Over half a million people—mainly foreigners—don't have a GP in Czechia

More than half a million people in the Czech Republic are not registered with a general practitioner (GP), and the majority of them are foreigners, according to new data from the Health Ministry.

Of the 554,000 people without a registered GP, 65 percent are foreign nationals, including applicants for international protection such as Ukrainian refugees. In its new report, the Health Ministry says many in this group still access care through emergency rooms, outpatient clinics, or specialists, despite not having a designated doctor.

“Registration with a GP is not mandatory in the Czech Republic. This does not mean that those without a GP are without access to care,” Health Minister Vlastimil Válek said Thursday.

Roughly 53,000 individuals show no evidence of having received any healthcare in the country. “These are likely people who no longer reside in the Czech Republic but maintain permanent residence status,” director of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics Ladislav Dušek said.

Among the current total are 193,000 Czech citizens, including 34,000 children. Despite lacking formal registration, a significant portion still receives preventive care. According to Dušek, one‑third of unregistered children and one‑fifth of unregistered adults underwent preventive exams last year.

To improve access, the Health Ministry launched a complaint and support website, nedostupnapece.mzcr.cz, where residents can report difficulties in finding a GP, pediatrician, or specialist. In 2023, over 21,000 people used the form, with most successfully securing a doctor.

Despite overall progress, some regions continue to struggle with GP shortages. The worst-affected areas include Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem, and districts in South Moravia, Pardubice, and Olomouc. Pediatric care shortages are especially severe in northwest Bohemia, the Pilsen Region, and parts of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.

Foreigners and Czech citizens alike can search for a public GP through their health insurer—especially VZP, the country’s largest public health insurer. VZP’s website and its e‑VZP portal include a searchable list of contracted GPs, sortable by specialty and location. 

If you’re unable to secure a GP, VZP is obliged to assist by referring you to a healthcare provider.

Additionally, users can try independent platforms such as ZnamyLekar.cz or NavstevaLekare.cz, which allows filtering doctors by specialization, location, insurance accepted, language, and patient reviews.