Rehabilitation in Latvia
getting state-funded rehabilitation and how long the wait is
- Certification check: State register of medical practitioners (opens in a new window)
- Professional body: Latvian Association of Rehabilitation Doctors (opens in a new window)
- Noticed outdated info? Report it
A rehabilitation physician draws up a recovery plan after an injury, operation or stroke. The doctor explains which exercises will help, and how long it will take to regain your strength.
The consultation happens over video, so it works the same in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Ventspils and Rēzekne.
No verified doctor in this specialty yet
We check every certificate by hand, so the list grows step by step. Choose another specialty or start with a family doctor.
Other rehabilitation physicians in Latvia
These doctors have not confirmed their profile yet, so they cannot be booked for now.
- Nikolajs Avercevs
- Aija Avota
- Anna Bardavska
- Evija Bērziņa
- Guna Bērziņa
- Daiga Bruzgule
Known specialists in Latvia
Physical and rehabilitation medicine doctors: Aelita Gaile; Aija Avota; Anna Petrovska; Anna Zakajeva; Antonija Poželene; Daiga Onužāne; Dainis Kalnačs; Eva Goba; Irēna Paidere; Jolanta Sinka; Jūlija Jurčenko; Jūlija Čerešņeva; Kristīne Dzene; Līga Kaufmane; Matīss Mežals; Rita Seske; Sandra Seimane; Zaiga Kalnbērza-Ribule; Ļubova Butlere.
Rehabilitation doctors: Anna Jakovļeva; Anna Lopatina.
Occupational therapists: Elza Sebre; Inga Narodovska; Jekaterīna Grasmane; Karīna Zatonska; Katrīna Grizāne; Klinta Pampale; Kristiāna Avotiņa; Kristiāna Pogule; Kristīne Haberkorne; Sabīne Mikulāne-Dzelzkalēja; Sandis Šeršņevs; Vita Metuma.
Physiotherapists: our current list contains 136 entries, the largest professional group in this dataset. The full list is available through the platform's search.
For some specialists the list records separately whether they work with children or adults.
When to call 113 instead of booking
- Sudden one-sided weakness, or speech or vision problems. These are stroke signs.
- Rapidly progressing leg weakness or inability to walk.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control together with back pain.
- Injury with a suspected fracture or spinal damage.
- Rapid deterioration in a patient after stroke or surgery.
Rehabilitation is planned care and does not replace emergency treatment.
The rehabilitation team
Rehabilitation involves several professions, each with a distinct role.
| Specialist | What they do |
|---|---|
| Physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor | Assesses the patient's condition, selects patients, draws up the rehabilitation plan and issues the referral for services |
| Physiotherapist | Works on restoring movement function |
| Physiotherapy assistant | Delivers rehabilitation services within the plan |
| Occupational therapist | Works on restoring daily activities and independence |
| Clinical speech therapist | Works on speech, language and swallowing difficulties |
| Rehabilitation nurse | Provides care throughout the rehabilitation process |
The National Health Service states that home rehabilitation under the agreed plan is delivered by a physiotherapist, physiotherapy assistant, occupational therapist or clinical speech therapist.
The two-step referral and its exception
The usual route to state-funded rehabilitation has two steps:
- 1First see the family doctor, who assesses your condition and medical indications and, where needed, issues a referral to a rehabilitation doctor or physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor.
- 2That doctor then selects patients and issues the referral for the rehabilitation services themselves.
The exception that shortens the route. Public sources state that where state-funded outpatient rehabilitation of up to 5 sessions is needed, the referral can also be issued by a family doctor who holds a National Health Service contract and can assess the patient's functional limitations.
The same sources note that there are few rehabilitation doctors in Latvia while demand is high, and that because the service is delivered within state quotas a queue is close to unavoidable. Outpatient rehabilitation, without a hospital stay, is comparatively more available across providers than inpatient rehabilitation.
Glossary
- Medical rehabilitation
- treatment aimed at restoring functional ability.
- Functional limitations
- impairments affecting the ability to carry out daily activities.
- Outpatient rehabilitation
- rehabilitation without a hospital stay.
- Day hospital
- a setting where the patient attends during the day.
- Form No. 027/u
- the extract from the patient's medical record required on arrival.
- Dynamic monitoring
- repeat rehabilitation courses for patients with chronic functional impairment.
- Quota
- a state-funded slot for a service at a provider.
- Rehabilitation plan
- the doctor's plan that the therapy team works to.
Where rehabilitation happens
Outpatient rehabilitation
Public sources name the Children's Clinical University Hospital, the National Rehabilitation Centre "Vaivari", the Latgale region rehabilitation centre "Rāzna", the "Līgatne" rehabilitation centre, the "Jaunķemeri" spa rehabilitation centre, Vidzeme Hospital, the Tērvete rehabilitation centre, the Krimulda rehabilitation centre and the "Baltezers" rehabilitation centre.
