Czech Health Insurance on Emigration 2026: VZP Termination, S1 Form for EU/EEA and EHIC

VZP, ČPZP, OZP, ZPMV ČR and RBP: who to notify first

Czech public health insurance is mandatory for insured persons with trvalý pobyt in the Czech Republic or for employees of a Czech employer. Seven public health insurers (VZP with 60 % share, ČPZP, OZP, ZPMV ČR, ZP Škoda, RBP, ČP Zdraví) carry essentially the same obligations toward the insured. On emigration you are required within 8 days to notify the insurer of long-term stay abroad under § 8 of Act No. 48/1997 Sb. on public health insurance.

The key concept is ”long-term stay abroad” — a continuous stay longer than 6 months with intent to leave the Czech Republic permanently and with health insurance arranged in the destination country. With this notification the insurer suspends your premium liability for the period abroad.

Three emigration scenarios and their health-insurance impact

Scenario 1: Move to EU/EEA/Switzerland with employment

When employed by an EU/EEA/Swiss employer, you become insured in the local system (Krankenkasse in Germany, ÖGK in Austria, NHS+NIC in the UK, KELA in Finland) and under EU Regulation 883/2004 you stop being mandatorily insured in the Czech Republic. Process: in the destination country request form S1 (entitlement to healthcare in another state) and notify VZP/ČPZP/OZP, returning your insurance card. Before departure obtain an EHIC for temporary care during Czech visits.

Scenario 2: Move outside EU/EEA with local insurance

Moving to the USA, Canada, Australia, UAE or Singapore: notify your insurer of long-term stay abroad and provide proof of foreign health insurance. The insurer suspends premiums. Warning: failure to notify leads to retroactive premium accrual back up to 10 years with default interest of 0.05 % per day (about 18 % annually) — a typical 5-year arrears bill reaches 250 000-400 000 Kč.

Scenario 3: Short-term or unstable foreign coverage

For an unpaid year abroad (sabbatical, gap year) without local insurance you have three options: (a) keep paying VZP as OBZP (person without taxable income) at 2 970 Kč per month in 2026, (b) suspend insurance and rely on travel coverage abroad, (c) use EHIC for occasional EU stays. Option (b) leaves you uncovered in the Czech Republic on return — reactivation usually triggers back-payments.

Practical VZP notification in 2026

1. Download the form from VZP (vzp.cz), Moje VZP client portal or the mobile app, ČPZP (cpzp.cz), OZP (ozp.cz). Title: Oznámení o dlouhodobém pobytu pojištěnce v cizině.

2. Fill in details: rodné číslo, foreign contact address, start date of long-term stay, evidence of foreign health insurance (insurance contract, S1 form, employer letter).

3. Submit via data box, the insurer’s ePortal or by post within 8 days from the start of the stay. Return the insurance card (in person, by registered mail, or via CzechPoint at Czech Post — fee about 30 Kč).

4. Receive confirmation of the suspension. Keep it — you’ll need it on return for re-registration.

Back-payments on return: the most common emigrant trap

On return to the Czech Republic (trvalý pobyt or Czech employment) you again become a mandatory insured person. If you properly notified long-term stay abroad and provided foreign cover, no retroactive premiums are due for the period abroad. If notification was missing, you must pay OBZP premium (2 970 Kč × number of months) back, plus default interest 0.05 % per day. This is typically the biggest financial shock for returning emigrants.

EHIC, S1 and S2: three forms you should know

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card): right to necessary care in EU/EEA/Switzerland during temporary stays (tourism, short business trips). Issued free of charge by your current insurer. After emigration and switching insurer the EHIC is issued by the new destination country’s insurer.

S1 (Entitlement certificate): for cross-border workers and people working in one state and living in another. Issued by the insurer in the country of work, registered in the country of residence. Essential for full entitlement to care in the country of residence.

S2 (Planned care abroad): right to planned care in another EU country with cost coverage by your home insurer. Requires pre-approval (except for necessary care). Important for emigrants with planned operations.

Private health insurance for non-EU emigrants

For stays in the USA, Canada, Australia, Asia and beyond you typically need private health insurance recognised by local authorities (visa requirements, work permits). International insurers active in the Czech market: Allianz Care, Cigna Global, Bupa Global, AXA Global Healthcare, Aetna International, ERGO Direkt. Annual premiums in 2026: 1 500-8 000 EUR depending on age, geographic scope, dental/maternity coverage. Critical: avoid a gap between VZP end and new coverage start (minimum 14 days overlap recommended).

See also our deregistration guide and tax residency guide.