Top 10 Health Insurance Options for Overseas International Students in Latvia

In Latvia, health insurance is mandatory for international students. You need to show proof of insurance when applying for your visa and residence permit.

Non-EU/EEA students must buy private health insurance. This insurance must cover medical care in Latvia and all Schengen countries for your entire stay. Minimum coverage is €42,600, but plans can go up to €50,000 or €100,000. The policy must cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, medical transport, and repatriation.

EU or EEA students can use their EHIC card for public healthcare in Latvia. However, EHIC doesn’t cover dental care, private clinics, repatriation, or travel emergencies. Private insurance is highly recommended for comprehensive coverage.

Your policy must match your residence permit dates and be valid across all Schengen countries. Insurers need to provide coverage guarantees approved by Latvian immigration authorities. Now, let’s examine the top ten providers ideal for students in Latvia.

The Top 10 Providers: What You Need to Know

1. Swisscare

Coverage Highlights: Medical care, accidents, hospital stays, search and rescue, repatriation, and 24/7 assistance.
Visa Compliance: Fully meets Latvian requirements.
Emergency/Repatriation: Included.
Price: Approximately €50–200/year, depending on plan length.
Key Benefit: Instant policy issuance online. Well-recognised by universities and embassies. Ideal for students staying less than a year.

Specific Tip: Purchase your Swisscare policy before arrival. Download the certificate immediately for visa processing. Keep a digital copy and print it for your residence permit appointment.

2. AXA Global

Coverage Highlights: Worldwide expat and student plans offering up to €100,000 coverage. Includes hospitalisation, specialist care, emergency transport, and virtual GP access.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Covered.
Price: Variable; requires quote.
Key Benefit: Global brand with strong customer support and easy claims. Flexible tiers like Silver, Gold, Platinum.

Actionable Advice: Request quotes from AXA’s student plan option. Compare the premium differences between tiers. Opt for the plan easiest to cancel or extend once in Latvia, just in case your study duration changes.

3. Perks

Coverage Highlights: Medical care, outpatient, hospitalisation, pharmacy costs.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Yes.
Price: €25–400/year based on plan.
Key Benefit: Local Baltic insurer. It offers mobile app-based claims and simple enrolment.

Pro Tip: For low-cost plans, Perks is a sensible option. Pick the mid-tier plan for enough coverage without overspending. Use the app when you visit a clinic to upload receipts quickly in English.

4. ERGO

Coverage Highlights: Hospitalisation, emergencies, ambulance, medical transport, and repatriation.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Included.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: A well-known local insurer in Latvia and the Baltic region. Easy to find in multiple cities.

What to Do: Visit an ERGO branch or their website. Ask for a Schengen student policy explicitly. Request the formal policy letter for visa offices. Keep both a digital and paper copy.

5. IF P&C (Insurance Company P&C)

Coverage Highlights: Basic private student health, hospitalization, ambulance coverage, outpatient care.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Covered.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: One of the Baltic region’s leading insurers. Policies available online or in person.

Suggestion: If you’re already living in the Baltics, swing by IF’s local office. Ask for student plans in plain English. Some offices let you pay monthly by card or bank transfer.

6. Compensa Life

Coverage Highlights: Hospital, specialist consultations, ambulance, and Schengen-wide coverage.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Included.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: Available through both online and in-person sales. Recognised across Latvia.

Quick Tip: Use Compensa’s online calculator to get a price estimate in seconds. If the quote looks competitive, add a policy. Download the PDF certificate immediately for immigration.

7. BTA Insurance

Coverage Highlights: Illness, emergency medical care, accidents, hospitalisation.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Included.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: One of the largest Latvian insurers. Broad agent network in Riga, Daugavpils, and Liepāja.

Tip: If you’re arriving in person, visit a BTA agent when you arrive. Ask for a student Schengen-required plan and have them draft your certificate in both English and Latvian.

8. Gjensidige

Coverage Highlights: Health, accidents, hospitalization, doctor consultations, emergency care.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Covered.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: Nordic-based insurer with strong Baltic presence and English-language support.

Actionable Step: Send an email to Gjensidige’s Baltic office requesting a student plan quote. Specify your course dates and coverage needs. Get a PDF certificate ready before travel.

9. International Student Insurance (ISI)

Coverage Highlights: Student-specific plans with hospitalization, outpatient care, mental health support, travel and repatriation.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Covered.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: Popular among US and Canadian students in Europe. Offers scalable coverage and fast digital signup.

