EIMIN proposal on inclusion of spouses of foreign nationals in compulsory health insurance system submitted to the Seimas
The Seimas has approved, for consideration, amendments to the Law on Compulsory Health Insurance, drafted on the initiative of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, which propose to include the spouses of third-country nationals working in Lithuania in the Lithuanian health insurance system.
“We want to create the right conditions for families already living and working here to build a future in Lithuania. The current situation is that highly skilled workers are considering working in other countries because their families are not getting the healthcare they need. This poses a problem for investors and for us, as it reduces our country’s competitiveness in the region,” said Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
The draft law proposed by EIMIN aims to include spouses (or registered partners) (with the spouses or registered partners having permits of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania) of nationals of the Republic of Lithuania, of foreigners permanently residing in Lithuania and of foreigners having permits of temporary residence in the Republic of Lithuania, who are covered by the compulsory health insurance (CHI), in the group of persons covered by the CHI.
“Although companies often provide private insurance for spouses and registered partners of foreign nationals working in Lithuania, this does not guarantee all the healthcare services they need. As a result, individuals decide to look for job opportunities abroad and we lose skilled workers in Lithuania. It is therefore necessary to address this problem before companies face an even greater talent drain,” says Karolis Žemaitis, Deputy Minister of the Economy and Innovation.
One in five foreign direct investment companies has already faced the departure of specialists from Lithuania due to the unavailability of healthcare services for their spouses or registered partners, as shown by a survey conducted by Invest Lithuania. If this problem is not solved, it is predicted that another 20% of highly qualified workers will leave Lithuania.
It is hoped that if the amendments to the law are adopted by the Seimas in the autumn session, it will improve the conditions for attracting and retaining highly skilled workers from non-EU countries, and will solve the problem of access to healthcare services for the spouses of those who have arrived with them.
Last updated: 03-07-2023
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