Health, vaccinations and medical care in Lithuania

Cover

• EU and EEA visitors: carry your EHIC. UK visitors: the GHIC does the same job. Neither is travel insurance.
• Travel insurance still matters for repatriation and private clinics.
• Private clinics in Vilnius are quick and inexpensive by western European standards if you would rather not wait.

Ticks: the one to take seriously

• Lithuania has one of the highest rates of tick-borne encephalitis in Europe. This is not a marginal risk here, and it is the single most useful thing on this page if you are going anywhere green.
• The season runs roughly April to October and the whole country is a risk area.
• The vaccine is genuinely worth having if you are hiking, camping, cycling the spit or spending any real time outdoors. Discuss it with a travel clinic well before you go - the course takes weeks.
• Lyme disease is the commoner infection. Cover up in long grass and woodland, use repellent, and check yourself every evening.
• Remove a tick promptly with fine tweezers, straight out, without twisting or burning.

Everyday health

• Tap water is safe to drink.
• Pharmacies (vaistine) are well stocked and pharmacists advise on minor problems.
• Care is good in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda, thinner in rural areas.
• Bring enough prescription medicine for the trip plus a margin, in original packaging with a copy of the prescription.