Insurance

Czech health insurance, sorted by your status

Every legal resident must have health insurance. Which system applies depends on whether you are employed, self-employed, an EU citizen, or a long-term non-EU resident without an employer.

Employed under a Czech contract

Your employer registers you with one of the seven public insurance funds and pays contributions from your gross salary. You get a plastic health-insurance card (kartu pojistence) within a few weeks. All public providers accept it.

OSVC (self-employed)

You register yourself with a public insurer within eight days of starting the activity. Monthly contributions in 2026 are around 3,306 CZK minimum. First-year OSVCs pay the minimum, then are reassessed based on actual profit.

EU citizens

If you are covered by another EU country's system, the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) covers necessary care during short stays. For longer-term residence, you eventually transfer coverage to a Czech public fund via an S1 form or by starting work here.

Non-EU without a Czech employer

Since 2021, non-EU long-term residents without a Czech employer must buy commercial comprehensive medical insurance from PVZP (the state-owned commercial insurer). It costs roughly 60,000 to 90,000 CZK per year for a healthy adult and is required to obtain or extend a residence permit. Only PVZP satisfies the Ministry of Interior requirement.

What is covered

Public and PVZP comprehensive cover include GP visits, specialist referrals, hospitalisation, emergency care, prescription drugs (with a small co-pay), and pregnancy and childbirth. Dental cover is basic. Cosmetic and elective procedures are out-of-pocket.