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Frequently asked questions about medical insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic

Like getting straight to the point? Check out frequently asked questions about medical insurance for foreigners.


Meaning of terms from foreigner health insurance

  • What is preventive medical care?
    Preventive medical care contains medical examinations which aim to prevent the development of illnesses. Preventive care also contains vaccination.
    What is preventive medical care?
  • What does the term „third countries“ mean?  
    Third countries are all countries outside the EU, the European Economic Community and Switzerland. 
    What does the term „third countries“ mean?  
  • What is an employee card?
    An employee card is in fact a residence permit. It entitles foreigners to a temporary stay longer than 3 months in order to work on a position for which the employee card was issued.
    What is an employee card?
  • What is a representative office of the Czech Republic?
    An embassy or other office of the Czech Republic outside its territory. 
    What is a representative office of the Czech Republic?
  • What is the Schengen area?
    The area of 26 states that have signed the so called Schengen Agreement.
    What is the Schengen area?
  • What does the term „private payer“ mean?
    A private payer is a person who pays for medical services from his own pocket. The prices are based on price lists of the medical facility he chooses.
    What does the term „private payer“ mean?
  • What is a European Health Insurance Card?
    It is a document that entitles its holder to make use of free medical care during his temporary stay (no more than 6 months in 1 year) in EU countries + Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
    What is a European Health Insurance Card?
  • What does „urgent medical health care“ mean?
    Urgent care is provided in order to prevent aggravation of the patient’s current condition.
    What does „urgent medical health care“ mean?
  • What is an insurance coverage limit?
    It’s the maximum sum that the insurance company will pay, if you seek medical attention.
    What is an insurance coverage limit?
  • What is the difference between a long-term and permanent stay?
    A long-term stay is for third country nationals that wish to stay longer than 6 months in the Czech Republic. A permanent stay permit can be obtained by foreigners that have lived continuously in the Czech Republic for the past 5 years making use of a long-term stay permit or other forms of residence permit as stated by the law.   
    What is the difference between a long-term and permanent stay?
  • What are contractual or participating medical facilities and how do I get their address?
    Medical facilities that have a cooperation contract with a specific health insurance company. The facilities that cooperate with your health insurance company are the ones you should contact in the first place in case of need.  You will get a list of them with your insurance contract and can ask for more info when contacting the assistance helpline of your insurance company.
    What are contractual or participating medical facilities and how do I get their address?
  • What data are part of the records of employees from the EU?
    For EU citizens, this information is: identification data, permanent address, current delivery address, travel document number and name of the authority issuing it, type of work, place of performance and time during which you plan to employ this person, gender, day the commencement and termination of employment.
    What data are part of the records of employees from the EU?
  • What is the difference between a long-term and permanent stay?
    A long-term stay is for third country nationals that wish to stay longer than 6 months in the Czech Republic. A permanent stay permit can be obtained by foreigners that have lived continuously in the Czech Republic for the past 5 years making use of a long-term stay permit or other forms of residence permit as stated by the law.   
    What is the difference between a long-term and permanent stay?
  • Who is a “highly qualified employee”?
    An employee with a university degree or a 3 year higher professional school.
    Who is a “highly qualified employee”?
  • What is comprehensive health care for foreigners?
    The definition of comprehensive health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic should be understood as the broadest health care coverage and insurance package that you can arrange in the Czech Republic right after the public health care system. You “must” in fact arrange it in order to apply for a visa extension or a long-term stay permit when already in the Czech Republic.
    What is comprehensive health care for foreigners?
  • What is a waiting period?
    A waiting period is an initial period of health insurer membership during which no benefit is payable for certain procedures or services. It often concerns health care packages for mothers, where a 3 month waiting period for health care coverage during pregnancy is applied. 
    What is a waiting period?

Filing claims on insurance for foreigners

  • What are Telemedic/Telemedical services?
    Consultations via phone with a medical professional.
    What are Telemedic/Telemedical services?
  • What languages are supported by the AXA Assistance helpline for foreigners?
    Czech, English, German and Russian – an Arabic or Vietnamese translator can be quickly arranged, so as other less common languages.
    What languages are supported by the AXA Assistance helpline for foreigners?
  • What can the assistance helpline assist you with?
    You can report an insured event or ask for guidance on which hospital or doctor to visit.
    What can the assistance helpline assist you with?
  • Do I always have to contact assistance services first when in need of medical care?
    No, you don’t – your health always comes first. Call an ambulance in urgent cases and then the assistance helpline when you are ready.
    Do I always have to contact assistance services first when in need of medical care?

