Patient rights in Czech healthcare: Fees, records and complaints

In the Czech Republic, people with public health insurance are entitled to standard healthcare services without paying extra. However, some treatments are only covered under specific conditions, and others may need to be paid for by the patient entirely. If you are unsure whether a service should be covered, you may check with your health insurance provider (or inspect the Public Health Insurance Act).

Always check that your healthcare provider has a contract with your health insurance company.

Healthcare providers – meaning doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other medical facilities – are not allowed to charge patients arbitrarily. While clinics may offer premium or additional services, these must always be optional, and a covered (free) alternative must be available.

There are several important rules:

1. Payments for covered care are not allowed

Doctors cannot ask you to pay for medical services (or related procedures) that are covered by public health insurance. So if your insurance pays, you should not have to pay again. If a doctor violates this rule, they may face significant fines (up to CZK 1,000,000).

Example: A hospital or specialist doctor cannot charge you extra for a standard examination, blood tests ordered as part of treatment, an X-ray that is medically indicated, or anaesthesia during a covered procedure.

2. Prices for non-covered services must be clear in advance

If a service is not covered (or only partially covered), the doctor can charge you only under certain conditions. The price must be clearly stated in an official price list and known to you before the service is provided. You should always know in advance how much you will pay. Again, charging for services that are not properly listed or disclosed can also lead to fines (up to CZK 50,000).

3. Care must not be conditional on payment or purchases

A doctor must not:

• refuse to accept you as a patient unless you pay a fee
• require payment as a condition for continuing your treatment
• force you to buy additional services or products that are not necessary for your care

This means that healthcare cannot be tied to “extra purchases” or hidden conditions. A healthcare provider breaching these rules could face fines (up to CZK 300,000).

What to do if a doctor asks for an illegal fee

If a doctor asks you to pay and you are not sure whether it is legal, you can:

• Contact your health insurance company – they can verify whether the charge is justified, or
• File a complaint with the Regional Authority (for Brno: Krajský úřad Jihomoravského kraje, odbor zdravotnictví) – they supervise healthcare providers and can impose fines.

You can also contact the Czech Medical Chamber.

If you have already paid, you may be able to claim the money back through the court. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a lawyer.

Right to medical records

Healthcare providers are required to keep your medical records and give you access to them. You have the right to view them free of charge or ask for a free copy. You are also allowed to take pictures of your records.

A fee may only be charged if:

• you ask the provider to make additional copies for you, or
• you request copies repeatedly.

Even then, the fee must only cover actual costs (such as printing or postage); no fixed rate fee is legal. Breaching these obligations by a doctor may also constitute an offence.

What if you are not satisfied with healthcare?

If you are unsatisfied with the healthcare you received, you have the right to complain. You can file a complaint directly with the doctor or healthcare facility. The complaint can be submitted by the patient, a legal representative (e.g. a parent), or a close person. The provider should respond within 30 days.

If you are not satisfied with the response, you can escalate the complaint to the relevant public authority (usually the Regional Authority) within 60 days. The Authority may review the case again, involve independent medical experts, and require corrective measures.

Errors in treatment

If a doctor’s mistake (e.g. incorrect treatment or diagnosis) causes harm to your health, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This is typically handled through a legal claim. In such situations, it is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer who can assess whether malpractice occurred, arrange expert opinions, and represent you in negotiations or in court.

Written in cooperation with JUDr. Kateřina Hájková, LL.M. – Attorney at Law specialised in medical, family, criminal and civil law. 

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