Advice: On ISI’s site, choose a European provider option and select “Latvia.” You can adjust deductibles and add-ons. Pay online and download your certificate instantly for visa documentation.

10. MSH International

Coverage Highlights: Hospital, outpatient, repatriation, maternity (if needed), world-wide cover.
Visa Compliance: Yes.
Emergency/Repatriation: Covered.
Price: Quote-based.
Key Benefit: Highly customizable plans used by global expats and students. English-speaking customer service.

Tip: Contact MSH through their global website. Request a student quote for Schengen coverage. Provide your arrival and study duration details. They will reply with a quote and a certificate template approved by Latvian immigration.

Practical Advice: How to Choose and Use Your Plan

1. Start Early

Don’t procrastinate. Many embassies require proof during the visa process. If your carrier provides instant online documents, ensure you obtain them before traveling.

2. Match the Dates

Ensure your insurance matches your residence permit dates. Arriving early? Cover those extra days. Extending studies? Renew before it expires. Immigration scrutinizes this closely.

3. Get Multiple Quotes

Don’t accept the first price. Check each provider’s coverage limits and exclusions. Compare benefits. Choose the plan offering the best value, not just the lowest cost.

4. Verify Language and Certificate Format

Insurance documents should be in English, with a Latvian summary if required. Verify with the insurer that their certificate format is approved by Latvian immigration offices.

5. Understand What’s Covered

Check whether your plan includes:

Hospital stays and surgeries
Emergency transport
Repatriation if you need to return home due to severe illness
Outpatient visits (GP or specialist)
Ambulance services
Optional cover: dental, liability, maternity, mental health

6. Use Reputable Names

Swisscare, AXA, and MSH are globally acknowledged, which can expedite visa and permit approvals. Local providers like BTA or Perks are also valid, provided the certificate is properly formatted.

7. Access to Care in Latvia

Language barriers pose challenges despite having insurance. Some private clinics cater to English speakers. Verify which insurer collaborates with English-speaking clinics in Riga or your university town before deciding.

8. Keep Both Paper and Digital Copies

Keep a printed and digital copy of your insurance certificate. Immigration, universities, and hospitals might request it.

Why This Matters: Student Life in Latvia

Latvia is inviting, secure, and modern, yet mishaps occur. Sports can chip teeth. Travel delays stress you out. Illness strikes suddenly. Insurance provides assurance and clarity, eliminating cost worries. You can visit a dentist or doctor, even in English, without a hefty bill. Universities prioritize health, especially during labs or field trips. Some offer campus emergency services, but not always. A private plan ensures peace of mind. In essence, robust insurance enhances your studies, allowing you to concentrate on academics and your international experience. Don’t just opt for basic coverage. Choose one that suits your needs.

Final Thoughts

International students in Latvia must have health insurance. It’s essential, especially for those from outside the EU/EEA. You need proof of coverage valid from your arrival, for your entire stay, and accepted by immigration. Pick a reputable insurer. Compare options. Know what’s covered and when. Get your documents in advance. Swisscare and local insurers like Perks or BTA are efficient choices. AXA, MSH, ISI, or IMG provide global coverage for longer stays or international travel plans.

Your health. Your budget. Your academic experience. Insure it smartly. Be prepared. You’ll thank yourself later.

✅ Top 10 Health Insurance Providers for Overseas International Students in Latvia (as listed in the blog):

Swisscare
AXA Global
Perks
ERGO
IF P&C
Compensa Life
BTA Insurance
Gjensidige
International Student Insurance (ISI)
MSH International

📚 References :

AXA. (n.d.). Student health insurance plans. https://www.axa.com
BTA Insurance. (n.d.). Health insurance services. https://www.bta.lv
Compensa Life. (n.d.). International student insurance. https://www.compensalife.lv
ERGO. (n.d.). Health insurance for foreigners. https://www.ergo.lv
European Commission. (2024). European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559
Gjensidige. (n.d.). Health and travel insurance. https://www.gjensidige.lv
IF P&C Insurance. (n.d.). Student and travel health plans. https://www.if.lv
International Student Insurance. (n.d.). Plans for students in Europe. https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com
MSH International. (n.d.). Student and expatriate health insurance. https://www.msh-intl.com
Swisscare. (n.d.). Student insurance for Latvia and Schengen area. https://www.swisscare.com