Health Insurance & Medical Care
Health Insurance
All insured incoming students (including EHIC cardholders) have an access to urgent, state-provided healthcare during their stay in the Czech Republic. To obtain relevant medical treatment, you have to register your EHIC blue card at one of the Czech health insurance providers.
After showing the EHIC card or a confirmation that substitutes the card, the health insurance company will immediately issue a registration document with a registration number with a Czech health insurance company. Later, if you need to see a doctor, take this document along with the EHIC card.
Students from EU/EFTA member countries are obliged to register with an auxiliary health insurance company after their arrival to Czechia. Thanks to this supplementary contract, all their medical expenses can be reimbursed by their home insurance retrospectively. We highly recommend to register your EHIC card as soon as possible after arrival and do not wait until you are not feeling well.
Students from non-EU/EFTA countries (so-called "third country nationals") are obliged to have comprehensive health insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Czechia. Such commercial insurance must meet the requirements of Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Territory of the Czech Republic.
Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna (VZP) is recommended as the largest health care provider in the Czech Republic with the highest number of cooperating doctors. The VZP is also the only insurance provider available for citizens from countries outside EU/EFTA. You can register at any branch of VZP (For example, the branch Na Perštýně 6, 110 00 Praha 1 is located directly in the city centre). Please keep in mind to register as soon as possible after your arrival. You can proceed to the VZP registration process under this link.
Special insurance offer for international students
Charles University offers to its international students a tailored product to ease the insurance process and provide high-quality, reliable health care coverage. All that with a student discount and extra benefits. There are two options our admitted applicants and students can choose from, available via our partners Pojišt'ovna VZP, a.s. (PVZP) and Slavia pojišťovna, a.s..
Further information about the special insurance offer for international students is available HERE.
Note: This is a non-exclusive offer. Students are free to choose any insurance provider that complies with Czech legislation. In case you decide to choose another provider or package, please ensure that the product includes all key services such as dental care, gynaecological examinations, psychological assistance, diagnostics and more, based on your individual needs. Careful consideration of your health insurance can save you worries, money, and ensure a peaceful stay during your studies in the Czech Republic.
Medical Care
Students of Charles University can find the necessary medical care via various means. Besides the faculty facilities and other recommended providers, the university partnered with AGEL – the biggest healthcare provider in Central Europe.
At AGEL, CU students do not pay any extra fees for being treated in English language. In case a third-party consultation with an outside specialist is required, students will be typically referred to a specialist who can also communicate in English. In rare cases when such option is not available, it is recommended to be accompanied by a Czech-speaking family member, a local friend or Buddy.
Further information regarding general practitioner at AGEL, stomatology at AGEL and other options (recommended healthcare providers) can be found HERE.
In the Czech Republic, non-prescription drugs and medicines are sold only in pharmacies. They are not available at supermarkets, as in many West European countries. Pharmacies may be recognised by the prominent green cross-displayed over the shop-front. Many have staff who can speak English or German, and are used to offering advice to tourists (especially in the city centres). However, if you are not able to get to the pharmacy for any reason, you can use one of the delivery services as Rohlik.cz.