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Health Insurance

The general rule is that everyone in the Czech Republic must have health insurance. This means that everyone is required to have valid insurance that has been properly paid for. Below, you will learn which type of health insurance is relevant to you as a foreign national.

Always have your health insurance card with you! If you have arranged commercial health insurance, you should also always carry a document proving you have paid for the insurance with you.

When is a foreign national covered by the public healthcare system?

Foreign nationals are covered by the Czech public healthcare system if they have permanent residence in the CR or if they are employees of employers with a registered office or permanent residence in the CR. Under certain conditions, EU citizens and their family members can also be covered by the public healthcare system, as can other groups, such as aplicants for international protection, holders of temporary protection, asylum seekers, and holders of subsidiary protection. They all have access to healthcare services covered by public health insurance on the same basis as other insured persons.

As of 1 January 2024, all foreign nationals under the age of 18 who have a valid long-term residence permit are covered by public health insurance. The cost of the insurance is paid by the child’s parents. More information is available here. 

Insurance for EU citizens

EU citizens must have health insurance in the CR based on their economic activity and actual residence.

      • EU citizens employed in the CR must join the Czech healthcare system and deregister from their home country’s health insurance system.
      • Economically inactive EU citizens can be insured in the CR if they prove temporary residence or actual residence in the CR (e.g. lease agreement, utility bills, etc.)
      • EU citizens who are not insured in the CR remain covered by health insurance from their home country and are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which grants access to medically necessary healthcare.

For enquiries about healthcare coverage, contact the Health Insurance Office, the state administration’s contact point for health insurance.

Commercial Health Insurance for Foreigners

Other groups of foreign nationals (sole traders and other self-employed persons, economically inactive family members of foreigners and migrant students) have to pay for what is known as commercial health insurance in the Czech Republic.

Generally, there are two types of commercial health insurance: 1) insurance covering necessary and urgent healthcare for travel (travel insurance for foreigners) and 2) comprehensive health insurance.

If you apply for a long-term residence permit in the CR or for its extension, you have to prove that you have arranged comprehensive health insurance for foreign nationals! The insurance must be paid for the entire period of the expected residence (up to 2 years).

If you have arranged commercial insurance, you will be treated only by a limited number of doctors and facilities – those that have a contract with your insurance company. Therefore, ask your insurance company for a list of contracted doctors and healthcare facilities.

In some cases, the doctor may require payment in cash. Your insurance company will reimburse you, so be sure to request proof of payment.

Always read the terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully and find out what the exclusions from coverage are!

I am going abroad – can I suspend my health insurance?

Commercial health insurance is paid for in advance and therefore it is not possible to cancel or to suspend it before going abroad from the CR.

Public health insurance can be suspended if you stay outside the CR continuously for more than 6 months. However, in such a case, you have to prove that you have valid health insurance abroad.

 

13. October, 2026