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Summary for: Here's what Czech doctors can (and can't) charge patients for in 2026Czech health authorities have begun enforcing strict new penalties for doctors who charge patients "registration fees" or payments for earlier appointments.
Under an amendment to the Health Services Act that took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, medical providers now face fines of up to CZK 1 million for demanding out-of-pocket payments for services already covered by public health insurance.
The crackdown targets a long-standing "gray market" in the Czech healthcare system. While charging for insurance-covered care was technically illegal before, officials lacked the legislative teeth to penalize offenders. "The general practitioner asked me for 500 crowns just to extend my registration," one Prague 4 patient told Novinky.cz. "I needed treatment quickly, so I paid."
The Ministry of Health clarified that the new sanctions apply to any unauthorized fees for admission to care, administrative "entry" charges, or premiums paid to skip waiting lists. "It is not possible to charge any fees for healthcare provided under public health insurance by contracted doctors," said Martin Balada, president of the Association of Health Insurance Companies in a press statement.
What Czech Doctors Can’t Charge for in 2026
- Care covered by public health insurance (e.g. preventive checkups, standard examinations, and medically necessary treatment)
- Registration or “joining” fees; any entry payment to become a patient is illegal
- Annual or “membership” fees
- Doctors cannot charge an annual “membership” fee to keep you on their patient list
- Patients cannot be required to buy add-ons to receive insured care (e.g. some gynecology packages)
- Red flag: Required annual fee = illegal (clinics risk fines of up to CZK 1 million)
Despite the ban, some fees remain legal. Doctors can still charge for services not covered by insurance, such as medical exams for driver’s licenses, firearms permits, extracts from medical records, or premium private hospital rooms. Additionally, providers may charge for unexcused missed appointments, provided the patient agreed to the terms in advance.
However, transparency is now mandatory. Doctors must display a comprehensive price list in a visible area of the waiting room or on their official website. "It is not enough to have a price list 'for the nurse to see,'" the Ministry noted.
How to report suspicious fees
For those navigating the system, the Ministry recommends addressing suspicious fees directly with the medical facility first. If a complaint is not resolved, patients should contact their health insurance provider or the regional office. Officials stressed that patients must keep receipts as documentation for any disputed payments.
Beyond government fines, insurance companies are prepared to take their own action. If a doctor is found to be charging illegal fees, insurers may refuse to reimburse the medical services provided or, in cases of repeated offenses, terminate the doctor's contract entirely. Since January, all hospitals are also required to staff an ombudsman to mediate these specific disputes.
What Czech Doctors Can Legally Charge For (2026)
- Medical reports for driver’s licenses, firearms permits, sports clubs, or personal record extracts
- English-language consultations (typically CZK 300–600), billed transparently and never as a condition for essential care
- Private hospital rooms or non-medical amenities (nadstandard)
- “No-show” fees, only if agreed to in advance in writing
- Elective procedures: Cosmetic surgery, certain dental materials (e.g. whitening, implants), and non-mandatory travel vaccinations
Source: Ministry of Health
