Healthcare for Foreigners in the Case of an Individual with Permanent Residency

Public Health Insurance in the Czech Republic for Foreigners Without Permanent Residence

In the Case of an Individual without Permanent Residence Status in the Czech Republic
An individual not from the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK without permanent residency is able to participate in public health insurance granted by the Czech Republic, according to law, if they are gainfully employed and an employer who has a registered office or permanent residence of business within the Czech Republic. Similarly, an individual is subject to public health insurance if they meet criteria outlined in European regulations, such as being a dependent family member of a breadwinner insurance under the Czech public health insurance system). Lastly, an individual is subject to public health insurance if they are a citizen of a country with which the Czech Republic has an established international social security treaty that regulates the subject matter of health insurance.

– The health insurance company is obliged to issue a paper certificate or green card to the individual who is insured to replace the card.
– Similar to cases of commencement and termination of employment, an employer is obliged to notify the health insurance company of the commencement and termination in the participation of public health insurance of an employee who does not maintain permanent residence.
– In the case of a period of time when an individual without permanent residence is not covered by public health insurance from an employer, they have the option of taking out contractual health insurance.

An individual from the EU, EEA and Switzerland without permanent residence in the Czech Republic can participate in public insurance on the basis of European regulations and the law on the basis of employment. This is applicable for example in the case of an individual who is self-employed and maintains self-employment in the Czech Republic, dependent family members of an individual from the EU who maintains gainful employment in the Czech Republic or receives income replacement benefits. In the case of an individual with a pension and or in cases of an economically inactive individual who can prove residency and interests in the Czech Republic, they are subject to health insurance.

Under the Czech Republic’s agreements with the United States of America, Turkey, Japan, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Tunisia and Syria, an individual with gainful employment or is doing business in the Czech Republic becomes an active participant in the public health insurance system, and vice versa. An individual therefore must opt out of health insurance from their country of origin. These guidelines similarly apply to an individual from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. If an individual from these countries is employed within an EU member state, to include the Czech Republic, they are covered by the health insurance system of that EU country, and vice versa. A similar agreement is established by international treaty between the Czech Republic and Israel. However it only applies to citizens of the Czech Republic and Israel. These procedures do not apply to tourist stays to include studies.

Health Insurance for Newborns and Minors Without Permanent Residence in the Czech Republic

In the case of a child born in the Czech Republic to a mother with permanent residence, the birth of the child is reported by the legal guardian or custodian within 8 days of birth to the health insurance company of which the child’s mother is insured on the date of birth. If the mother is not insured within the Czech Republic, they then notify the birth to the health insurance company of which the child’s father is insured on the day of the child’s birth. If neither parent is insured in the Czech Republic, they are required to notify the General Health Insurance company of the Czech Republic of the birth of the child.

Insurance premiums for newborn children are paid by the guardian or custodian to the account of the relevant health insurance company in a single sum for the entire reference period. The premium is payable from the first to the last day of the reference period and calculated from the assessment base of twice the minimum wage for the relevant period.

As of January 1, 2024, individuals that are under 18 and who have a valid long-term residence status are automatically participants in the public health system. This is applicable to all long-term residency, regardless of the purpose of stay.

This change does not apply to foreign individuals who are under 18 years of age, who:
– Are granted a long-term visa
– Are granted a temporary residence permit as an EU citizen’s family member

Commercial Health Insurance for Foreigners

Individuals that are for example sole traders, self-employed, or are economically inactive family members of foreigners and migrant students have to pay for commercial health insurance in the Czech Republic.

There are generally 2 types of commercial health insurance:

1. Insurance of necessary and urgent healthcare for travel
2. Comprehensive health insurance

If an individual has arranged for commercial insurance, then they will be treated by a limited number of doctors and facilities. Contact the insurance company for a list of contracted doctors and facilities. In some cases a doctor will require a cash payment. Request proof of payment to be reimbursed by the insurance company.

Insurance for EU Citizens

EU citizens must obtain health insurance in the Czech Republic based on their actual residence and economic activity. EU citizens employed within the Czech Republic must join the Czech healthcare system and also deregister from their country of origin’s insurance. Economically inactive EU citizens can be insured in the Czech Republic if they have proof of temporary residence or actual residence in the Czech Republic. EU citizens who are not insured in the Czech Republic remain covered by health insurance from their country of origin and are therefore entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which grants them essential healthcare.

Health Care and Insurance for Ukrainian Refugees

Obtaining Health Insurance and Free Health Care
With the issuance of a temporary protection visa, an individual becomes a participant in the public health insurance system. By law individuals are required to obtain health insurance and an individual must register as soon as possible with one of the health insurance companies in the Czech Republic. For a total of 90 days after an individual is granted temporary protection, health insurance is paid by the state. Dependents, such as children or a spouse, are usually covered under the same health insurance as the main applicant.

Extension of Health Insurance

If an individual applies for an extension of temporary protection, they are required to extend their health insurance with the company with which they originally established an insurance coverage.

Payment of Health Insurance

At the end of the 90 day period from when the status of temporary protection was granted, individuals are then subject to paying for their own premiums with whichever health insurance company they are registered to. If an individual is between the ages of 18 and 64 years of age, they must let the health insurance company with which they are registered how they will pay their premiums. Exceptions to this rule include students aged 18–26, children under 18 years of age, job seekers registered at the labor office, seniors from 65 years old, and an individual who cares for at least one child under the age of 7 or two or more children under the age of 15 full time. Individuals with long-term health conditions that prevent them from working should contact their health insurance company with which they are registered in the Czech Republic.

Patient Rights

Foreigners have the same healthcare rights as citizens in the Czech Republic if they are participating in the public health insurance system. These rights include:

– The right to choose a health service provider
– The right to information about your health
– The right to forbid providing information about your health to anybody
– The right to provide consent to the provisions of healthcare services
– Free and informed consent
– The right to refuse treatment
– The right to make a previously expressed wish
– The right to choose a health insurance company
– The right to change your doctor
– The right to receive free healthcare services
– The right to lodge a complaint
– The right to a second opinion
– The right to consult medical records
– The right to the protection of personal data