Health Insurance and Healthcare for Foreigners in the Czech Republic

Ss of 31 December 2025, 1,131,197 foreigners resided in the Czech Republic, mostly citizens of Ukraine, Slo-vakia, Vietnam, and Russia. About one-third held permanent residence permits, while 65% had temporary residence. An integral part of the residence regime and a legal condition for lawful stay in the Czech Republic is health insurance. 

The obligation for foreigners to have health insurance arises from the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals (No. 326/1999 Coll.), which requires proof of insurance for visa or residence permits. Participation in the public health insurance system is governed by the Public Health Insurance Act (No. 48/1997 Coll.). 

In the Czech Republic, foreigners may obtain either public or commercial health insurance. Public insurance generally applies to permanent residents, employees, and minors with long-term residence permits. Its coverage is broadly comparable to that of Czech citizens. Proof of insurance is not required if the foreigner is enrolled in the public system or can demonstrate another lawful method of covering healthcare costs. 

Commercial health insurance is intended for foreigners with long-term visas or residence permits not covered by the public system. 

The key factor is the length of stay. For stays of up to 90 days, a valid travel health insurance is required, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000. The policy must include medical repatriation, emergency and hospital care, and coverage in the event of death. A two-month policy typically costs around EUR 3,300. 

For stays exceeding 90 days, comprehensive health insurance is mandatory, with a minimum coverage limit of EUR 400,000 per insured event. It offers broader services, including preventive care, ongoing treatment, and pregnancy and childbirth care. 

Insurance Companies Offering Comprehensive Health Insurance for Foreigners 

Several insurers in the Czech market provide health insurance for foreigners, including SV, AXA, Slavia, Colonnade Insurance S.A., VZP, UNIQA, and Maxima.  

It is important to consider waiting periods for pregnancy and childbirth coverage (3–8 months). For a long-term visa, the policy must not exclude pregnancy-related care. Standard commercial insurance usually does not cover these costs and is therefore cheaper (around EUR 782 per year), but pregnancy-related expenses must then be paid out of pocket. Comprehensive insurance for pregnant women starts at around EUR 2,677 per year and covers childbirth and related care. Some insurers also require an individual health assessment before concluding the contract. 

The chosen insurance must correspond to the type and length of stay. In practice, it is often unclear when and to what extent proof of insurance must be submitted (e.g., upon visa issuance or when applying for a residence permit). It is advisable to consult visa specialists to ensure compliance with current legislation and avoid administrative complications.