Planning to study in the Czech Republic? When you’re preparing for a study or exchange stay at a university or specific programme, you’ll have included (or are yet to include) health insurance on your TO DO list. The following lines will help you choose it and set the correct insurance parameters. It is definitely worth not underestimating this important part of your study trip. With a quality health insurance policy, you can be sure that you will be perfectly and as far as possible taken care of in the event of any medical disability or accident.
What you will learn in this article:
What the Czech health system looks like
Which insurance coverage to choose
Healthcare in the Czech Republic. Solid and quality
In the Czech Republic, health insurance is based on the principle of solidarity. This means that citizens pay a compulsory amount for health insurance, which goes into the funds of health insurance companies, which then reimburse patients for the necessary care or interventions. We are therefore talking about public – statutory – health insurance, as well as public health institutions (whether state, regional or municipal). Legislation determines the scope of care provided. In addition, there are private health care facilities in the Czech Republic. The health care system in the Czech Republic is at a very good level. According to the Czech Prosperity Index, only 0.2% of the Czech population does not receive medical care for financial or capacity reasons.
When the EHIC is (not) enough
If you are coming to the Czech Republic to study from one of the countries of the European Union or from Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, you can rely on the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). This is the health insurance card you normally use in your home country. “However, I also advise European students to take out commercial health insurance. This is for at least two reasons. Because with a card you are only entitled to the care you need. In addition, it is likely that you will have to pay for it in the Czech Republic and have the amount reimbursed by your insurance company when you return home,” says Ladislav Griga from Fabrika ads, which operates the InfoCizinci.cz website.
If you come from a country that is not in the European Union (and neither is Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway), you choose your insurance based on how long you plan to study in the Czech Republic. If less than 90 days, basic foreigners’ health insurance covering necessary and urgent care is sufficient. But be aware that this insurance has lower policy limits and does not cover preventive health checks or dental procedures. Unlike comprehensive health insurance. “This is a definite option for longer study or language stays in the Czech Republic – for a semester, for the whole academic year. However, because of its comprehensiveness, we also recommend it for shorter stays. Some insurance companies no longer offer the necessary and urgent care option at all and focus only on the comprehensive one,” Griga adds.
Comparison of offers
Thanks to our first health insurance comparator for foreigners, you can easily compare offers from different insurance companies, arrange online and pay directly. In our model example, we entered:
- Insurance type – Student/Comprehensive Foreigners Health Insurance
- Duration of insurance – 6 months
- Age of the insured – 20 years
And what proposals did we receive?
IPA, member of AXA Insurance Group offers unlimited preventive care (after approval) for CZK 5,650 and CZK 5,000 for prescribed medicines. There is also a limit of 5,000 for dental treatment. The insurance also covers the cost of selected vaccinations.
Colonnade has comprehensive health insurance for foreigners in Standard and Premium variants. The Standard variant costs CZK 7,322 in our example. It can also include liability insurance at an additional cost. Preventive care is not unlimited, but only once a year. However, dental treatment is available for up to CZK 20,000.
The price tag for the Premium variant is CZK 14,340. It has the highest possible coverage on the Czech market (CZK 25 million) and is supplemented not only by liability insurance but also by accident insurance.
For SV insurance we reach the amount of CZK 8 100. Preventive care is unlimited after approval, the limit for dental treatment is CZK 6,000. Of course, round-the-clock assistance services are standard with all insurance companies. The amount of the insurance benefit for comprehensive health insurance is set by legislation at a minimum of EUR 400,000, without any deductible for the insured. This insurance is also a prerequisite for visa applications or applications for long-term residence.
