Health Insurance for Foreigners in the Czech Republic: What You Need to Know 

Do you know what your health insurance options are in the Czech Republic if you are a foreigner? Are you interested in what the legislative requirements are and how to access quality healthcare if needed? If so, read our informative article on health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic.

Legislative requirements:
According to Czech laws, foreigners residing in the Czech Republic are entitled to access healthcare under the same conditions as Czech citizens. This means that if you have a temporary residence permit or permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic, you are entitled to healthcare covered by health insurance.

Two main types of health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic 

Public health insurance: If you have permanent residency in the Czech Republic, you are obliged to register for public health insurance. This obligation provides you access to basic medical services and medications covered by health insurance.

Private health insurance: Optionally, you can take out private health insurance, which can provide you with broader coverage and faster access to medical services. This insurance can be particularly useful for those who prefer private care or travel frequently abroad.

Document of travel health insurance for stays over 90 days

Foreigners prove the provision of payment for provided health care costs by:
a) a document of travel health insurance from one of the commercial insurance companies,
b) if they have a permit for permanent residence or if they have a purpose of employment, a document of health insurance according to Act No. 48/1997 Coll., on public health insurance, or
c) by other means, such as a verified invitation.
The obligation to present a document of travel health insurance at any time during the stay in the territory of the Czech Republic also applies to nationals of so-called third countries who stay here within the visa-free stay. Travel health insurance must be arranged for the entire duration of the stay.

Proof of travel health insurance for stays exceeding 90 days, whereby a foreigner demonstrates insurance covering expenses they are obliged to pay during their stay in the territory in the event of necessary and urgent medical care, including costs associated with transportation or, in the event of their death, transportation of their remains to the state of their travel document issuance, or to another state where they are permitted to stay.

The agreed limit of insurance coverage per insurance event shall be at least 60,000 EUR, without the insured's deductible on the aforementioned expenses.

Proof of travel health insurance is not required from a foreigner if they are insured under Act No. 48/1997 Coll., on public health insurance.

Travel health insurance for stays exceeding 90 days, when applying for a visa, may be arranged with an insurer authorized to provide this insurance in the territory under Act No. 277/2009 Coll., on insurance, as amended, and must be arranged to cover comprehensive healthcare.  
Comprehensive healthcare means healthcare provided to the insured in contractual healthcare facilities of the insurer without direct payment for the insured's treatment, with the aim of maintaining their health status prior to the conclusion of the insurance contract. Preventive or dispensary healthcare, as well as healthcare related to the insured mother's pregnancy and childbirth, must not be excluded from this insurance.

Document of travel health insurance for stays up to 90 days

The requirements for travel health insurance are set by the legal regulations of the European Communities - Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas. Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries must demonstrate that they have sufficient and valid travel insurance covering all costs that may arise during their stay on the territory of the Member States in connection with repatriation or in connection with urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment, or death.
Persons applying for a multiple entry visa ("multiple entries") shall demonstrate that they have taken out sufficient and valid travel health insurance for the duration of the first intended visit. These applicants must also sign a declaration on the visa application form stating that they are aware of the obligation to take out travel health insurance for subsequent stays.
Insurance must be valid in the territory of the Member States and cover the entire duration of the intended stay.
The minimum insurance coverage must be EUR 30,000.

Duration of stay and insurance validity

It is important to realize that the validity of health insurance for foreigners may be tied to the length of stay in the Czech Republic. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the validity of the insurance and, if necessary, extend or update it.