Public health insurance during job search to non-EU with a dual Employee Card
Losing your job is stressful on its own. Losing health insurance with it doesn’t help.
We come with good news! The Czech system now gives you some breathing room. As a non-EU citizen with a dual Employee Card, you can stay covered by public health insurance for the whole period you are officially allowed to search for a new job (90 days).
It’s not automatic. You have to register at the Czech Labour Office. This ensures that your healthcare coverage continues even while you are between jobs.
Note: A dual employee card in the Czech Republic combines both a work permit and a residence permit, typically for foreigners who need both for employment. A non-dual employee card is only a residence permit because the holder already has free access to the labour market (e.g., they graduated from a Czech university).
Feature picture: Health Centre in Brno at Zahradníkova. Author: Renáta Prucklová
Health insurance coverage period
You can stay in the public health insurance system from the day you register at the Labour Office until 90 days pass from the date your original contract ended.
Example: If your employment contract ends on 1 March, your coverage under this system can last until 30 May. However, if you register yourself at the Labour Office on April 15, then you can stay registered in the system of public health insurance only from April 15 to May 30.
You cannot stay in the system longer because you have exactly 90 days to look for a job before your dual Employee Card becomes invalid.
State-paid category
During this period, you will be placed in the state-paid category of public health insurance. This means that you don’t have to pay for the insurance yourself — the state covers the costs for you.
No requirement for unemployment benefits
You don’t need to be eligible for unemployment benefits in order to be registered in the public health insurance system.
Your registration as an active job candidate at the Labour Office is enough for you to be included in the public health insurance system under this rule. However, if you are eligible for unemployment benefits, do apply for them too — they can provide additional financial support while you look for work. Here is our guide that explains how.
Step-by-step guide: How to register for public health insurance while looking for a new job
Once your employment ends and you have collected all necessary documents from your former employer, follow these steps in the order they are written here:
- Visit the local Immigration Office (OAMP Brno, Tuřanka 115b)
Apply for a confirmation about a dual or non-dual Employee Card (Potvrzení o duální a neudální kartě in Czech). Only holders of a dual Employee Card can register for public health insurance at this time. It will be issued on the spot. The confirmation costs 50 CZK. (Let us know if there are problems with your application) - Register at the Labour Office as an active job candidate
With your Immigration Office confirmation, go to the Labour Office and register. Follow this link for more information. - Ask for confirmation of your registration
When finalising your registration as an active job candidate, request a confirmation from the clerk. It will be issued on the spot. - Visit your health insurance company
Take both confirmations (Immigration Office and Labour Office) to the insurance company of your choice. They will register you in the public health insurance system under the state-paid category, ensuring coverage during your job search.
This measure is designed to make sure that you are protected and supported while you are between jobs. As long as you stay properly registered at the Labour Office, you will keep your access to public healthcare during your 90-day job search period — without any extra costs.
Take this time to focus on finding the right new opportunity. The system is here to help you stay safe, healthy, and legally covered while you take your next steps in the Czech Republic.
Note: If you are a holder of a blue card residence permit, a researcher residence permit, or an internally relocated worker residence permit, you can also remain in the public health insurance system for the whole period you are allowed to look for a new job. You do not even have to visit the immigration office to get any confirmation there, the confirmation about being registered as an active job candidate at the labour office will be enough. On the other hand, if you are a holder of a non-dual employee card, you cannot be in the public health insurance system and you cannot apply for the unemployment benefit either.
