What's your situation? Choose from below to get the right information.

Are you an EU or non-EU citizen?

eu

non-eu

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

Automatically.

It is an obligation of your employer to register you in the insurance system. To one of the public health insurance companies, to the employer’s preference.

You are legally registered from the first day when you start your job. It may take a month or two to the employer to deliver the insurance card to you, but you can use the insurance anytime before that.

What happens if I quit my job?

Your employer automatically informs the insurance company and stops paying your insurance within 3 days.

If you are unemployed, you can continue with the same insurance company and pay as “a self-payer”; the amount changes every year (in 2021 it is 2,052 CZK a month). Or you may register as a jobseeker with the Labour office and the government will take over the payments until you have a taxable income again.

Learn more about the Labour office in the guide  When unemployed.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

The insurance premium is being sent to the insurance company by your employer.

If you have an employment contract or an employment agreement of work activity (“Dohoda o pracovní činnosti”) and your monthly income has reached a certain amount (at least 4.000,- CZK), your employer is obliged to pay your insurance premium.

You pay, your employer takes off, 4,5 % of your gross salary, and your employer pays 9 % on top.

If you suspect your employer (company, agency) is not paying health insurance premiums properly, you can obtain a receipt of what has been paid from your insurance company.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your blue insurance card is EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

Automatically.

It is an obligation of your employer to register you in the insurance system. To one of the public health insurance companies, to the employer’s preference.

You are legally registered from the first day when you start your job. It may take a month or two to the employer to deliver the insurance card to you, but you can use the insurance anytime before that.

What happens if I quit my job?

Your employer automatically informs the insurance company and you will be out of the public health insurance system the next day you are out of the job.

You need to prepay a commercial health insurance for foreigners to legally stay in the CR. You may prepay just a month or two or until you get employed again.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

The insurance premium is being sent to the insurance company by your employer.

If you have an employment contract or an employment agreement of work activity (“Dohoda o pracovní činnosti”) and your monthly income has reached a certain amount (at least 4.000,- CZK), your employer is obliged to pay your insurance premium.

You pay, your employer takes off, 4,5 % of your gross salary, and your employer pays 9 % on top.

If you suspect your employer (company, agency) is not paying health insurance premiums properly, you can obtain a receipt of what has been paid from your insurance company.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your green insurance card is valid only for the Czech Republic. For abroad you have to buy additinal travel insurance.

Once you reach the permanent residence status, you have to inform the insurance company and get a blue card.

Once you have a blue card, it is the ‘EHIC’ – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

As an EU citizen with a residence in the CR, you have to register with a public insurance system.

Visit the insurance company of your choice and bring your passport/ID and a copy of your Czech business licence or Czech temporary residence card or registration for jobseeker from the Labour office.

Don’t forget, you need to update the insurance company about your residence status, once you reach the permanent residence.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

If self-employment is your main economic activity, the amount paid in contributions depends on your income, but the minimum is 2,722 CZK/month (2023). In the first year of their trade licence, everyone starts with the minimum health care contribution, regardless of the (expected) annual income.

If you have a job as an employee and are using the trade licence for a secondary income, then you are not required to pay monthly advances. The contribution for the previous year depends on the total business profit.

When your income tax return is being prepared you or your accountant will also calculate whether the minimum health care contributions were enough or whether you must pay extra. Also, based on the income from the previous year, you will be informed by your accountant of the new monthly health care contribution for the current year.

The amount is determined by the profit achieved in the previous year. The assessment base for calculation of health insurance is 50% of the profit (gross income minus expenses equals profit). The health care contribution is 13.5% of the assessment base. In most cases – where the lump sum for expenses is 60% – this effectively amounts to about 2.7% of the income.

If the actual assessment base is lower than the minimum calculation basis, then the health care contribution is set at the minimum monthly advance mentioned above. 

Public health insurance must be paid before the 8th of the current month for each previous month. The contributions must be sent to the account of the health insurance company you have selected (from a total of six that are officially credited), with your IČO number as the variable code.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your blue insurance card is EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the commercial health insurance system.

