Health insurance for visa purposes

The Foreign Nationals Residence Act stipulates the obligation to have travel health insurance covering comprehensive health care for the same period of time you apply for the visa/residence permit (that is, usually the full year).

This obligation does not apply to foreign nationals covered by Czech public health insurance or if their health insurance is paid for on the basis of an international agreement (such as Erasmus programmes) or if they hold a valid EHIC or GHIC health insurance card.

For additional information on the official requirements of the comprehensive health insurance, see the website of the Czech Ministry of the Interior.

The insurance can be arranged with different insurance companies. Most commonly used are: PVZP, Maxima, Uniqua or Slavia. For additional information, including an insurance calculator, visit: InfoCizinci.cz.

Note: The comprehensive insurance usually does not cover psychological or other mental health treatment. Therefore, if you have a mental health condition and there is a probability that you may need medical care related to this condition while in the Czech Republic, consider taking a higher level of insurance (usually called “exclusive” or “premium”). Check with the particular insurance company what is specifically covered.

Students of Charles university also have the possibility of special medical insurance package (exclusive type) with the Pojišťovna VZP, a.s. (PVZP) insurance company, with benefits such as 20% student discount on standard rates, emergency care in the Schengen area, coverage of pre-existing conditions (if disclosed in advance), available for students under 35 years of age. Additional information here on the main CU website. Use this unique link to arrange for this insurance as a student of CU.