How Czech health insurance works

The Czech healthcare system is based on mandatory public health insurance. Anyone with permanent residence or employment in CZ must be insured with one of seven public insurance funds. The fund then pays for care at its contracted doctors and hospitals.

The seven Czech public insurers

• VZP ČR (111) — the largest and most widely accepted
• VoZP (201) — Military Health Insurance
• ČPZP (205) — Czech Industrial Health Insurance
• OZP (207) — Occupational Health Insurance
• ZPŠ (209) — Škoda Employee Insurance
• ZPMV (211) — Ministry of Interior Insurance
• RBP (213) — Mining Brotherhood Fund

You can switch insurers once every 12 months — always on January 1 or July 1. The request must be submitted at least 3 months in advance.

Who is covered by public insurance

• Employees (premiums paid by employer + a deduction from salary)
• Self-employed (pay their own premiums, min. ~2,968 CZK/month in 2025)
• Children, students up to 26, pensioners, mothers on maternity leave — covered by the state
• People registered at the labour office
• Foreigners with permanent residence or employment in CZ

What the insurance covers

• GP and specialist visits (specialist usually requires GP referral)
• Hospital care, surgery, childbirth
• Most prescribed medication (with possible co-payment)
• Prevention — check-ups, vaccinations, screenings
• Basic dental care (amalgam fillings, extractions)
• Ambulance service (155)

What you pay yourself (or co-pay)

• Premium dentistry (white fillings, crowns, implants)
• Glasses and contact lenses (beyond limited subsidy)
• Cosmetic procedures
• Medication co-pays and certain aids
• 90 CZK fee for emergency room visit

Contracted vs non-contracted doctor

A contracted doctor has an agreement with your specific insurer — care within the covered scope is free. A non-contracted doctor charges the full price, which your insurer won't reimburse. Always ask before the first visit: "Do you have a contract with insurer X?" Most doctors have contracts with all insurers, but not all.

What if you have no insurance (foreigners, short stays)

If you don't qualify for public insurance (tourists, short-term visas, some long-term residents), you need commercial health insurance. For stays over 90 days, the law requires "Comprehensive Foreigners Health Insurance" (KZPC) — mandatorily via VZP, PVZP or Slavia. Without insurance you pay cash — a GP visit is 1,000–2,500 CZK, ER 2,000–5,000 CZK, one day in hospital can exceed 10,000 CZK.

How PVZP (Pojišťovna VZP) works for foreigners

PVZP is the largest commercial health insurer for foreigners in the Czech Republic. It offers travel insurance, KZPC for long-term stays, and comprehensive insurance for employees and entrepreneurs. The same principle applies as with public insurance: at contracted doctors the insurer pays directly, at non-contracted clinics you pay cash and then claim reimbursement according to your policy.

• KZPC is mandatory for foreigners staying over 90 days who are not covered by public insurance
• PVZP has a network of contracted clinics, but it is not as widespread as public insurers — always verify in advance
• Emergency care usually only requires your insurance card; planned procedures may need prior approval from the insurer
• Some private clinics for foreigners bill PVZP directly, others require a deposit

Insurance card

After enrolment you receive a blue plastic card (EHIC on the back = European Health Insurance Card). Bring it to every doctor visit, pharmacy and hospital. The EHIC covers urgent care in the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK.