General Requirements
All international students coming to Czechia are required to have valid health insurance.
- For the first 90 days of stay: You must have travel health insurance covering necessary and urgent care.
- For stays exceeding 90 days: You must have comprehensive health insurance, either from the beginning or arranged within the first 90 days after arrival.
Tip: Comprehensive insurance must meet the Czech legal requirements, including a minimum coverage limit of €400,000 per claim.
Students from EU/EEA Countries and Switzerland
If you are insured in your home country, apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before arriving.
- EHIC entitles you to state-provided, medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay under the same conditions as local residents.
- EHIC is issued free of charge by your national health insurance provider.
- EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It does not cover:
- Private healthcare
- Medical repatriation (e.g., return flight)
- Lost or stolen property
Students from Non-EU Countries
Some students from outside the EU/EEA may be exempt from the comprehensive health insurance requirement, including:
- Citizens of selected countries with bilateral agreements
- Participants in specific programs such as:
- Erasmus Mundus
- Fulbright
- Other recognized scholarship or mobility schemes
Please refer to the Czech Ministry of the Interior's official website for up-to-date eligibility and exemption criteria.
Comprehensive Health Insurance Requirements
All other non-EU international students staying longer than 90 days must:
- Arrange comprehensive health insurance within 90 days of arrival.
- Provide proof of insurance when applying for a long-term visa or residence permit.
- Upload confirmation of insurance in the CZU University Information System if participating in an exchange program.
You may choose any authorized insurance provider licensed in Czechia to offer this type of insurance.
Recommended Insurance Providers
Here are several providers commonly used by international students, with options meeting Czech visa and residence requirements:
UNIQA
- Offers comprehensive insurance for shorter periods
- Products: COMPLEX+, COMPLEX
AXA
- Offers comprehensive insurance with a minimum term of 1 month
- Product: Foreigner’s Comprehensive Health Insurance
Vitalitas
- Offers comprehensive insurance for a minimum term of 1 month
- CZU employees and family members are eligible for a 20% discount
Contact the Welcome Center for details
PVZP (Pojišťovna VZP, a.s.)
- Offers comprehensive insurance with a minimum term of 4 months
- Also provides short-term insurance products (details available on the PVZP website)
Final Notes
- Confirm that your insurance complies with Czech law, especially the minimum coverage amount (€400,000 per claim).
- Retain all proof of insurance for visa, residence, and university requirements.
- Use the Ministry of the Interior website or your local embassy/consulate for the most current legal obligations.