A preventive check-up in Czechia (preventivní prohlídka) is completely free for everyone insured under the public healthcare system — VZP, ČPZP, OZP, ZP MV ČR and other insurance funds. Adults are entitled to a check-up with a GP once every two years, a dental check-up once a year, a gynecological exam annually, plus specific cancer screenings based on age.
As of January 1, 2026, an updated version of the decree on preventive check-ups (vyhláška č. 70/2012 Sb., as amended by 403/2025 Sb.) has come into force: exams are now more thorough, with an added ECG, waist circumference measurement, and more frequent blood tests. Below is exactly what's covered, by which doctor, and how to book.
A preventive check-up is a scheduled examination for a healthy person aimed at catching diseases early. Everything included in the check-up under the decree is covered by your insurance fund through public health insurance (veřejné zdravotní pojištění). Your co-pay for the exam itself is 0 Kč.
Important: free preventive check-ups are available only to those within the public system (employees, self-employed/OSVČ, children, pensioners, holders of family-reunification residence permits, etc.). If you have commercial insurance (komerční pojištění: PVZP, Uniqa, Slavia, Maxima), the scope of preventive care depends on your policy — check your contract. For more on the differences, see our guide on health insurance for foreigners.
Adults can have a general check-up with their registered GP once every two years — in practice, once 23 months have passed since the last visit. What's typically included:
The updated decree expanded the scope of the GP check-up:
The exact set of tests depends on your age and risk factors — your doctor will determine the precise list that applies to you.
A dental preventive check-up (stomatologická preventivní prohlídka) is guaranteed free of charge once a year for adults. A second check-up in the same year is also free, but only if prescribed by the dentist for medical reasons — and no sooner than 5 months after the first one (signal code 00905).
It's the check-up itself that's free. Treatment (fillings with certain materials, crowns, implants) usually involves a co-pay — see price benchmarks in our guide dental treatment in Czechia: prices. To find a doctor, check our doctors and dentists directory. For registering a child with a dentist and pediatrician, see children's doctor and child insurance.
Women undergo a gynecological check-up once a year starting at age 15, including after menopause. What's included:
Besides doctor check-ups, the insurance fund also covers targeted cancer screenings free of charge. Ages and frequency:
| Program | Who's eligible | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Colorectal cancer | ages 45–74 | fecal occult blood test every 2 years, or screening colonoscopy every 10 years |
| Breast cancer (mammography) | women from age 45 | every 2 years, no upper age limit |
| Cervical cancer | women from age 15 | annual cytology with a gynecologist + HPV test at ages 35, 45, 55 |
| Lung cancer | current and former smokers ages 55–74 with a history of 20+ cigarettes a day for 20 years | low-dose CT scan on doctor's referral |
| Prostate cancer | men ages 50–69 | PSA test (as arranged with your doctor) |
| Aortic aneurysm | men ages 65–67 | one-time ultrasound |
As of 2026, the lower age limit for colorectal screening has been lowered from 50 to 45. The exact eligibility conditions (choice between the test or colonoscopy, age thresholds) depend on your age and your doctor's judgment — check with your GP or gynecologist about what applies to you this year.
Children's check-ups take place with a pediatrician (praktický lékař pro děti a dorost) and happen much more frequently, especially in the first year. The schedule:
Children's check-ups are combined with scheduled vaccinations. For how to register a child and set up their insurance, see our guide children's doctor and child insurance.
To get a free preventive check-up, you need a registered (registrující) doctor — a GP, dentist, or gynecologist you're registered with. If you don't have one yet, register first: step-by-step instructions are in our guide how to register with a doctor in Czechia.
Many insurance funds send SMS or letter reminders on their own, but it's best to keep track of the intervals yourself. If you're unhappy with your fund's service or want access to more prevention-related bonus programs, you can switch funds — see how to change your health insurance fund.
Yes. Everything included in the check-up under the decree is covered by the insurance fund — you pay 0 Kč. Only services outside the scope of prevention (for example, part of dental treatment) are charged separately.
There's no penalty — a preventive check-up is your right, not an obligation. But regular check-ups help catch problems earlier, and some screening programs are only available through a doctor's referral.
No, the tests and exams that are part of the preventive check-up for your age group are included free of charge.
If your check-up includes blood tests (glucose, lipids), they're usually done on an empty stomach. Confirm this when booking — your GP will tell you in advance how to prepare and what you can eat or drink before the visit.
The scope depends on your specific policy and is often narrower than under the public system. Check the terms of your contract, or see our guide on health insurance for foreigners.
As soon as you're enrolled in the public insurance system and registered with a doctor. There's no waiting period for a preventive check-up — the right to it comes together with your insurance. For how to find and choose a doctor, see our guide how to register with a doctor in Czechia.
Screening mammography is free for women from age 45, once every two years, with no upper age limit. Your gynecologist or GP can tell you the exact date of your next screening.
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