In case you are a family member of an EU citizen, you might belong to the public health insurance system. Also, citizens of Albania, Algeria, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Marocco, Montenegro, Serbia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, USA; as well as non-EU nationals with a permanent residence permit belong to the public health insurance system. Contact us for more details.

Commercial (aka “private”) health insurance for foreigners is a form of health insurance intended for foreigners who cannot register for the public health insurance system.

All foreigners (non-EU) without permanent residency who reside in the CR on a long-term visa, long-term residency or temporary residency permit for any kind of purpose (study, do business, reunite with a family) are required to conclude the health insurance for settlement of medical expenses, for the minimum amount of EUR 400,000.

The commercial insurance differs from the public health insurance on principle, mainly with the existing indemnification limit, and also the scope of the covered care is limited.

There are two basic types of insurance:

  • health insurance for cases of emergency urgent care and for short stays only, called basic health insurance = základní zdravotní pojištění,
  • health insurance for cases of complex care and for stays over 90 days, called comprehensive health insurance = komplexní zdravotní pojištění
How do I enter the health insurance system?

You have to have a prepaid commercial health insurance for the full time of your expected stay and visa validity.

Contact any of the commercial health insurance company (see the contact details below) and choose the insurance plan to your preference.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

You need to prepay commercial health insurance, the price of which depends on gender and age, not on income. Non-EU nationals (without employment or permanent residency or EU family member) need to prepay the commercial health insurance for the full period of their expected stay regardless of their actual income.

The monthly insurance rate starts at about 1.000 CZK a month.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

No. You cannot legally stay in the CR without a valid insurance.

You have to prepay the commercial health insurance for foreigners. You can switch to public insurance only in certain situations (becoming employed, getting a permanent residence permit, marrying an EU citizen).

You can leave the system only if you move out of the country ultimately. There is an exception for holders of a permanent residency permit who plan to leave the country for over 6 months and inform their health insurance company in writing in advance. Once they return to the Czech Republic, they will only be allowed to return back to the Czech public health insurance system if they can prove that they were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when they were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Depends on what insurance plan have you prepaid.

You can have it only for the CR or for all Schengen countries – according to the conditions of your contract. You need to ask your insurance company

What does my insurance card cover?

That depends on your insurance plan and conditions. You need to find this out at your insurance company.

Usually, all necessary medical treatment with contracted medical facilities and doctors should be covered. Ask your insurance company for contacts.

If you receive medical care from a doctor or facility which does not have a contract with your insurance company, you may be required to pay in cash and later ask your insurance company for reimbursement.

You may be told that the insurance company will reimburse you; however, the insurance company will only pay up to certain limits or at specific rates. You will not be reimbursed for any amounts you paid over these limits. It is recommended, to always contact your insurance company before going to a doctor

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are currently 6 companies providing commercial health insurance. You can choose between them freely.

  1. Axa
  2. Maxima
  3. PVZP
  4. Slavia
  5. Uniqa
  6. SV

A comparison of private health insurance options is available here.

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

As an EU citizen with a residence in the CR, you have to register with a public insurance system.

Visit the insurance company of your choice and bring your passport/ID and a copy of your Czech business licence or Czech temporary residence card or registration for jobseeker from the Labour office.

Don’t forget, you need to update the insurance company about your residence status, once you reach the permanent residence.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

That depends on your economic activity. Whether you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.

Choose one of the options from the persona filters as EU citizen on the top.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your blue insurance card is EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

Once you have acquired Permanent residence status you have to join the public health insurance system.

Bring your new permanent residence card to the public health insurance company of your choice (see the list below) and register.

Ukrainians with the Temporary protection visa have to register to the public insurance system too. First 150 days the insurance is paid by the Czech state, after that, you need to take care of it on your own (pay via an employer, pay as an unemployed self-payer, have it covered as a child, pensioner, or mother taking care of a child)

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

That depends on your economic activity. Whether you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.

Choose one of the options from the persona filters as EU citizen on the top.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your blue insurance card is EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the public health insurance system.

All foreigners with an EU passport, whether economically active – employed or freelancing – or not, belong to the public health insurance system.

