Author
Under Czech law and the public health insurance system, everyone residing in the Czech Republic who is covered by public health insurance has the right to health care under the same conditions as Czech citizens. Once enrolled in public health insurance, there may not be limitations to the health services provided compared to citizens of the Czech Republic.
For beneficiaries of international protection (recognised refugees and holders of subsidiary protection), health insurance is provided automatically when their status is granted, and they are incorporated into the public health insurance system.[1] This entitles them to a full range of healthcare services covered by public insurance, including medical consultations, specialist care, preventive services, emergency care, maternal and child health services, and necessary treatment — just like any other insured resident.
In Czechia, beneficiaries of international protection (refugees and holders of subsidiary protection) are entitled to mental health care under the public healthcare system on the same terms as Czech citizens, as they are covered by public health insurance.
Mental health and psychosocial support services have been integrated into the national response for displaced populations, particularly following the large influx of Ukrainian refugees since 2022. The World Health Organization (WHO) together with the Czech Ministry of Health and partners established coordinated mental health and psychosocial support interventions across multiple regions, involving dozens of service providers, and provided thousands of mental health consultations to Ukrainian refugees to address depression, anxiety and trauma‑related needs.[2]
However, there is no specialised national programme exclusively dedicated to victims of torture, SGBV, or other trauma that is separate from the general system; specialised clinical responses for these specific groups are not established as distinct legal entitlements beyond the regular mental health services available to all insured residents. In practice, both beneficiaries of international protection and Czech nationals face significant barriers to accessing specialised mental health care, including long waiting times and shortages of psychiatrists, psychologists and child mental health specialists.
A WHO qualitative study among refugees (primarily Ukrainian) found that although people are aware of available psychological services, many reported difficulties in accessing routine care, such as finding a family doctor or getting timely specialist appointments, and language barriers further complicate access even where services exist.[3] These structural constraints and the limited number of professionals make practical access to specialised mental health treatment challenging for beneficiaries of international protection, particularly those with severe trauma or torture‑related needs, similar to the situation faced by the general Czech population.
Some practical barriers may sometimes limit effective access, and many of these barriers are shared with Czech nationals but are exacerbated for beneficiaries of international protection. Language barriers are frequently reported as a major challenge: not speaking Czech makes it harder to communicate with providers, navigate the system, and complete necessary paperwork. According to the experience of OPU refugees also face difficulties finding and registering with a general practitioner, getting timely appointments (especially with specialists), and long waiting times for routine and specialised care due to limited health system capacity.
In the Czech Republic, COVID‑19 vaccination is provided free of charge through the public health care system for insured persons and is part of preventive public health policy. Vaccination against COVID‑19 is funded from public health insurance and available at contracted providers like general practitioners or vaccination centres. Beneficiaries of international protection (and asylum seekers once they are covered by public health insurance) have the same entitlement to vaccination as Czech citizens because they are participants in the Czech health insurance system.[4]
[1] Section 2(1)(b)(3) and section 2(1)(b)(4) of the Act No. 48/1997, on Public Health Insurance and on Amendments to Certain Related Acts, available in Czech here.
[2] See the information of the National Institute of Mental Health, available here.
[3] WHO, Results of a qualitative study among refugees from Ukraine in Czechia, May–September 2023, available here.
[4] See information of the General Health Insurance Company on Covid-19 vaccination available here.