Focus on Latvian Investment Immigration and Life in Latvia: The Latvian government has recently passed a new medical fundraising law that will implement mandatory health insurance and link medical services to personal income tax payments. The law stipulates that 3.65% of personal income tax will be allocated specifically for medical services, but the tax burden on residents will not increase. Additionally, all residents of Latvia (regardless of whether they have paid personal income tax) will have access to basic medical services, including emergency medical care, treatment for specific diseases, and government-designated medications.
The law provides health insurance for 19 groups: children under 18, retirees, disabled individuals, unemployed persons, students (including vocational students), etc. Other residents not included in the aforementioned groups must pay for health insurance before they can access medical services. Health insurance is divided into two categories: one is a monthly payment of 28 euros, and the other is a one-time payment equivalent to three months of the minimum wage.
This law will take effect on July 1, 2014, with a 12-month transition period during which all residents of Latvia can access national medical services. Starting from July 1, 2015, these medical services will only be available to residents who have paid personal income tax or have separately paid for health insurance.
