Sickness Insurance Benefits Czech Republic

Employees usually participate in Czech sickness insurance automatically through employment. Self-employed persons must register and pay contributions voluntarily. Eligibility depends on participation in the insurance system and on the conditions attached to each benefit.

The Czech sickness insurance system includes sickness benefit, maternity benefit, paternity benefit, attendance allowance, long-term attendance allowance and compensatory benefit in pregnancy and maternity. Benefits are administered by the Czech Social Security Administration.

Sick pay in the Czech Republic

When an employee is temporarily unable to work, the employer pays wage compensation for scheduled working days during the first 14 calendar days. From the 15th day, sickness benefit is paid by the relevant social security administration for every calendar day, including weekends and public holidays.

According to the Czech Social Security Administration, the benefit is calculated from the reduced daily assessment basis:

• 60% until the 30th day of incapacity;
• 66% from the 31st to the 60th day;
• 72% from the 61st day.

Sickness benefit is normally available for a maximum of 380 calendar days. Payment is made retrospectively, usually within one month after the administration receives all correctly completed documents.

Who is covered by sickness insurance

Participation is generally compulsory for employees whose work meets the legal income and employment conditions. Contributions are handled through the employer.

Self-employed persons participate voluntarily. In 2026, the minimum monthly sickness insurance contribution for a self-employed person is 243 Kč. To receive sickness benefit, participation must normally last for at least three months immediately before the incapacity begins. During the first 14 days, a self-employed person receives no wage compensation or sickness benefit.

Other sickness insurance benefits

The Czech system also provides:

• Maternity benefit for eligible insured parents during maternity care;
• Paternity benefit for an insured father or eligible insured caregiver after childbirth;
• Attendance allowance when an insured person must care for a sick child or another eligible person;
• Long-term attendance allowance when prolonged home care is necessary;
• Compensatory benefit in pregnancy and maternity when an employee is transferred to lower-paid work because of pregnancy or maternity.

The exact qualifying period, payment rate and maximum duration differ for each benefit. Updated conditions are available on the official Czech sickness insurance information page.

How to report sickness

A doctor records temporary incapacity through the electronic sick-leave system known as eSick Leave. The employee must inform the employer immediately. The medical diagnosis is not disclosed to the employer.

Since 2025, applications and communication for selected sickness insurance benefits have been processed electronically between the doctor, employer and social security administration. The applicant may receive an electronic submission identifier to provide to the employer.

Benefits after employment ends

Sickness benefit may still be available if incapacity begins during the protection period after insured employment ends. This period is normally seven calendar days, provided the employment insurance lasted at least that long. For maternity benefit, a longer protection period may apply to women who were pregnant when their insured employment ended.

Conclusion

Sickness insurance benefits in the Czech Republic replace part of lost income during illness, maternity and family care. Employees are generally insured automatically, while self-employed persons must join voluntarily. During ordinary sick leave, the employer covers the first 14 days and the state pays sickness benefit from the 15th day, subject to the applicable insurance conditions.