International health insurance for expatriates living in the Czech Republic

For anyone wishing to move to the Czech Republic, international health insurance is a good option you should look into. Here are just some of the reasons. It:

• Covers you in the Czech Republic and abroad
• Reduces waiting times
• Guarantees access to quality healthcare
• Is tailored to your specific needs

Below you will find all the information an expat needs to know about healthcare and health insurance in the Czech Republic.

What you need to know about the Czech healthcare system

The Czech healthcare system is ranked 20th best in the world according to the Health Care Index 2025. It is based on a system of universal health insurance, which means that anyone residing and working in the country must join one of the seven public health insurance funds. The main one is the General Health Insurance Fund (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna ČR). Here is its official website: https://www.vzp.cz/

Compulsory contributions amount to 13.5% of taxable income for both employees and the self-employed.

The minimum amount of contributions in 2025 is as follows:

• CZK 2,808 (EUR 115) per month for employees (shared between employer and employee);
• CZK 3,143 (EUR 130) per month for self-employed persons;
• CZK 2,808 (EUR 115) per month for persons without taxable income.

It should be noted that the state covers contributions for certain individuals, including those under the age of 26.

Public healthcare in the Czech Republic

Les établissements médicaux publics sont bien équipés. Parmi les hôpitaux les plus connus, on peut citer l’Hôpital universitaire de Brno ou l’Hôpital de Na Homolce. Le Motol University Hospital est le plus grand hôpital et dispose d’un service dédié aux patients étrangers, avec, entre autres, un personnel parlant anglais.

Les soins pris en charge incluent principalement :

• Les consultations préventives ;
• Les traitements d’urgence ;
• Les hospitalisations de courte et longue durée ;
• La vaccination ;
• Certains soins dentaires ;
• Certains médicaments.

Les prestations médicales sont généralement de bonne qualité, mais les délais d’attente peuvent être longs. Il n’est pas rare d’attendre plusieurs semaines pour obtenir un rendez-vous.

Comme c’est le cas dans d’autres pays, la majorité des frais sont couverts par l’assurance publique, mais des restes à charge peuvent subsister.

Private healthcare in the Czech Republic

The private healthcare network (hospitals, clinics, practices, etc.) is very comprehensive. The private sector plays an important role in healthcare, with shorter waiting times and access to services provided by highly qualified professionals.

For expatriates, this offers the advantage of being able to choose their doctor and where to receive treatment. It should also be noted that most private medical facilities in Prague are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.

Challenges for the Czech healthcare system

Regional disparities

For several years, the Czech Republic has faced inequalities in access to healthcare. Large cities such as Prague, Brno and Ostrava have high-quality medical facilities, while the north of the country is much less well equipped, mainly due to poverty.

This is the case, for example, in Northern Bohemia and Western Bohemia, where unemployment is high and creates a significant economic imbalance.

The subsoil in these regions is naturally radioactive, which also increases the risk of developing certain diseases, particularly cancer.

Health insurance options in the Czech Republic for expatriates

The government recently warned of a shortage of doctors and nurses, especially in the public system, due to overburdened services. The WHO points out that certain specialities are particularly affected, notably psychiatry.

Health insurance options in the Czech Republic for expatriates

For expatriates residing permanently in the Czech Republic, it is possible to take out public insurance, the main provider being Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna ČR, which covers nearly 59% of the country’s residents.

Its popularity is due to the quality of its services and its large network of providers (hospitals, doctors, etc.), which facilitates the reimbursement of healthcare costs.

Expatriates who do not yet have a permanent residence permit are required to take out other insurance.
In both cases, expatriates often choose to take out international private health insurance, which offers more comprehensive coverage and is better suited to their lifestyle.

Global Health: the best health insurance for expatriates 

At Global Health, we specialise in health insurance for expatriates. We offer several customisable plans to suit your needs.

All our services are designed to guarantee you optimal coverage and complete peace of mind for your health.

With us, you benefit from insurance that is:

• Valid in the Czech Republic, in your country of origin and anywhere in the world;
• With reduced waiting times and the option to choose where you receive treatment;
• That covers repatriation in case of emergency;
• With multilingual medical assistance;
• That offers a second medical opinion with Teladoc Health;
• With wellness services such as mental coaching and a fitness programme.

We are proud to have been supporting expatriates around the world for over 10 years!

Our health advice for expats in the Czech Republic

• Be proactive: take the time to identify your health insurance needs before you leave. This will save you stress once you arrive, when you will already be busy with the move, administrative formalities and settling in.

• Get informed: several official sources may be useful to you:
  • The Czech Ministry of Health website: https://mzd.gov.cz/ (translate if you do not speak Czech).
  • The Health Insurance Bureau (HIB): http://www.kancelarzp.cz/ (also available in English). This organisation coordinates local and international health insurance and can assist you with your health-related procedures.
  • The European Commission’s page on social security rights in the Czech Republic: https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/moving-working-europe/eu-social-security-coordination/your-social-security-rights/czech-republic_en

• Consider temporary coverage: if you are an EU citizen, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for temporary insurance before you are covered locally.

FAQ: we answer your questions