Are you expecting a baby? Find out what you need to think of if you are you are expecting a baby in the Czech Republic. First of all, you need to secure legal residency status for the child's continued stay in the Czech Republic, find a pediatrician for the child before giving birth, and secure health insurance for the child by reporting the birth to the health insurance company within 8 days. 

 

Legal residence status

The most common case is that the mother or the father applies for the same residence permit for their child as the one under which they are staying in the Czech Republic.

 

In simple terms, the procedure can be layed out like this:

 

Who: the child's legal representative (mother, father)

When: within 60 days of the child's birth

Where: the relevant office of the Asylum and Migration Policy Department (OAMP) of the Ministry of the Interior (contacts here)

What: apply for temporary protection (or long-term residence/permanent residence, visa for tolerance)

 

If one of the parents of the newborn child has a different type of residence permit, the parents may choose to apply for the same type of residence permit for the child. Typically, this is the case if one of the parents is, for example, a foreign permanent resident or a citizen of the Czech Republic, which are residence permits that are more advantageous for the holder.

• If one of the parents of the newborn child has a different type of residence permit, the parents may choose to apply for the same type of residence permit for the child. Typically, this is the case if one of the parents is, for example, a foreign permanent resident or a citizen of the Czech Republic, which are residence permits that are more advantageous for the holder.
• If one of the parents of the child is a citizen of the Czech Republic, the child acquires Czech citizenship and the rights associated with it, even if he or she acquires citizenship of another country at the same time. Details can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.

Birth certificate

You will need to provide the child's birth certificate and proof of travel health insurance with your application (you do not need to provide proof of insurance if you are applying for temporary protection or permanent residence for your child).

 

The birth certificate (i.e. the deferral of the child's birth) will be issued by the local registry office based on the records of the maternity hospital. Be sure to collect it from the relevant registry office.

 

Important: You must apply for a birth certificate 3 days after the birth of the child and the application is usually made by the maternity hospital. The registry office will prepare the birth certificate within 30 days of the application and you will need proof of identity (passport or residence permit) to collect it.

 

Health insurance for the baby

Parents are obliged to find a doctor for their children. This is called a pediatrician. You will need to report the name of the pediatrician to the maternity hospital and you need to find one before the baby is born. You can find out more about health care in the article Health care.

 

You must also report the birth of your baby to the health insurance company within 8 days of the birth. The report is made to the insurance company of the mother. By reporting this, the child gains public health insurance (this does not apply if his/her residence permit does not allow him/her to join the public health insurance – e.g. a tolerance visa).   

 

Need help or advice about giving birth? Contact the free counseling provided by the network of Integration Centers and NGOs across the Czech Republic.