All non-EU foreigners who are

  • employed with a Czech employer,
  • have a permanent residence card,
  • are family members of an EU citizen, or
  • have Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees

belong to the public health insurance system.

How do I enter the health insurance system?

As an EU citizen with a residence in the CR, you have to register with a public insurance system.

Visit the insurance company of your choice and bring your passport/ID and a copy of your Czech business licence or Czech temporary residence card or registration for jobseeker from the Labour office.

Don’t forget, you need to update the insurance company about your residence status, once you reach the permanent residence.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

If you are unemployed, you can pay as “a person without a taxable income” 2 552 CZK a month (2024); or register as unemployed with the Labour office as an active job seeker, and the government will take over the payments until you have a taxable income again. Learn more about that in our guide When unemployed.

The State pays the contributions for the unemployed, pensioners, students, women on maternity leave, women taking care of one child less than 7 years old or more children less than 15 years old, prisoners, soldiers, and people receiving social security benefits.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

You cannot switch the public insurance system to commercial insurance or vice versa. If you are resident in the CR (for more than 3 months or as soon as economically active), you have to participate in the public health insurance system.

In case your life or work situation changes (e.g. your job finishes), you need to recontact your public health insurance company to make sure you remain in the public health insurance system in the right category (job seeker, parent looking after a minor child etc.).

You can take a break from the insurance payments in case you decide to move out form the Czech Republic for a longer period of time (3 months or more) with no intention to return any time soon but you need to deregister first.

However, if you are a holder of a permanent residency permit, you can only opt out of the public health insurance system in case you leave the country for over 6 months and inform your health insurance company in writing in advance. You will only be allowed to return back to the system if you can prove that you were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when you were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Your blue insurance card is EHIC – European Health Insurance Card. It is valid for emergency and urgent treatment in all EEA (EU+Norway+Iceland+Liechtenstein) countries and Switzerland.

The intention of the EHIC scheme is to allow people to continue their stay in a country without having to return home for medical care; as such, it does not cover people who have visited a country for the purpose of obtaining medical care, nor does it cover care, such as many types of dental treatment, which can be delayed until the individual returns to his or her home country.

It only covers healthcare which is normally covered by a statutory health care system in the visited country, so it does not render travel insurance obsolete.

What does my insurance card cover?

The public health insurance covers all services that are intended to improve or maintain the health of the insured, or to alleviate his or her suffering.

The insurance covers both ambulatory and institutional care, preventive care, the provision of medicines, drugs or medical devices, spa care and others.

This healthcare is provided free of charge to you in a healthcare facility that has a contract with your health insurance provider. However, in the case of acute need for medical treatment, you may not be refused in a medical facility that does not have a contract.

Only the basic material and treatment is paid in the case of dental treatment.

Only a small part of healthcare is excluded from the health insurance, for example cosmetic surgery without any health reason.

You always have to have the insurance card for every visit to a doctor or medical facility and, in case you have medicine from doctor’s prescription, for collecting your medicines at a pharmacy.

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are seven public insurance companies. You can choose between them freely.

All provide the same coverage of health care by law; the only difference can be an offer of some benefits, discounts, and allowances. You always pay the same insurance premium (set by law), no matter what company you choose.

Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna

General Health Insurance Company, 'VZP', 111


Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna

Trades Association Health Insurance Company 'OZP', 207


Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna

Military Health Insurance Company, 'VOZP', 201

  • Banskobystrická 1948/40
  • +420 541 429 811
  • vozp.cz/

Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra ČR

Ministry of Interior‘s Health Insurance Company, 'ZPMVCR', 211


Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna

Coalfield Brotherhood Cash Office, a health insurance company 'RBP', 213

  • Masarykova 34/413
  • +420 547 217 930

Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna

Czech Industrial Insurance Company 'CPZP', 205


Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda

Škoda Emplyoees’ Insurance Company, 'ZPS', 209

Which insurance system do I belong to?

You belong to the commercial health insurance system.

In case you are a family member of an EU citizen, you might belong to the public health insurance system. Also, non-EU nationals with a permanent residence permit belong to the public health insurance system. Contact us for more details.

