πŸ₯ Healthcare Overview

System: Universal public healthcare funded by mandatory health insurance. EU/EEA citizens covered with EHIC. Private healthcare available in major cities.

Quality: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†β˜† (3/5)

Private clinics in Vilnius and Kaunas offer good care. Public system is functional. Younger doctors speak English well. Private healthcare recommended for tourists.

πŸ’‘ Medical Tourism

Lithuania is popular for dental tourism and cosmetic procedures, with prices well below Western European levels.

🏨 Hospitals & Clinics Near Tourist Areas

Recommended facilities for travelers β€” English-speaking staff available at most listed locations.

Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos πŸ—£οΈ English spoken

πŸ“ Near: Vilnius (accessible from Old Town)

πŸ“ž +370 5 236 5000

Lithuania's largest and most advanced hospital. Full emergency services. English spoken.

Baltic American Medical & Surgical Clinic πŸ—£οΈ English spoken

πŸ“ Near: Vilnius Old Town area

πŸ“ž +370 5 234 2020

Private clinic catering to English-speaking patients. Walk-in accepted.

Kaunas Clinics (LSMU Kauno Klinikos) πŸ—£οΈ English spoken

πŸ“ Near: Kaunas

πŸ“ž +370 37 326 000

Major university hospital. Emergency services 24/7.

πŸ’Š Pharmacy Guide

Access: easy

Hours: Pharmacies (vaistinΔ—) open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-5pm. Some 24/7 pharmacies in Vilnius.

Prescription rules: Lithuania follows EU prescription regulations. Many medications require a prescription. EU/EEA prescriptions may be accepted at pharmacies.

Available Over-the-Counter

  • ibuprofen (Nurofen)
  • paracetamol
  • cold remedies
  • stomach medication
  • antihistamines
  • band-aids and first aid

πŸ—£οΈ Useful Pharmacy Phrases

πŸ’‘ Handy phrases at the pharmacy

  • I need medicine for a headache: Man reikia vaistΕ³ nuo galvos skausmo (Man RAY-kya VAIS-too nuo gal-VOS SKAUS-mo)
  • I have a stomachache: Man skauda pilvΔ… (Man SKAU-da PIL-vah)
  • I'm allergic to...: AΕ‘ esu alergiΕ‘kas/alergiΕ‘ka... (Ash EH-soo ah-lehr-GISH-kas...)
  • Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Kur yra artimiausia vaistinΔ—? (Kur EE-ra ar-tee-MYAU-sya VAIS-tee-neh?)
  • I need a doctor: Man reikia gydytojo (Man RAY-kya gee-DEE-to-yo)

πŸ’‘ Tips

EurovaistinΔ— and Camelia are major pharmacy chains. Green cross marks pharmacies. Pharmacists are knowledgeable and many speak English in Vilnius.

πŸͺ Pharmacy Chains You’ll See

Most pharmacies in this country are independent rather than chain-branded. Look for the universal pharmacy markers: a green cross sign in most of Europe and Latin America, a red ‘A’ (Apotheke) in German-speaking countries, or local-language signage like apteka, lΓ©kárna, or farmacia.

πŸ’Š Common OTC Medications by Local Brand

Knowing the local brand name makes asking for common over-the-counter medications much easier.

  • paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol generic or Panadol
    Generic 'paracetamol' is the most common name in pharmacies.
  • ibuprofen → Ibuprom or Nurofen
    Both are widely available.
  • loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium or Loperamid
    Available OTC at any pharmacy.

πŸ’‰ Medications & Restrictions

EU/EEA travelers should carry a Schengen certificate for controlled substances. Non-EU travelers need a doctor's letter in English. Keep medications in original packaging.

Controlled / Restricted Substances

🚫 Watch out for these

  • ⚠️ Codeine-containing medications β€” Prescription only in Lithuania.
  • ⚠️ Opioids and benzodiazepines β€” Schengen certificate required for EU travelers; doctor's letter for non-EU travelers.
  • 🚫 Cannabis/CBD products β€” Cannabis is illegal in Lithuania. CBD products may be restricted.

🦷 Dental Care

Availability: Good dental care in Vilnius and Kaunas at affordable prices.

Typical cost range: €25-60 for consultation; €40-120 for fillings; €40-150 for extractions

Several dental clinics in Vilnius cater to international patients. Good quality, competitive prices.

🦷 Dental emergency?

Private dental clinics offer emergency appointments. Hospital emergency departments available for dental trauma.

πŸ›‘οΈ Travel Insurance

⚠️ Strongly recommended

Average cost: $25-50/week

πŸ’‘ Tip

Healthcare is affordable. Insurance recommended for private hospital access and medical evacuation.

πŸ“‹ How to File an Insurance Claim

Private clinics provide English-language documentation. Public hospitals provide invoices. EU/EEA citizens present EHIC. Keep all receipts and medical records for insurance claims.

πŸ’΅ Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs

Estimated cash prices (USD):

  • Doctor visit (private clinic): $25-60
  • ER visit (no admission): $80-300
  • Overnight hospital stay: $150-500
  • Ambulance call-out: $30-150

Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs at private or international facilities. Public-system rates can be much lower (or free for residents). Actual costs vary by city, facility, and exchange rate.

🚁 Medical Evacuation

Local hospitals handle routine cases; for complex care that exceeds local capacity, regional referral options are well-established. Vienna and Munich are the standard regional referral hubs for Central and Eastern European travelers.

Primary destination: Vienna or Munich

Secondary destination: Berlin or Frankfurt

Typical cost band: $15,000-60,000

Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS β€” compare current quotes and policy terms before relying on any single provider.

πŸ’‰ Vaccinations

Recommended

  • 🟑 Tick-borne Encephalitis (for rural/forested areas, especially Curonian Spit and eastern Lithuania)

No mandatory vaccinations. Lithuania has tick-borne encephalitis risk in forested areas. Ensure routine vaccinations are current.

🚰 Water & Food Safety

βœ… Tap water is safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Lithuania.

Food Safety Tips

Lithuanian food is hearty and safe. Traditional dishes like cepelinai and őaltibarőčiai are well-prepared. Dairy products are of good quality.

🧠 Mental Health Resources

πŸ†˜ Crisis Line: 116 123 (Emotional Support Line, free, 24/7)

International crisis support: 112 for psychiatric emergencies

English-speaking therapists: Available in Vilnius. Expect €40-70 per session.

Mental health services available in Vilnius. English-speaking therapists can be found through private practice.

β™Ώ Accessibility

Accessibility is improving. Vilnius Old Town has cobblestones that pose challenges, but newer areas are better adapted.

Hospital accessibility: Major hospitals are wheelchair accessible.

Accessible transport: Vilnius buses are partially accessible. Accessible taxis available with booking.

πŸ’‘ Accessibility tips

Vilnius Old Town is hilly with cobblestones. The new city center and shopping areas are more accessible.

🫁 COVID & Respiratory Illness

Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.

Mask policy: No mask requirements.

Testing availability: Tests available at pharmacies and clinics.

Lithuania has lifted all COVID restrictions.

🚨 Emergency Contacts

πŸ†˜ Emergency: 112

πŸ“ž 112 also works as the universal EU emergency number

πŸ“š Sources & References

Data compiled from official government health sources, WHO, and traveler-reported information.

⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before traveling and verify current entry requirements with official sources.