New: Public health insurance for minors (under 18) with long-term residence permit

The newest amendment of Act No. 326/1999 Coll. on the residence of foreigners and the related laws stipulates that from 1st January 2024 minors (under 18 years of age) who have a valid long-term residence permit must be insured in the public health insurance system. Until the end of 2023, such persons could (and had to) take out private health insurance.

As of 1st January 2024, when this amendment has come into power, two situations can occur:

• The minor has already been granted a long-term residence permit. Such person must be registered in the public health insurance system starting the day after their private health insurance has run out.
• The minor has applied for a long-term residence permit and the process is still ongoing. Such person must be registered in the public health insurance system starting the day the permit becomes valid.

The minor’s parent or guardian is responsible for registering the minor with a health insurance fund of their or the minor’s choice.

The termination of the minor’s public health insurance terminates the day their long-term residence permit becomes invalid, or the day they reach maturity (18 years of age). In both cases it is obligatory by law to notify one’s health insurance fund of this change.