Can I obtain medial assistance while visiting the Czech Republic?

Citizens of the European Union visiting the Czech Republic are able to make use of a valid EHIC Card (European Health Insurance Card) to gain access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the Czech Republic, under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country.

Medically necessary treatment refers to treatment that cannot wait for your return home. You may need such treatment in case of acute illness or accident. You can also receive treatment related to pregnancy and childbirth or to a chronic illness. The need for treatment must emerge during the course of your stay. If your illness requires regular treatment while you are temporarily staying abroad, contact the health care provider abroad in advance and agree on arranging the treatment. Treatments that need to be arranged in advance include, for example, dialysis, oxygen therapy, specialised care of asthma and chemotherapy as well as echocardiography in chronic autoimmune diseases.

You will receive treatment on the same terms and at the same price as the locals by presenting your European Health Insurance Card. It is advisable to carry your valid European Health Insurance Card with you. I

Before accessing care, you should make sure that the service provider has a contract with one of the public health insurance funds and is able to provide your assistance with the usage of the EHIC.

In the Czech Republic, patients must pay a customer fee as a deductible for the use of public healthcare services. The contact information for the funds is available on the website of the Health Insurance Bureau (Opens in a new tab) (Kancelář zdravotního pojištění, KZP).

More details about the entitlements and procedures are covered in this explanation of the use of the EHIC card in the Czech Republic.

In case of any problems concerning healthcare during your stay in the Czech Republic you can also contact the Health Insurance Bureau (Kancelář zdravotního pojištění)

Address: Winstona Churchilla 2, 130 00 Praha 3

phone: +420 236 033 411

fax: +420 222 734 951

email: info@kancelarzp.cz

In emergency cases dial 112 (international, communication in foreign languages) or 155 (local, usually communication in Czech language only).

See how Maltese citizens can apply on-line for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).