How to find a general practitioner in the Czech Republic

Finding a good general practitioner is an important step in taking care of your health. Whether you have just moved, want to change doctors, or are looking to register your child. Although it may sound simple, you may encounter problems, especially with capacity or availability. A general practitioner is your first step towards preventing illness and, above all, towards receiving follow-up care if you do become ill. They recommend and write referrals to specialists and maintain your overall health records.

We will advise you on what to keep in mind when looking for a general practitioner.

Where to look for a general practitioner

If you are looking for a new general practitioner, there are several options available to you.

General practitioner for adults:

On the health insurance company's website – most insurance companies (e.g. OZP, ZP MVČR) have a list of contracted doctors on their websites.
Maps and databases of healthcare facilities, e.g. Zdravotniregistr.cz.
Recommendations from friends or family – personal experience is often the most valuable.

General practitioner for children:

Look for a general practitioner for children and adolescents (PLDD). The procedure is similar to that for adults, but always check the age specialisation in the list.

How to register with your new general practitioner

First, call or write to the doctor you have chosen and ask if they are accepting new patients. If so, make an initial appointment, during which you will usually sign a registration form.

Bring the following to your first appointment with your new doctor:

your identity card (or passport if you are not a Czech citizen)
your health insurance card
any documentation from your previous doctor. You have the right to request this.

You do not need a referral from your previous doctor, and your new doctor cannot refuse you without a serious reason if they have available capacity.

What are your rights as a patient when choosing a doctor?

As patients, you have several rights. These include:

To choose a doctor at your own discretion.
To change doctors once every three months without giving a reason.
To be registered with one general practitioner.
To request the transfer of your medical records when changing doctors. Your new doctor can request them.

If you are unable to find a GP

If several doctors have refused you because they are at full capacity, you can contact:

Your health insurance company, which is obliged to help you find a doctor.
The regional office or regional branch of the health insurance company.
In extreme cases, you can file a complaint using a special form with the Ministry of Health.

What if your friends or colleagues from abroad are looking for a doctor?

Foreigners are also entitled to register with a general practitioner. However, it depends on whether they are insured in the Czech Republic or in another EU country.

If they do not have Czech health insurance, it is usually possible to arrange payment for each service.

Finding a GP is not always easy, but with the help of the internet, recommendations or your health insurance company, it can be done. A good and accessible GP is the basis of prevention and healthcare, and it is worth paying attention to your choice.

Of course, you always have the option of using private healthcare. For example, at Unicare, you can choose a tariff according to your needs, which will give you above-standard treatment, unlike most overburdened public healthcare systems. The main advantages include shorter waiting times, client-oriented staff, better services and a more comfortable environment.

Sources:

https://mzd.gov.cz/jak-najit-lekare/

https://www.vzp.cz/o-nas/informace/zivotni-situace/vyber-lekare-pojistencem-vzp-cr

https://www.ozp.cz/pro-klienty/smluvni-lekari-ozp

https://www.zdravotniregistr.cz/

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