Health insurance for foreigners monopoly ends
18.07.2023
After two years, the monopoly on insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic, which was enforced by two ANO MPs during the previous government, is coming to an end.
This is the end of a situation that was criticised by almost everyone: ministry officials, politicians and insurance companies.
The monopoly meant that foreigners could only pay for insurance through the VZP insurance company, which is a commercial joint-stock company set up by the General Health Insurance Fund. On Wednesday, MEPs abolished the monopoly.
Some foreigners have to pay for health insurance in the Czech Republic if they stay longer than 90 days. This applies to people from so-called "third countries" - citizens from outside the EU or Switzerland (who are covered by the single European insurance system). This insurance is supposed to cover them both for the common flu and for acute surgery.
Previously, they could choose from the offers of several insurance companies, but after the intervention of ANO MPs, only the VZP insurance company is allowed to offer this service from 2021.