You can change your health insurance company (zdravotní pojišťovna) in Czechia only once every 12 months, and only as of 1 January or 1 July. The application (přihláška) must be submitted to the new insurer at least 3 months before the switch: by 31 March if you want to switch from 1 July, and by 30 September if you want to switch from 1 January of the following year. You don't need to notify your old insurer — the new one takes care of that. Below are the current deadlines for 2026, a full list of state insurers with their codes, the step-by-step application process, and a comparison of bonus programs.
You may change your state health insurer no more than once every 12 months, and always only as of the first day of a calendar half-year — that is, 1 January or 1 July. The přihláška for your chosen insurer must be submitted at least 3 months before the desired switch date. If you miss the deadline, the next opportunity comes six months later.
| Switch effective | Deadline to submit přihláška |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
| 1 January 2027 | 30 September 2026 |
| 1 July 2027 | 31 March 2027 |
Don't leave it until the last day — the application must be submitted within the deadline. You can only apply to one insurer at a time: if you send a přihláška to several at once, only one is valid and the others won't be processed.
Seven insurers operate within the public health insurance system (veřejné zdravotní pojištění). By law, they all provide the same basic coverage — the difference lies in their network of doctors, service quality, and bonus programs (fond prevence). Each insurer has a three-digit code that employers, doctors, and pharmacies use to identify it.
| Insurer | Code | Clients (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| VZP — Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna | 111 | ~6 million |
| VoZP — Vojenská zdravotní pojišťovna | 201 | ~0.7 million |
| ČPZP — Česká průmyslová zdravotní pojišťovna | 205 | ~1.2 million |
| OZP — Oborová zdravotní pojišťovna | 207 | ~0.7 million |
| ZPŠ — Zaměstnanecká pojišťovna Škoda | 209 | — |
| ZPMV ČR — ZP Ministerstva vnitra | 211 | ~1.3 million |
| RBP — Revírní bratrská pokladna | 213 | ~0.4 million |
VZP is the largest insurer with the widest network, but smaller insurers often offer more generous bonuses and respond faster. Before switching, check that your GP and pediatrician work with the new insurer — most doctors have contracts with all the major insurers, but exceptions do exist.
The process is the same for all insurers, only the forms differ. The application is signed by the insured person themselves or by their legal representative.
You don't need to inform your old insurer — the new one will notify it of the switch automatically. However, after the switch (within 8 days) you must inform your employer of the new insurer code, as well as your school or úřad práce if you're registered there. Return your old insurance card (průkaz pojištěnce) to your former insurer and let your doctors know about the change.
By law, treatment is identical across all insurers, so the real difference lies in the fond prevence — příspěvky (contributions) toward prevention, vaccinations, sports, dental care, and support for pregnant women and children. Insurers revise these amounts every year, so check the current terms on the fond prevence page of your chosen insurer before deciding.
| Insurer | Program | Sample 2026 contributions |
|---|---|---|
| VZP | Klub pevného zdraví, Moje VZP app | flu shot for ages 18–65 — 300 CZK; contributions for children and pregnant women; partner discounts |
| OZP | VITAKARTA | contributions toward check-ups, medical devices, sports |
| ČPZP | Zdravý život | bonuses for donors, healthy lifestyle, prevention |
| ZPMV (211) | Fond prevence | check-ups, sports and leisure, partner bonuses |
| VoZP (201) | Fond prevence | contributions for active people and athletes |
| RBP (213) | Fond prevence | prevention, mental health support |
For example, in 2026 VZP allocated more than 2.2 billion CZK to its fond prevence. But exact amounts and the list of partners change — check the insurer's official website before submitting your přihláška. We cover how to apply for and claim these contributions in our guide to preventive check-ups in Czechia.
The main trap is the příspěvky from the fond prevence. You can usually only claim a contribution while you're a client of that insurer at the time of applying, and the supporting document (e.g., proof of vaccination) must be dated in the current year. If you leave an insurer mid-year, any unclaimed bonuses from the old insurer are lost, while the new insurer's entitlements only start from the date of the switch. Practical tip: claim any available contributions from your old insurer before leaving, then check with the new insurer what you're entitled to and from when. Exact terms are listed on each insurer's fond prevence page.
By law, a newborn is registered with the insurer where the mother was insured at the time of birth (or the father's insurer, if the mother isn't insured). This must be done within 8 days of birth, presenting the representative's ID and the child's rodný list or confirmation that a rodné číslo has been assigned; registration is free. You can only switch a child's insurer after the rodné číslo has been assigned. The "once every 12 months" rule doesn't apply to a newborn's first insurer switch, but the change still only takes effect as of 1 January or 1 July. For more on choosing an insurer for your child, see our guide pediatrician and child health insurance.
Non-EU foreigners without access to state health insurance take out commercial insurance (komerční/PZP). But under certain circumstances, a person enters the public system — and this doesn't count as the "once every 12 months" switch, but rather as an initial registration, which can be done at any time once the entitlement arises:
What to do: choose a state insurer, fill out the přihláška, and attach the required documents (residence permit, employment contract, work permit if applicable). Then terminate your commercial insurance contract according to its terms: insurers often refund part of the premium for the unused period (check your policy's conditions). See our overview of options in the guide health insurance for foreigners; for a policy to extend your stay, see insurance for residence permit renewal.
No more than once every 12 months, and only as of 1 January or 1 July.
No. The new insurer will notify the old one automatically. You only need to inform your employer of the new code within 8 days and return your old insurance card.
By 31 March 2026. For a switch effective 1 January 2027 — by 30 September 2026.
The next opportunity arises six months later. If you miss the deadline for a 1 July switch, apply for 1 January instead (by 30 September) — and vice versa.
Yes. Switching insurers doesn't cancel outstanding contributions, interest, or fines — these must still be settled with your former insurer even after you leave.
Not necessarily. Most doctors work with all the major insurers. Check in advance with your GP and pediatrician whether they have a contract with your new insurer. For tips on choosing and booking, see our guide how to make a doctor's appointment.
Yes — via the insurer's website or app (often with verification through Identita občana/BankID), through datová schránka, or by email with an electronic signature.
If you need help with paperwork or switching to state insurance, get in touch with specialists: migration lawyers, doctors, translators. For questions about OSVČ contributions, accountants can help.
Deadlines and bonus amounts are valid for 2026 and may change. Before submitting your přihláška or claiming contributions, check the official website of your chosen insurer.
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