As of 1 July 2024, new rules on compulsory health insurance (PSD) apply in Lithuania to spouses and partners of persons legally residing in the country.
What This Means
If a student:
- holds a temporary residence permit based on family reunification;
- is the spouse or partner of a person legally residing in Lithuania, including an EU Blue Card holder;
the student is registered in the Register of Insured Persons (Draudžiamųjų registras).
From the date of registration, the student is required to be covered by compulsory health insurance (PSD).
Who Pays PSD and How
If the student is n ot employed and does not belong to a group insured by the state, they must pay PSD contributions independently.
- Contributions are paid to Sodra.
- Once PSD contributions are paid, the student gains access to Lithuania’s public healthcare system.
PSD may be covered by the state if the student simultaneously:
- holds a residence permit;
- has declared their place of residence in Lithuania;
- belongs to one of the eligible categories, for example:
- is enrolled as a full-time student;
- is registered as unemployed with the Employment Service (Užimtumo tarnyba);
- is raising minor children, subject to submitting an application to the Territorial Health Insurance Fund (Ligonių kasa);
- belongs to another category insured on the basis of information provided by public authorities.
In this case, the student does not need to pay PSD contributions independently.
Rights Provided by PSD
A student with valid PSD coverage has the right to:
- register with a family doctor;
- receive specialist healthcare services free of charge or with partial reimbursement;
- receive treatment in public hospitals.
Important to Remember
Being married to an EU Blue Card holder does not automatically entitle a person to free health insurance.
The key requirements are:
- registration in the Register of Insured Persons;
- valid PSD coverage, either self-funded or covered by the state.
Without valid PSD coverage, public healthcare services are provided on a paid basis, except for emergency medical care.