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The EHIC card: what it covers and how it differs from travel insurance
EVAK (the European Health Insurance Card, EHIC) is a free state-issued card that entitles you to emergency and necessary medical care in other European countries while travelling. However, many travellers mistakenly believe the EHIC alone is enough for a trip. In this article we explain what the card covers, how to get it and when you also need travel insurance.
What is the EHIC (EVAK) card?
The card confirms that its holder is insured in the Latvian healthcare system and can receive necessary or emergency medical care in another country to the same extent as residents of that country. It is issued by the National Health Service (NVD), is free of charge and valid for three years.
Where does the EHIC work?
The card works in the European Union and European Economic Area countries (including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein), Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Important: non-citizens of Latvia and third-country nationals cannot use it in Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Denmark.
Outside these countries - for example in Turkey, Egypt, the USA or Thailand - the EHIC does not work at all: there, only a travel insurance policy covers medical expenses.
What does the EHIC cover?
The EHIC entitles you to emergency and necessary care in state medical institutions under the rules and tariffs of the country you are in. This means: if local residents pay a patient fee for a visit, so will you.
What does the EHIC not cover?
- Repatriation - transport back to Latvia in case of serious illness or death (this can cost several thousand euros);
- Patient fees and co-payments - these are paid by the patient;
- Private clinics - in many tourist regions the nearest available help is precisely in private clinics;
- Rescue operations - for example, in the mountains after a skiing injury;
- Baggage, flight and trip cancellation risks - these are not medical services.
How to get the EHIC in Latvia?
- In person at an NVD customer service centre - the card is issued the same day;
- Online at latvija.gov.lv - applications are processed within 3 working days, the card is sent by post (delivery up to two weeks);
- With an e-signature - by sending the completed form to the NVD email.
The card is free; a repeat issue (for example, if lost) costs 3.13 EUR. For a child, the card is requested by parents or a legal representative.
EHIC or travel insurance?
| Coverage | EHIC card | Travel insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Price | free | calculated individually |
| Territory | EU, EEA, Switzerland, UK | worldwide |
| State medical institutions | yes, under local rules | yes |
| Private clinics | no | yes |
| Patient fees | no | yes |
| Repatriation | no | yes |
| Baggage, cancellation, active leisure | no | yes, depending on programme |
The EHIC and a policy do not replace but complement each other: the EHIC works in state institutions in Europe, while a policy covers repatriation, private clinics, patient fees and non-medical risks worldwide. Before your trip, take both - getting the EHIC costs nothing, and you can compare travel insurance offers and buy a policy online in a few minutes.