Becoming a parent is an exciting moment in life—but when you’re a foreigner living in the Czech Republic, it can also raise questions about your newborn’s legal status and health insurance. The process differs depending on your nationality or residence status, and whether you are from a third country or a European Union (EU) member state.
This article provides a general overview to help you understand what steps may be needed. For personalized assistance and full support, our team at Foreigners is ready to help you manage everything.
If You’re a Non-EU Citizen (Third-Country National)
When a child is born in the Czech Republic to parents from non-EU countries, the child is allowed to stay in the country temporarily for up to 60 days without a visa or residence permit. Within that period, you must either apply for a legal residence status for the child or arrange their departure.
What Type of Residence Permit Can You Apply For?
The type of residence your newborn can receive depends on the status of the parents:
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Permanent residence permit – if at least one parent has permanent residence
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Long-term residence permit – if at least one parent holds a long-term residence (e.g. employee card)
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Long-term visa – if one parent has a valid long-term visa
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Short-term visa – if the parent only holds a short-term visa; in this case, apply through the Foreign Police
You must submit the application within 60 days of birth. If you are unable to apply within this timeframe due to circumstances beyond your control, notify the Ministry of the Interior or Foreign Police immediately. The deadline may be extended in such cases.
Health Insurance for the Child
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If applying for permanent residence, the child is automatically included in the public health insurance system from birth.
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If the mother holds a long-term residence permit, the child remains insured under the public health system during the processing of their residence permit.
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If neither parent holds permanent residence, and the mother does not have long-term residence, the child must be covered by private comprehensive health insurance from day one.
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The child must be insured with the same health insurance company as the mother at birth (or the father if the mother is not in the public system).
The legal guardian is responsible for reporting the child to the insurance company within 8 days of birth.
If Your Child Is an EU Citizen or a Family Member of an EU Citizen
For EU Citizens
If your child is born in the Czech Republic and holds citizenship of an EU country, you are not required to apply for any residence permit. However, you can apply for:
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Certificate of Registration for EU citizens – if the child will reside in the Czech Republic longer than 3 months. This is often needed for enrollment in kindergarten, school, or extracurricular activities.
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Permanent residence permit – if you as a parent already have permanent residence in the Czech Republic, you can apply for your child as well, citing family reunification. If the application is submitted within 60 days of birth, the child will be covered by public health insurance from the day they are born.
Health Insurance for EU Citizen Children
You are required to pay for health insurance from the day of the child’s birth—unless you apply for permanent residence for the child within 60 days and you (the parent) already have permanent residence. In that case, public insurance applies from birth.
For Family Members of EU Citizens
If the newborn is not an EU citizen but is considered a family member of an EU citizen, the child may stay in the Czech Republic temporarily for up to 60 days after birth. After that, one of the following options must be arranged:
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Temporary residence permit for family members of EU citizens – if the child will stay longer than 60 days. The application should be submitted no later than 3 months after the 60-day period ends.
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Permanent residence permit for family members of EU citizens – if you (the parent) have permanent residence. Submit the application within 60 days of birth. If you do, the child is covered by public health insurance from birth until the application is fully processed.
You can also apply for temporary residence instead of permanent, for example, if you don’t yet have permanent status yourself.
Health Insurance for Family Members of EU Citizens
The rules are similar: if you don’t apply for permanent residence for the child within 60 days, you must pay for private health insurance from birth. Once the child obtains permanent residence, they become part of the public health system.
Where to Submit the Application
In all cases, the application must be submitted in person at the Ministry of the Interior branch that corresponds to your place of residence in the Czech Republic. Only the legal guardian (usually one of the parents) is required to attend.
Let Us Handle It for You
Navigating legal procedures after your child is born can feel overwhelming—especially when dealing with Czech bureaucracy, deadlines, and documentation. Luckily, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Whether you’re from the EU or a third country, Foreigners can help you manage the entire process—from choosing the right type of residence permit to handling insurance and communication with Czech authorities.
👉 Contact us and we’ll take care of everything, so you can focus on your family.
