Cross-border e-prescription use in Latvia continues to grow – new countries join
In the first half of 2026, the number of e-prescriptions issued in Latvia slightly decreased, but cross-border use rose by 7%, and foreigners used 43% more e-prescriptions in Latvia.
Although the total number of e-prescriptions in Latvia saw a slight decline in the first half of 2026 – over 9 million issued and over 7 million dispensed (5% less than the same period last year) – cross-border e-prescription usage continues to increase.
A total of 1,309 Latvian-issued e-prescriptions were used abroad, 7% more than in H1 2025. Conversely, foreigners redeemed 794 e-prescriptions issued in other countries within Latvia, a 43% increase. This growth is driven by the expansion of the cross-border network: in 2026, Finland, Croatia, and Cyprus joined, with Greece and Portugal expected to connect soon. Previously, Latvian residents could use e-prescriptions in Czechia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and parts of Spain.
“Although the overall number of e-prescriptions issued and dispensed in Latvia has slightly decreased in the first half of this year, we see a positive trend in cross-border e-prescription use. This shows that European digital health cooperation is becoming increasingly useful for people who travel, work, or stay abroad,” said Juris Gaiķis, board member of the Latvian Digital Health Centre.
Additionally, the e-Health system saw nearly 250,000 hospital discharge summaries (epicrises) submitted in 2026 (up 45%), 680,000 visual diagnostic exams, and 800,000 reports on such exams. The number of e-sick leave certificates remained stable: 670,000 opened and 600,000 closed. Laboratory test result reports were submitted by 26 institutions, totaling 2.3 million reports. Data is available in the e-Health statistics section.
