Medical Care and Health Insurance

 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

An EHIC card is a proof that you are insured in an EU country, including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

In the Czech Republic, the EHIC card is issued automatically with your national health card by your Public health insurance provider. If you are an EU citizen, you receive a blue EHIC card valid in all EU countries including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The EHIC card is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU country under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country. However, while travelling, we recommend you to take an extra travel insurance, as the EHIC card covers only necessary care.

MEDICALLY NECESSARY HEALTHCARE

Citizens of EU countries & holders of EHIC should register their card with a Czech health insurance provider after their arrival. We recommend VZP as the largest health care provider in the Czech Republic with the highest number of cooperating doctors (meaning that the medically necessary expenses of your medical treatment should be covered without any issue).

Registering your EHIC in the Czech Republic will make it easier for the insurance company to bill your medical expenses to the health insurance company in your home country. You will also be assigned a “health insurance number” which will make it easier for doctors to look up your medical files.

You will receive an insurance card stating “Lékařsky nezbytná péče” = medical necessary healthcare:

Note that treatments exceeding the necessary medical health care will be billed separately and may be very expensive!

Students from Turkey need to take to the VZP office the paper they have from their Health insurance provider in Turkey and register it as well.

Then when visiting a doctor, take both your EHIC and the yellow insurance card with you.

Do not forget to bring your passport with you when visiting the branch of VZP.

FULL HEALTHCARE

It is also possible to register for full healthcare. In such a case you have to visit a branch of your health insurance company in your home country and fill in the so-called S1 Form. In some countries, your health insurance company will do the process online and send the form automatically to the Czech Republic, in some other countries, you will be given a hard copy of the form to submit it in person in the Czech Republic.

Once you arrive in the Czech Republic, visit a branch of the VZP health insurance company. You will be assigned a “health insurance number”, and you will receive an insurance card stating that you are entitled to “Plná péče” = full health care.

Registration of EHIC Card

We recommend making an online registration with VZP.

Send an email to: info@vzp.cz and attached these following documents:

1. the copy of your EHIC (students from Turkey send a copy of the paper they have from their Health insurance provider in Turkey).
2. Copy of your passport or ID card.
3. Filled in the registration form.

 Medical care

If you are a foreigner living in Prague (or closeby), it is good to know where to go when you are not feeling well. The majority of Prague’s large hospitals have an emergency department where the emergency services mainly focus on providing diagnostic and medical care not only to Czech citizens but to foreign citizens as well. 

Practical information

  In the event of a life-threatening emergency, call the emergency medical services at 112 or 155.

• Health center Puls 

Nearby UCT Prague dormitories. Ask your buddy to accompany you since they do not speak English there. Bring your health insurance card/confirmation and money with you. 

Tel.: 267 189 156 - check the opening hours here. 

• University Hospital Motol - Department for foreigners 

The department of the hospital will arrange a visit with a doctor, take care of all the administrative details regarding payment, and assist with language or other issues.

  You can find other tips for hospitals that could help you here and here.

• Private General Medical Practice at Dejvická 

Available on Czech public health insurance and to holders of European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) as well as for patients who are not covered by these public health insurance options. 

 Psychological care

Students should focus on positive mental health that would help them to thrive and reach their optimal potential at work, study, and in life. At times, students might experience difficulties that may cause disruption and confusion in their lives. Studying usually involves a significant commitment of time and effort and requires a disciplined routine in order to achieve academic success. That itself can place significant stress on mental health. It is important that, in times of high stress, students have strategies in place to protect their mental health.

• 112 – Emergency Telephone Number

Counselling and Career Centre UCT Prague

UCT Prague offers psychological counselling. Psychological counselling is a safe place for anyone who needs free mental health help. If you are worried about problems that make it difficult for you to study, don't be afraid to contact  Counselling and Career Centre UCT Prague and find a suitable solution together with the psychologist. Whether you are in a crisis situation, dealing with long-term family or personal problems or troubled by interpersonal relationships, Counselling and Career Centre UCT Prague find the right help for you.

  For more information, visit Counselling and Career Centre UCT Prague webpage here.