Commercial (aka “private”) health insurance for foreigners is a form of health insurance intended for foreigners who cannot register for the public health insurance system.

All foreigners (non-EU) without permanent residency who reside in the CR on a long-term visa, long-term residency or temporary residency permit for any kind of purpose (study, do business, reunite with a family) are required to conclude the health insurance for settlement of medical expenses, for the minimum amount of EUR 400,000.

The commercial insurance differs from the public health insurance on principle, mainly with the existing indemnification limit, and also the scope of the covered care is limited.

There are two basic types of insurance:

  • health insurance for cases of emergency urgent care and for short stays only, called basic health insurance = základní zdravotní pojištění,
  • health insurance for cases of complex care and for stays over 90 days, called comprehensive health insurance = komplexní zdravotní pojištění
How do I enter the health insurance system?

You have to have a prepaid commercial health insurance for the full time of your expected stay and visa validity.

Contact any of the commercial health insurance company (see the contact details below) and choose the insurance plan to your preference.

Who pays my insurance and how much is it?

You need to prepay commercial health insurance, the price of which depends on gender and age, not on income. Non-EU nationals (without employment or permanent residency or EU family member) need to prepay the commercial health insurance for the full period of their expected stay regardless of their actual income.

The monthly insurance rate starts at about 1.000 CZK a month.

Can I interrupt or change or opt out of the insurance system?

No. You cannot legally stay in the CR without a valid insurance.

You have to prepay the commercial health insurance for foreigners. You can switch to public insurance only in certain situations (becoming employed, getting a permanent residence permit, marrying an EU citizen).

You can leave the system only if you move out of the country ultimately. There is an exception for holders of a permanent residency permit who plan to leave the country for over 6 months and inform their health insurance company in writing in advance. Once they return to the Czech Republic, they will only be allowed to return back to the Czech public health insurance system if they can prove that they were medically insured abroad during the whole period of time when they were absent.

Can I travel with my Czech health insurance card?

Depends on what insurance plan have you prepaid.

You can have it only for the CR or for all Schengen countries – according to the conditions of your contract. You need to ask your insurance company

What does my insurance card cover?

That depends on your insurance plan and conditions. You need to find this out at your insurance company.

Usually, all necessary medical treatment with contracted medical facilities and doctors should be covered. Ask your insurance company for contacts.

If you receive medical care from a doctor or facility which does not have a contract with your insurance company, you may be required to pay in cash and later ask your insurance company for reimbursement.

You may be told that the insurance company will reimburse you; however, the insurance company will only pay up to certain limits or at specific rates. You will not be reimbursed for any amounts you paid over these limits. It is recommended, to always contact your insurance company before going to a doctor

What insurance companies are there? Can I choose between them?

There are currently 6 companies providing commercial health insurance. You can choose between them freely.

  1. Axa
  2. Maxima
  3. PVZP
  4. Slavia
  5. Uniqa
  6. SV

A comparison of private health insurance options is available here.

General info

To be insured for medical expenses is not only a legal obligation in the Czech Republic, but also a life necessity. Each foreigner who wants to stay here for more than 3 months must be medically insured in the CR. There are two types of health insurance – public and commercial.

As the public health insurance is a public service not intended for the profit of the Czech government, it is of a much better value for your pocket, as well as security for your health. There are basically no limits for the coverage of the medical expenses and the insurance company cannot cancel your insurance or refuse to extend it if you fulfill required conditions.

This is different with the commercial health insurance. This insurance is not under such strict public control and gives insurance companies more room to benefit from the people insured. The monthly premium could be less than with the public insurance, but the coverage has lower limits at the same time. The doctors have more difficulties keeping the cost of medical services under the limits, and there is more paperwork for docs too. The biggest risk with the commercial health insurance is that the company can ditch the policy holder when he/she becomes too expensive and not extend the insurance when requested.

You cannot decide which insurance system you belong to. This is strictly determined by your nationality or personal/economical situation. You cannot switch between the systems as you wish. Use the filters above to find answers for your questions based on your personal situation.

Photo by Jirka Lubojacky.

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