What is a disabled person’s card?
A ZTP (Severely Disabled Persons) card is a type of card for a person with a disability (PWD). The Czech legal system recognises three types of these cards:
- TP (Severe Disability)card
- ZTP card ( particularly severe disability)
- ZTP/P card (particularly severe disability with the need for a guide)
The classification reflects the degree of limitation in mobility or orientation, and has a direct impact on the benefits the cardholder receives. These cards replace the former ‘Extraordinary Benefits Card’ type designation. Since 2014, they have taken the form of a plastic card with security features. It is issued by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic.
Who is entitled to a Disabled Persons Card?
The ZTP card is granted to persons with severe disabilities that substantially limit their ability to move or orient themselves. This may include:
- Persons confined to a wheelchair
- Persons with severe lower limb disabilities
- Persons with severe neurological or sensory impairments
- Persons with a combined disability, e.g. visual and intellectual disability
The decisive factor is the assessment of the medical condition according to the Decree on the implementation of certain provisions of the Act on the provision of benefits to disabled persons. The latter defines the degree of functional impairment of each organ system. It is therefore not a question of a specific diagnosis, but of the extent to which the condition limits the ability to move or orient oneself independently.
The condition is that the impairment lasts for more than one year or is intended to remain permanently. The Labour Office assessor decides whether the condition is really severe enough on the basis of expert medical documentation.
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How do I apply for a Disability Card?
Getting a disabled person’s card is an administrative process that starts with an application for a disabled person’s card at the labour office of your place of residence. The process is not immediate, the length of time it takes to obtain a disability card depends on the individual case and the quality of the documentation provided. It usually takes several weeks to several months.
The application for a disability card is made on a prescribed form, which can be obtained in person at a branch of the Labour Office or downloaded online from the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
We recommend that you attach medical reports and up-to-date opinions from specialist doctors (e.g. neurologist, psychiatrist, orthopaedic surgeon, etc.) and other documents that prove your disability and the extent of your limitations in everyday life.
It is definitely worthwhile to include the disability diagnoses, i.e. the specific health problems for which you are applying. These include severe mobility problems, neurological conditions, sensory impairments, intellectual disabilities or a combination of multiple impairments.
Once the Labour Office receives the application, it will be forwarded to the assessing doctor of the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSA). The latter will assess whether the criteria for a licence are met and what level is appropriate – TP (severe disability), ZTP (particularly severe disability) or ZTP/P (particularly severe disability with the need for a guide).
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The doctor will assess the medical condition based on the documentation provided, but may also request additional medical examinations. He or she will then decide whether you are eligible for a disability card and, if so, for how long (for example, 1-5 years, or, in exceptional cases, permanently).
On the basis of the assessment , the Labour Office will issue a decision to grant you a TP, ZTP or ZTP/P card or to reject your application. In the event of a refusal, you have the right to appeal within 15 days of the date of receipt of the decision. The appeal is sent through the Labour Board to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which will decide in the second instance.
If the office issues a positive decision, you will receive a plastic disability card, which replaces the previous paper versions. For people with disabilities, it is also possible to apply for a parking card, which allows the use of reserved parking spaces.
How long does it take to process a disabled person’s card?
The process usually takes between 60 and 90 days from the date of application. However, the time limit can be extended, for example if documentation is missing or if further medical examination is needed. In exceptional cases, the card may be granted temporarily, usually for a period of several years, after which you must apply for a review and renew the card.
Both the Disabled Persons’ Card and the Parking Card are issued free of charge.
How long is a disabled person’s card valid for?
In many cases, the card is issued for a specific period of time, usually between 1 and 5 years. This applies mainly to medical conditions that may improve over time with treatment or rehabilitation, or worsen, and the degree of disability needs to be reassessed regularly.
Typical examples of diagnoses with temporary validity are: multiple sclerosis (with different courses), cancer (before and after treatment), rheumatoid arthritis (in the most severe stages), severe injuries or post-surgical conditions (where the long-term outlook is unknown), psychiatric illnesses whose stability may vary.
Please note: The Office will not automatically alert you to an impending expiry. It is therefore up to you to request a reassessment and possible extension in good time. Ideally at least 3-4 months before the expiry date.
If you have a permanent, stable or irreversible disability, you may be granted a disability card for an indefinite (permanent) period of time. In these cases, no renewal or review is required.
Typical examples of permanent diagnoses are: amputation of limbs without the possibility of replacement, paraplegia and quadriplegia (permanent paralysis), congenital or severe combined defects, total blindness or deafness, severe intellectual disability that makes independent living impossible.
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Didn’t get a Disabled Persons Card? You can appeal
If your application for a disabled person’s card is refused, you can appeal. The time limit for filing an appeal is 15 days from the date of receipt of the decision. The appeal must be submitted to the Labour Office, which will forward the application to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which will carry out a review.
The appeal should include new medical reports or point out omissions. If the review fails, the matter can still be resolved by an administrative action before the regional court. We will be happy to help you with your appeal and appeal.
Referral to an Accessible Advocate:
- If you know your condition has significantly worsened, ask for a review even while your license is valid.
- Include as many professional medical reports as you can with your application – even get a report from a neurologist, orthopedist or psychiatrist, depending on the type of impairment.
Summary
The Disabled Persons’ Pass (particularly severely disabled) is for people with severe and long-term disabilities that significantly limit their mobility or orientation. It is issued by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic on the basis of an opinion of a doctor from the Czech Social Security Administration, which is based on documented medical records. The application is submitted on a form from the Labour Office together with medical reports, and can take 2-3 months to process. The pass is usually issued for a fixed period (1-5 years), or for an indefinite period in the case of permanent diagnoses. Holders are entitled to a range of benefits, including transport discounts, tax credits, parking permits or mobility allowances. Both the pass and the parking card are issued free of charge and an appeal can be made if the application is refused.