Health insurance and finding a doctor

Whether you are in the public system or need a commercial policy depends on your job and your residence type; once insured, register with a GP early.

Everyone staying in Czechia needs health insurance, and your residence permit depends on it. There are two kinds: public insurance (seven public insurers, such as VZP, OZP or ČPZP) and commercial insurance for foreigners (sold by companies such as PVZP, Slavia, Maxima, Axa and Uniqa).

If you work for a Czech employer on a regular contract, you are in the public system. Your employer registers you and deducts the contribution from your salary. You choose the insurer, and you get a card. The same applies to people with permanent residence and, in most cases, to EU citizens who work here.

If you are a non-EU national without permanent residence and you are not employed by a Czech company, for example studying, freelancing or joining family, you usually need commercial comprehensive insurance, paid in advance for the whole planned stay. The price depends on age and sex, not income. You can move into the public system only in specific cases, such as starting a job with a Czech employer or getting permanent residence.

Travel insurance from home is not the same thing. For a stay of more than 90 days you need a comprehensive policy that the Ministry of the Interior accepts. Check the exact cover requirements with your insurer before you buy.

Once you have insurance, register with a general practitioner (praktický lékař). You need one for referrals, sick notes and prescriptions. GPs can turn new patients away when they are full, so ask several. Your insurer's website has a search for contracted doctors, and some insurers list languages spoken. With commercial insurance, ask your insurer which doctors are in its network, because not every GP accepts it directly.

Lists of English-speaking doctors exist, but none are complete. The UK government's list of English-speaking medical facilities covers the big hospitals in both cities. Local expat centres and integration centres can also point you in the right direction. This guide is general information, not medical advice.

In Brno

Brno Expat Centre keeps an up-to-date explainer on insurance and can help you understand which type applies to you. The UK list includes University Hospital Brno, the Trauma Hospital and the Military Hospital.

In Prague

Expat Centre Prague and Integration Centre Prague both publish guidance on health insurance for non-EU citizens. The UK list includes General University Hospital and Motol University Hospital.

Step by step

1. Work out which system you belong to (job with Czech employer or permanent residence = public; otherwise usually commercial).
2. Public: give your employer your choice of insurer; you will receive a card by post.
3. Commercial: buy a comprehensive policy covering your whole stay before you apply for or extend a permit.
4. Search your insurer's list of contracted GPs near home and ask about new patients.
5. Save 112 and 155 in your phone.

Last checked 2026-11-09. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.