Changes to the Act on the Residence of Foreigners

We have prepared an overview of the most important changes introduced by the amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals. The changes are effective from 2^nd August 2021.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE SCOPE OF COMPREHENSIVE CARE

As of 2^nd August 2021, the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals stipulates that foreigners who enter the Czech Republic to stay there for more than 90 days are obliged to arrange travel health insurance in the scope of comprehensive health care within 90 days from entering the CR.

The obligation does not apply to foreigners who are members of public health insurance, foreigners whose health care costs are covered based on an international agreement, and holders of valid EHIC and GHIC health insurance cards. Furthermore, this obligation does not apply to citizens of the European Union and their close family members.

For a period of 5 years from the entry into effect of the amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals (that is from 2^nd August 2021 to 2^nd August 2026), it will be possible to arrange travel health insurance in the scope of comprehensive health care as required by the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals exclusively with Pojišťovna VZP, a.s.(PVZP).

 

What to do if you are insured with PVZP and need to see a doctor?

Contact the AXA Assistance service and follow their instructions. The service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The operators speak Czech as well as English, Polish, and Russian, they have an up-to-date list of contracted doctors and medical facilities, and if necessary, they can for example give the medical facility a guarantee of reimbursement. You can find the contact information for the assistance service on your insurance card.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE OF CHILDREN BORN IN THE CR 

A child born in the CR to a mother with a long-term residence permit is now also insured within the public insurance system. However, the child is insured within the public health insurance system only for a limited period of time, i.e. from the date of birth until the end of the calendar month in which the child reaches the age of 60 days. Insurance premiums for the child are paid by the child’s legal guardian (usually a parent). The birth of the child needs to be reported within 8 days to the health insurance company with which the mother is insured. If the child’s mother is not insured within the Czech public health insurance system, the child is insured by the health insurance company of the father. If neither parent is insured within the public health insurance system, the birth of the child shall be reported to the General Health Insurance Company of the Czech Republic (VZP). More information, including how to register a child, can be found on the website of VZP.

After that it is necessary to arrange commercial health insurance for the child! 

More information in Czech is also available on the website of the Ministry of Health of the CR.

 

CHANGES RELATING TO EU CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS

• The temporary residence permit document for EU citizens is changing – it will now be replaced by a “registration certificate”.
• A new application fee.

The fee applies to the following applications:

• Application for a registration certificate of an EU citizen,
• Application for a temporary residence permit for a family member of an EU citizen,
• Application for an extension of the validity of a residence card or a residence permit card of a family member of an EU citizen,
• Application for a permanent residence permit of EU citizens and their family members,
• Application for a change in the residence document of EU citizens and their family members

• The definition of a family member and the rules for applying for temporary residence for family members of EU citizens are changing.

More information is available at the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the CR.