare. Private GP visit: Latvia €25-40, Estonia €40-60, Lithuania €30-40. Full health checkup: Latvia €100-200, Estonia €150-300. Dental crown: Latvia €150-300, Estonia €250-400. The tradeoff: Latvia's public system is also more underfunded, so you're more reliant on private care. For expats with insurance, Latvia offers excellent value.
Is Riga healthcare good enough for expats?
Riga's private clinics (Veselības centrs 4, ARS, Premium Medical) provide good outpatient care—modern equipment, English-speaking staff, reasonable wait times. For serious conditions, Pauls Stradiņš Hospital handles complex cases competently. Limitations: some specialized treatments may require travel to Helsinki, Stockholm, or Western Europe. Riga is adequate for routine care and most serious conditions; it's not a medical destination for cutting-edge treatments.
What's the difference between NVD and private insurance?
NVD (public): Tax-funded, no monthly premium, covers all basic care, but has long waits (weeks to months for specialists), older facilities, limited English. Small copays (€2-15) per visit. Private insurance: Monthly premium (€40-80 local, €70-160 international), immediate access to private clinics, modern facilities, English-speaking staff, no waits. Most expats in Latvia get private insurance—the public system waits are too long for non-emergency care.
Can I stay longer than 1 year on the Digital Nomad Visa?
No—Latvia's DN Visa is explicitly non-renewable. After 12 months, options are: 1) Leave Latvia (you can return as tourist for 90 days, or try another country's DN visa), 2) Switch to employment-based residence permit (requires Latvian employer), 3) Start a Latvian company and get business residence, 4) If you have EU citizenship, simply register as EU resident. Many nomads use Latvia's DN year as a trial before deciding on longer-term Baltics residence—Estonia and Lithuania have other advantages.
Related: Comparisons and Next Steps
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Healthcare policies, insurance requirements, and visa rules change. We are not insurance brokers, immigration consultants, or licensed advisors. Verify all information with official sources and insurance providers before making decisions.