Validity of foreigner insurance

  • My European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) expired? What should I do now?
    Ask your health insurance company for a Provisional Replacement Certificate. It will work as good as the EHIC card until its expiry date.
    My European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) expired? What should I do now?
  • What can a foreigner use as an ID card?
    A valid passport.
    What can a foreigner use as an ID card?
  • Which countries are currently in the EU?
    Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
    Which countries are currently in the EU?
  • Is the health insurance contract valid immediately after payment?
    Yes, it is - even when arranged or purchased online.
    Is the health insurance contract valid immediately after payment?
  • Do I need some sort of stamp or validation on the contract for my foreigner health insurance?
    No, you don’t – it already has an electronic signature of the insurance company.
    Do I need some sort of stamp or validation on the contract for my foreigner health insurance?
  • Do I have to print my insurance contract for the authorities?
    No, you don’t – both the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign police accept electronic applications.
    Do I have to print my insurance contract for the authorities?
  • Do I have to pay at the doctor’s?
    In depends on the doctor – the assistance service will always guide you to a doctor where you don’t have to pay if it’s possible. If not, AXA Assistance will refund the money. Generally speaking - medical treatment is free of charge in most hospitals, but you may pay for ambulance transportation if you’re not in imminent danger.
    Do I have to pay at the doctor’s?
  • What are the most common exclusions regarding health insurance for foreigners?
    We always recommend to go through the terms and conditions of your contract but in general they are congenital diseases, that you knew of prior to entering the Czech Republic, injuries caused by negligence or on purpose, or by drug and alcohol consumption. Every case is individually evaluated by AXA Assistance in order to satisfy the insured individual as much as possible.
    What are the most common exclusions regarding health insurance for foreigners?
  • Can I travel to other Schengen countries with my health insurance for foreigners and still be protected?
    With comprehensive health insurance for foreigners you can travel throughout the Schengen area while not exceeding a maximum of 30 days for one trip and still be protected. But keep in mind that the comprehensive insurance plan automatically downgrades to a basic medical insurance for foreigners coverage plan.
    Can I travel to other Schengen countries with my health insurance for foreigners and still be protected?
  • How often do I make the payment for my comprehensive health care program?
    You choose a validity from 1 to 36 months and pay for the whole period at once.
    How often do I make the payment for my comprehensive health care program?
  • Can I ask for glasses and contact lense expenses reimbursement from the comprehensive health care package for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company?
    No, this type of insurance doesn’t cover expenses for prescription glasses and contact lenses.
    Can I ask for glasses and contact lense expenses reimbursement from the comprehensive health care package for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company?
  • I enjoy mountaineering in my free time. Does commercial health care for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company cover injuries during this activity? 
    No, it does not cover medical expenses in this case.
    I enjoy mountaineering in my free time. Does commercial health care for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company cover injuries during this activity? 
  • Does commercial health insurance for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company protect me in case of COVID-19?
    Yes, the Welcome insurance package covers medical expenses concerning COVID-19 treatment.
    Does commercial health insurance for foreigners from the ERGO insurance company protect me in case of COVID-19?

Which insurance policy for foreigners to choose

  • I´m interested in making use of preventive medical care in the Czech Republic. What should I do?
    If you don’t qualify for the public health care system, commercial comprehensive health insurance for foreigners is your other option. 
    I´m interested in making use of preventive medical care in the Czech Republic. What should I do?
  • What public health insurance companies are in the Czech Republic?
    Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna České republiky, Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna České republiky, Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna, Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna zaměstnanců bank, pojišťoven a stavebnictví, Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda, Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra České republiky and Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna.
    What public health insurance companies are in the Czech Republic?
  • Which health insurance companies offer commercial health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic?
    Slavia, VZP, UNIQA, Maxima, AXA Assistance and ERGO.
    Which health insurance companies offer commercial health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic?
  • I’m pregnant or planning a baby during the insured period. Which plan should I choose? 
    I’m pregnant or planning a baby during the insured period. Which plan should I choose? Definitely the comprehensive health care package. The Standard mode covers care during pregnancy starting 3 months since the start of the contract and care concerning childbirth 8 months since the start of the contract. By upgrading to the Mother package, there are no such conditions and your newborn baby’s care is also covered. If using the insurance in the Schengen area, basic health insurance terms apply.
    I’m pregnant or planning a baby during the insured period. Which plan should I choose? 

Where to find...

  • Where can I find the prices of medical services in various health facilities?
    A price list can be found on the website of each health facility or at their reception desk.
    Where can I find the prices of medical services in various health facilities?
  • Where can I find offices of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic?
    A list of offices and branches can be found on their official website.
    Where can I find offices of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic?

Insurance for mothers-foreigners

  • For what time period can I arrange comprehensive health care insurance for pregnant women and mothers to be? 
    This type of insurance for foreigners can be arranged for at least 12 months and the maximum of 36 months.
    For what time period can I arrange comprehensive health care insurance for pregnant women and mothers to be? 
  • Are special health insurance packages for mothers more expensive than the standard comprehensive health care package for foreigners?
    Yes, packages for mothers are more expensive in general. But if you pick just the standard comprehensive health care package for foreigners, even though you are already pregnant or plan on becoming before the specified waiting period (3 months for pregnancy, 8 months for childbirth), you will have to pay all expenses concerning pregnancy and childbirth from your own pocket. We therefore recommend you to pick the correct package and pay a little bit more now that much more later.
    Are special health insurance packages for mothers more expensive than the standard comprehensive health care package for foreigners?
  • I’m 47 years old, can I arrange comprehensive health care insurance for mothers-foreigners with Frenkee?
    No, this type of insurance works only for mothers until their 45th birthday.
    I’m 47 years old, can I arrange comprehensive health care insurance for mothers-foreigners with Frenkee?
  • I’m planning to take a trip abroad, is the comprehensive health care package for mothers-foreigners valid even outside of the Czech Republic?
    No, outside of the Czech Republic in the Shengen area the comprehensive health care package switches automatically to basic medical insurance for foreigners. 

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    I’m planning to take a trip abroad, is the comprehensive health care package for mothers-foreigners valid even outside of the Czech Republic?