#ImmiUpdatesCzechia Are you a foreigner with children under 18 years of age with a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic? Pay attention. Starting January 1, 2024, they must become part of the Public Health Insurance System. Learn more in our article!
Minors can’t have private health insurance anymore.
What? When? Why?
In 2024, an amendment to the Public Health Insurance Act will be implemented, impacting the health insurance conditions for foreign minors with long-term residence in the Czech Republic. Notably, the purpose behind their long-term stay will no longer influence these conditions.
Under this amendment, minors below 18 years old will no longer have the option to opt for private health insurance. However, exceptions exist: those holding a long-term visa or temporary residence permit will remain unaffected by these changes and can continue to choose private health insurance.
Note that the obligation starts automatically when a person receives the first long-term residence permit, i.e. a document with biometric data. This applies when, f. ex. there is a change from a long-term visa to a long-term permit.
Nevertheless, for foreign minors residing in the Czech Republic under the category of a “fiction of residence” (application for extension of long-term residence not yet decided), mandatory registration with the public health insurance system becomes necessary.
What Public Health Insurance Companies Are There?
Even if it is obligatory for minors to be in the public health system, they can still choose the Insurance company. Currently, there are seven public health insurance companies in Czechia:
Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna České republiky
Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna České republiky
Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna
Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna zaměstnanců bank, pojišťoven a stavebnictví
Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda
Zdravotní pojišťovna ministerstva vnitra České republiky
Revírní bratrská pokladna, zdravotní pojišťovna
We recommend you check the links and choose the one that best suits your children’s needs.
Who Covers the Expenses?
In contrast to Czech children whose insurance expenses are covered by the state, there’s a significant difference for foreign minors with long-term residence. Here, the legal representative, trustee, or guardian bears the full responsibility for paying the insurance fees. It’s crucial to note that having public health insurance does not imply that the expenses are covered by the state or the representative’s employer.
The expenses are covered by the legal representative.
How to Avoid a Fine?
Keep in mind that you only have 8 calendar days to contract a public health insurance company and enter the minor into the public health system after January 1. If the minor is not registered within 8 days, the legal representative will be fined.
For children born in Czechia after January 1, if their mother holds a long-term permit, the child automatically becomes part of the public health system throughout the long-term residence permit application procedure. It’s important to submit this request within 60 days of the child’s birth and inform the health insurance company within 8 calendar days of the birth.
In the case where one of the parents holds permanent residence and applies for the same for a child born in the Czech Republic within 60 days, the child is covered by public health insurance until the end of the month in which they turn 60 days old. Subsequently, they remain covered as a permanent resident. The legal representative, guardian, or custodian must fulfill the reporting obligation to the public health insurance company within 8 calendar days.
What If the Private Insurance Is Still Valid?
If the minor’s private health insurance is valid until a certain date during 2024, they’ll enter the public health insurance system the following day. Don’t forget to contact the public health insurance company at least 8 calendar days before the private insurance expiry. If you don’t do that, you’ll get a fine.
The transition must be smooth and there must be no period of time when the children of foreigners are in the Czech Republic without valid health insurance.
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Source: FRS
Image source: Pexels, Unspalsh,
Changes to health insurance for minors starting from January 1, 2024, mark a crucial step towards ensuring comprehensive coverage and better access to healthcare for our younger generation.