Students are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance and visas, residence and work permits, or other necessary documents. The information given below is for orientation; for the exact position you should contact the Czech Embassy in your country.
If you are a citizen of an EU or EFTA country, you do not need a visa. However, you have to register with the police within 30 days of your arrival in the Czech Republic. If you want to do any paid work in the Czech Republic, you will also need a work permit.
If you are a citizen of another country, you will need a visa (or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies). For more information click here. If necessary please contact the nearest Czech Embassy for details of the application process and the documents you will need. Please note that the process can take 2 to 3 months, and you will need confirmation that you are accepted as a student in order to apply for the visa.
Emergency numbers:
112 (EU-wide)
155 (Czech medical emergency)
158 Police
156 Municipal Police
150 Fire and Rescue Service
155 Emergency Medical Service
More emergency options: CU Emergency Help
If you have valid health insurance covering your stay in the Czech Republic, standard necessary treatment is free of charge, provided that:
You visit a medical institution (doctor, dentist, hospital) that has a contract with the Czech public health insurance system.
You present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) + confirmation of validity for the Czech Republic
(issued by a Czech health insurance company – please visit one after arrival).
Private clinics are not covered — you must pay yourself.
For European Students
You must hold a valid EHIC.
After arrival, visit a Czech public health insurance company to confirm its validity.
In cooperation with with
Pojišt'ovna VZP, a.s. (PVZP), Charles University offers to its international students a tailored product to ease the insurance process and provide high-quality, reliable health care coverage. All that with a student discount and extra benefits. Find out more about this offer here.
VZP – General Health Insurance Company
Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna (VZP) is recommended as the largest health care provider in the Czech Republic, with the highest number of cooperating doctors.
It is also the only insurance provider available for citizens from non-EU/EFTA countries.
You can register at any branch of VZP.
For example:
Na Perštýně 6, 110 00 Praha 1 (located directly in the city centre).
Please register as soon as possible after arrival.
You can proceed to the VZP registration process under this link
After showing your EHIC or its substitute confirmation, the insurance company will immediately issue a registration document with a Czech insurance number.
Bring both this document and your EHIC with you when visiting a doctor.
Highly recommended: Register your EHIC immediately after arrival — do not wait until you are unwell.
You visit a medical institution (doctor, dentist, hospital) that has a contract with the Czech public health insurance system.
You present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) + confirmation of validity for the Czech Republic (issued by a Czech health insurance company – please visit one after arrival).
Private clinics are not covered — you must pay yourself.
Wherever you are, you never know what might happen.
Download HERE
Záchranka is always ready in your mobile phone to quickly contact the emergency services or the mountain rescue service with the push of a single button. In addition, it has a number of other smart features and connections that will help you in an emergency.
General Practitioner at
Students of Charles University can find the necessary medical care via various means. Besides the faculty facilities and other recommended providers, the university partnered with AGEL – the biggest healthcare provider in Central Europe. Learn more about how to make the best use of the available means of help down below.
Urgent & After-Hours Care
Motol University Hospital – Foreigners’ Department
Address: V Úvalu 84, Prague 5
Adults: +420 224 438 590 / 573
English-speaking staff available.
Dental Care
Agel Dental Centre
Address: Italská 1800/35, Praha 2 Map link
+420 604 551 117
Psychological Counselling (Carolina Centre)
For all Charles University students — free of charge, in English
Address: Školská 13a, Prague 1 (small green door)
BOHNICE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL
Address: Ústavní 91, 181 02 Prague 8
+420 284 016 110 / +420 284 016 666
English-speaking doctor always present. No appointment needed.
Phone service may not always be in English.
PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC, GENERAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN PRAGUE
Address: Ke Karlovu 11, 128 08 Prague 2
The best way to get help here is a personal visit in working hours.
English speaking doctors are present.
Nurses usually don't speak English
Support Group for English-Speaking Students
Support Group for English-Speaking Students
Led by: Mgr. Anna-Marie Pospíšilová (psychologist) & Mgr. Jakub Fiala (coach)
Školská 13a, Prague 1 (Carolina Centre)
· Every Monday, 18:00–19:30
Starts: Every week during semester and exam period except public holidays
Summer semester dates TBD
Medicines and Pharmacies In the Czech Republic:
Non-prescription drugs and medicines are sold only in pharmacies (not in supermarkets, unlike in some Western countries).
Pharmacies are marked with a green cross.
Many pharmacy staff speak English or German and are used to assisting international visitors.
If you are unable to visit a pharmacy in person, you can use delivery services like Rohlik.cz.
Further information about medical care: Detailed information
Charles University
Protestant Theological Faculty
Černá 646/9
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic
Dean's Office:
(+420) 221 988 216
Office for International Relations:
(+420) 221 988 211
