Stay healthy, save money: Do you know these Czech health insurance perks?

Navigating health insurance can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the Czech system offers surprising opportunities to improve your wellbeing in ways you might not expect. If you’re an expat living or planning on living in the Czech Republic, you probably know that public health insurance covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and basic treatments. What you might not know is that your insurance might also help pay for gym memberships, spa treatments, therapy sessions, or even smartwatches in some cases.

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone residing in the Czech Republic, whether you are a citizen, long-term resident, or an expat. Without valid insurance, you won’t be able to access healthcare services, and in some cases, not even obtain a visa or residence permit.

Public health insurance in the Czech Republic is available to Czech citizens, EU/EEA nationals, and foreign residents employed by a Czech company. Employees contribute to the system automatically through payroll deductions. 

Czech public insurance offers comprehensive coverage and access to state and private healthcare facilities. It also provides a range of preventive benefits, including financial contributions for wellness, fitness, therapy, and even vaccinations.

Commercial health insurance in the Czech Republic, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility and tailored coverage, making it an attractive option for expats who don’t qualify for or just don’t want public insurance. 

Many plans provide shorter waiting times, access to private clinics, and multilingual support, ensuring a more convenient healthcare experience. „Some premium policies even include comprehensive wellness benefits, dental care, and direct billing options,“ adds Hluchý.

While it may not offer the same broad coverage as public insurance, the ability to customize plans and access private, high-quality care makes it a valuable choice for those looking for a more personalized approach to healthcare.

Choosing the right insurance is not just about medical care, but also about maximizing perks and financial benefits that fit your lifestyle. Understanding your options can help you save money while staying healthy in the Czech Republic. What perks do Czech insurance companies offer?

Czech health insurance providers offer numerous benefits beyond standard care, often encouraging preventive check-ups such as screenings for breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate exams, colon cancer tests, and even ultrasounds for organ health or diabetes prevention.

Insurance can make dental and vision care more affordable through annual contributions toward dental hygiene and partial coverage for glasses, contact lenses, or corrective laser surgery. Staying active is also rewarded, with subsidies for gym memberships, fitness classes, and sports club fees, plus contributions toward children’s swimming lessons or ski training.

Mental health care is supported with contributions for therapy sessions, counseling, and online mental health support. Pregnant women and new mothers may receive aid for prenatal screenings, genetic tests, yoga, lactation consulting, and baby essentials.

Insurance plans often go beyond basics, covering additional vaccinations like those for HPV, flu, tick-borne encephalitis, shingles, and RSV. For those with medical dietary needs, subsidies for gluten-free or low-protein diets help reduce costs. Cryotherapy, physiotherapy, and spa treatments are sometimes included for specialized or alternative treatments.

Relaxation is recognized as part of wellness, with contributions for spa stays, wellness retreats, and caregiver support. Blood donors benefit from financial bonuses, wellness perks, and coverage for regular donations or bone marrow/platelet donations.

For those who need or want commercial insurance and with so many benefits available, choosing the right plan can make a real difference in your health and budget. If your current provider doesn’t offer the perks you need, it may be time to switch to a more beneficial plan.

Instead of spending hours researching, you can easily compare Czech insurance providers online in minutes. With Frenkee, expats can find the right commercial insurance from the comfort of their home – without gimmicks or annoying meetings.

It’s worth taking a few moments to explore your options. After all, your insurance should work for you, not the other way around. Want to know which commercial plan works best for you? Try Frenkee’s comparison tool and find the perfect fit today.