Pharmacies (vaistinė) & getting medicine in Lithuania

A pharmacy in Lithuania is called a vaistinė (look for the green cross). For minor things you can buy plenty over the counter; for anything stronger you need a doctor's prescription, which is almost always electronic.

Finding a pharmacy

Pharmacies are everywhere — in shopping centres, near clinics and on most high streets. The biggest chains you'll see are Eurovaistinė, Gintarinė vaistinė and Benu.

• Most open roughly 08:00–20:00 on weekdays, with shorter hours at weekends.
• Late-night and 24-hour pharmacies (budinti vaistinė) exist but are scarce — Vilnius has only a handful of round-the-clock options. Search "budinti vaistinė" plus your city to find one on duty.
• Maps apps work well: just search "vaistinė" near you.

What you can buy without a prescription

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are sold freely. Typically available without a prescription:

• Painkillers and fever reducers (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
• Cold, cough and sore-throat remedies
• Anti-allergy tablets
• Basic stomach/digestive remedies
• Plasters, antiseptics and first-aid basics

Pharmacists are well trained and many speak English, especially in cities. Describe your symptoms and they'll point you to the right product — but they cannot hand out prescription-only medicines.

How prescriptions work (e-prescription / e-receptas)

Lithuania uses electronic prescriptions. When a doctor prescribes something, they enter it into the national e-sveikata system. There's usually no paper to carry.

To collect a prescribed medicine:

1. Go to any pharmacy.
2. Show your passport or ID card.
3. The pharmacist looks up your prescription in the database and dispenses it.

You can view your own prescriptions, referrals and appointments by logging in to the e-sveikata portal or its mobile app (login is via the official government gateway).

Using an EU prescription

Lithuania exchanges e-prescription data with a growing list of EU countries — including Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Finland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Greece and Portugal (as of 2026 — confirm on e-sveikata). If you're from one of these and have a valid home e-prescription, a Lithuanian pharmacy can often dispense it. Some categories (narcotics, special preparations) are excluded.

• Non-EU students: prescriptions from outside the EU are generally not recognised. You'll need a local doctor to issue a Lithuanian prescription.
• Erasmus / exchange students: same as above — your home GP's note won't be read at the counter unless your country is in the EU exchange.

Costs and reimbursement

Reimbursement runs through the public system (VLK). Whether you qualify depends on your health insurance status — see our health-insurance guide. EU students with a valid EHIC are covered for medically necessary care on the same terms as locals; many medicines, though, are still paid out of pocket.

Bringing your own medicine

If you take regular or chronic-condition medication:

• Bring enough for your first weeks plus a doctor's note (in English) stating your diagnosis and the medicine's generic name.
• The brand you use at home may not exist here, but the active ingredient usually does — the generic name helps the pharmacist match it.
• Register with a local family doctor early so your prescriptions can continue without a gap.