Inpatient rehabilitation
The National Health Service also names Rīga 2nd Hospital and Daugavpils Regional Hospital among inpatient providers.
Rehabilitation at home
The National Health Service publishes a list of providers delivering state-funded rehabilitation at home. Stroke patients can receive it at home within the healthcare-at-home service.
Current provider lists and queue lengths are published by the National Health Service (opens in a new window), which notes that queue data is received from providers once a month.
How to verify credentials
- 1Open Health Inspectorate - register of medical practitioners (registri.vi.gov.lv) (opens in a new window).
- 2Enter the specialist's surname or practitioner identifier.
- 3Look for the relevant profession: "Fizikālās un rehabilitācijas medicīnas ārsts", "Rehabilitologs", "Fizioterapeits", "Ergoterapeits" or "Audiologopēds".
- 4Check the registration or certificate validity date.
- 5For state-funded services, check that both specialist and provider hold a National Health Service contract.
Finding your place in the queue
The National Rehabilitation Centre "Vaivari" describes the process:
- Patients are referred for rehabilitation by a physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor.
- The centre enters the patient in a waiting register.
- When your place comes up, the centre telephones with the date to attend.
- To find out the approximate planned date, send an application signed with a secure electronic signature to rinda@nrc.lv, giving your name, personal identity number and a callback telephone number.
Public sources note that a patient's condition can change during the wait, for instance if another operation happens or a different illness begins, in which case the original referral is no longer current and the doctor must be seen again.
How to choose
- Outpatient or inpatient. Outpatient rehabilitation is more available, so where the condition allows it is the faster route.
- The five-session route. If up to five outpatient sessions are needed, a family doctor can issue the referral and the wait for a rehabilitation doctor is avoided.
- Rehabilitation at home. If getting about is difficult, ask about home-based rehabilitation.
- Children. Paediatric rehabilitation has its own provider list, and the service is state-funded with a referral.
- The private route. If the queue is not acceptable, rehabilitation doctor and therapist consultations can be paid for privately.
What to bring
The National Rehabilitation Centre "Vaivari" states that on arrival for state-funded rehabilitation the patient must present an extract from their medical record, form No. 027/u.
Also useful:
- The physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor's referral or e-referral.
- Previous test results and hospital discharge summaries.
- A full list of medicines taken.
- Proof of exemption from the patient co-payment, if applicable.
Cost
In the public system the patient pays the co-payment, except for exempt groups.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Specialist visit with a referral | 4.00 EUR (National Health Service of Latvia (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Day hospital, per day | 7.00 EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Inpatient care, from the second day | 10.00 EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Children under 18 | 0.00 EUR (NVD, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Rehabilitation doctor and therapist consultation without a referral | per provider price list EUR (RC "Rāzna" (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
The "Rāzna" rehabilitation centre states that where a patient has no family doctor or specialist referral, no physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor referral, or declines to wait in the queue, the rehabilitation doctor and therapist consultations and other rehabilitation services can be obtained privately.
Professional associations and oversight
Two organisations represent the field:
- Latvijas Ārstu rehabilitologu asociācija, registration number 40008033635, contacts Anda Nulle and Uģis Beķeris, Latvian Association of Rehabilitation Physicians (prm.lv) (opens in a new window).
- Latvijas rehabilitācijas ārstu biedrība, registration number 40008268272, contact Illa Mihejeva.
Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association (opens in a new window). The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.
Patient rights and complaints
If you have doubts about the quality of care, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, a written submission goes to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement, and is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site (opens in a new window).
FAQ
How do I get state-funded rehabilitation?
First the family doctor, then a rehabilitation doctor or physical and rehabilitation medicine doctor, who issues the referral for services.
Do I always have to see a rehabilitation doctor?
Not always. Public sources state that for outpatient rehabilitation of up to five sessions, a family doctor with a National Health Service contract can issue the referral.
How long is the wait?
The service runs within quotas, so a queue is close to unavoidable. Queue lengths are published by the National Health Service, using data received from providers monthly.
How do I find my place in the Vaivari queue?
Send an application signed with a secure electronic signature to rinda@nrc.lv, giving your name, personal identity number and telephone number.
Can rehabilitation be delivered at home?
Yes. The National Health Service publishes a list of providers offering state-funded rehabilitation at home, and stroke patients can receive it within the healthcare-at-home service.
This page was reviewed by Sergejs Ponomarjovs, from the E-Medicīna team. More about us.
Sources, last-reviewed footer and fact-check
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
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