Medicines on Latvian Prescription Abroad: In Which EU Countries This Is Possible and What Is Important to Know Before Traveling

Latvia participates in the European system of cross-border exchange of electronic medical data. Thanks to this, residents of the country can purchase prescribed medications at pharmacies in several EU countries without the need to obtain a new prescription from a local doctor. However, before traveling, it is advisable to find out whether such a system operates in the destination country and what conditions must be met. ## In Which Countries Latvian Electronic Prescriptions Are Valid Currently, medications prescribed via electronic prescriptions issued in Latvia can be purchased in the following countries: - Czech Republic; - Estonia; - Greece; - Croatia; - Cyprus; - Lithuania; - Poland; - Finland; - Spain — only in certain regions. Thus, the possibility of using a Latvian electronic prescription is available in nine EU countries, but in Spain, it does not cover the entire territory of the country. Conversely, residents of the listed countries can purchase medications with their electronic prescriptions at Latvian pharmacies. Current information about the regions in Spain where the system operates can be found on the [website of the Spanish Ministry of Health](https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/areas/saludDigital/recetaElectronicaUE/mapaRecetaEspa.htm). ## What to Present at the Pharmacy Abroad If during the trip there is a need to purchase a prescribed medication, one should go to the pharmacy and inform the pharmacist that you are a resident of Latvia and wish to use a Latvian electronic prescription. To confirm your identity, you must present a passport or eID identity card. The pharmacist will be able to obtain information about the prescription through the cross-border medical data exchange system if the relevant service is supported in the country and pharmacy. It is important to keep in mind that not all countries allow partial dispensing of medications via electronic prescriptions. In countries where this option is provided, the patient may receive only part of the prescribed quantity of the medication. The remaining medications can subsequently be purchased in Latvia using the same prescription. The system will reflect whether the medication was issued completely or partially. ## Which Medications Cannot Be Purchased with a Latvian Electronic Prescription Even in countries connected to the system, there are restrictions. You cannot purchase the following with a Latvian electronic prescription abroad: - medications containing narcotic or psychotropic substances; - medications listed in the prescription in free text form, such as individually compounded medications; - unregistered medicinal products; - medications on Latvian electronic prescriptions issued with the active substance specified. The last restriction is particularly important for people who take medications regularly. Not every electronic prescription valid in Latvia is automatically suitable for use abroad. Therefore, before departure, it is advisable to check with a doctor or pharmacist whether a specific medication can be purchased in the destination country. ## What to Do If the Medication in Latvia Is Compensated by the State Separate rules apply to medications whose costs are fully or partially covered by the Latvian state budget. If a patient purchases such a medication in another EU country, they will initially have to pay for the purchase themselves. After returning to Latvia, they can apply to the National Health Service (NVD) for reimbursement of expenses. Compensation is provided in accordance with the current rules for reimbursement of medication costs in Latvia. This means that one cannot expect to automatically receive medication abroad at the Latvian subsidized price. ## Can You Buy Medications on a Child's or Relative's Prescription In some EU countries, it is allowed for another person to obtain medications on an electronic prescription on behalf of the patient. For example, this could be a parent of a minor child, a guardian, or a person to whom the patient has granted the relevant authority through the Latvian E-veselība system. However, this option is not provided in all countries. If local rules allow a representative of the patient to obtain the medication, it will be necessary to provide data for both the patient and the authorized person. Therefore, before traveling with children or elderly relatives, it is advisable to clarify the procedure for obtaining medications in the specific country in advance. ## In Which Countries Doctors Can See a Patient's Medical Data from Latvia In addition to electronic prescriptions, Latvia participates in the international exchange of basic medical data about patients. This is especially important if a person unexpectedly falls ill, gets injured, or ends up in a hospital during their travels. Within the system, medical professionals can access certain information from E-veselība, particularly registered diagnoses and information about surgical interventions in the last six months. Countries participating in the cross-border exchange of basic medical data include: - Czech Republic; - Estonia; - France; - Greece; - Croatia; - Cyprus; - Malta; - Netherlands; - Portugal; - Finland; - Spain. However, there is an important exception here. The exchange of medical data with Finland and Croatia currently works only in one direction. Latvian medical institutions can receive basic medical data about patients from these countries, but the transfer of data about Latvian residents to Finnish and Croatian institutions will be implemented gradually. Consequently, it cannot be expected that a doctor in Finland or Croatia will be able to obtain information about a Latvian patient through this system. ## Why This May Be Important in an Emergency Situation Access to medical information is especially useful in cases where the patient cannot independently tell the doctor about their health. For example, if a person is unconscious or has difficulty communicating due to a language barrier. With an identity document and the technical capability, medical professionals can obtain the necessary information through the European data exchange system. This allows for quicker decisions regarding treatment and consideration of already known diagnoses of the patient. Access is provided within the established rules, and requests for medical data are recorded in the E-veselība system. ## Where to Get Additional Information Details about cross-border electronic medical services can be found on official resources: - [Latvian Digital Health Center — Cross-Border E-veselība Services](https://ldvc.lv/parrobezu-e-veselibas-pakalpojumi-iedzivotajiem/). - [E-veselība Portal — Electronic Medical Services Abroad](https://eveseliba.gov.lv/sakums/p%C4%81rrobe%C5%BEu-e-vesel%C4%ABbas-pakalpojumi). The E-veselība user support service is also available at 67803300. Experts advise checking the availability of necessary medications, the validity of prescriptions, and the possibility of their use in the destination country before traveling abroad. The main thing travelers should remember is that the Latvian electronic prescription is not valid throughout the European Union, and even in connected countries, there are restrictions. Therefore, for people who regularly take medications, it is safer to prepare a necessary supply of medications in advance rather than rely solely on purchasing them at a foreign pharmacy.