💳 VLK / TLK

EHIC card (ESDK)

The European Health Insurance Card (ESDK/EHIC) is a free card certifying you hold mandatory health insurance in Lithuania. With it, emergency medical care in EU/EEA countries, Switzerland and the UK is provided under the same conditions as for locals. The patient funds issue it free within 5 working days.

Service passportUpdated: 28.07.2026.
Cost
Free
Duration
Issued within 5 working days
Deadline
Valid only while PSD-insured
Where
esdk.vlk.lt or a patient fund office

Who this applies to

Anyone travelling in Europe who is PSD-insured in Lithuania. Important: if your PSD cover has lapsed, you may not use the card even before its expiry — care received would have to be repaid to the fund. ESDK covers neither co-payments abroad nor repatriation, so travel insurance is worth adding.

Step by step

Check your PSD insurance

Before ordering, make sure you are covered by mandatory health insurance — you can check on the VLK website.

Order the card

Electronically via esdk.vlk.lt or at a patient fund office with an ID document. On request the card is delivered free by registered mail to a Lithuanian address; parcel-terminal delivery is paid separately.

Forgot the card abroad? — the certificate

Logged into the VLK system via the e-government gateway, you can generate a certificate temporarily replacing the card for yourself and your minor children — it gives the same guarantees.

Common mistakes

Treating ESDK as travel insurance — it covers neither co-payments nor repatriation.
Using the card with lapsed PSD cover — fund-paid costs must be repaid.
Losing the card and not replacing it — a lost-card replacement can cost about 15 EUR.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the ESDK cost?

Issued and renewed free within 5 working days. Only parcel-terminal delivery or replacing a lost card may cost extra.

Where is the ESDK valid?

In EU and EEA countries, Switzerland and the UK — at public facilities contracted with the country's health funds.

What if I paid for the care myself?

Back in Lithuania, apply to the patient fund for reimbursement of the emergency-care costs.

Official sources

Verified against official sources · 28.07.2026.

See also