The standard of healthcare in Prague is high – in fact, the country’s healthcare scheme has been praised as one of the best in the EU. The affordability and standard of medical treatment in the country have even seen the Czech Republic emerge as a popular destination for medical tourism in Europe.
It’s compulsory to have health insurance in the Czech Republic, whether through a public or private health insurance provider. Czech citizens, residents and anyone working for a Czech employer are automatically insured under the country’s public healthcare system and pay monthly contributions. Other long-term visitors will have to use a private insurance company and short-term travellers are expected to have appropriate travel insurance.
EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare during a short-term visit to Prague. UK citizens can make use of their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.
Although public healthcare in Prague is excellent and heavily subsidised, patients might experience long waiting periods before receiving treatment. On the other hand, private facilities may be more suited to treating expats as they have a higher proportion of English-speaking staff and because they have a more service-oriented approach to providing medical care.
Pharmacies, some of which can be found attached to hospitals, are widely available in Prague, with some open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Read Healthcare in the Czech Republic to learn more about the national healthcare system.
Hospitals in Prague
Hospital Na Františku
Website: www.nnfp.cz
Address: Na Frantisku 847/8, 110 00 Praha 1
Thomayer Hospital
Website: www.ftn.cz/en
Address: Vídeňská 800, 140 59 Praha 4
Motol University Hospital
Website: www.fnmotol.cz/en
Address: V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Praha 5
Hospital Na Homolce
Website: www.homolka.cz/en
Address: Roentgenova 37, 150 00 Praha 5