Medical Emergencies in Prague: Who to Call and Where to Go

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Facing a medical emergency in Prague can be stressful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the Czech healthcare system, don’t speak the language, or are unsure whether your insurance covers local treatment. Whether you’re a tourist visiting for a weekend or an expat building a life in the Czech capital, knowing exactly who to call and where to go during a medical emergency in Prague can make a critical difference. This guide cuts through the confusion and gives you clear, actionable steps so you’re never caught off guard.

The Essential Emergency Numbers in Prague

Before anything else, save these numbers in your phone today — not when you need them.

112 – The Universal European Emergency Number

112 is the single most important number to remember. It connects you to emergency services across all EU countries, including the Czech Republic. Operators are trained to handle calls in multiple languages, and you will be directed to the appropriate service — ambulance, fire, or police. This is your first call in any life-threatening situation.

155 – Czech Ambulance Service (Záchranná Služba)

155 is the dedicated Czech emergency medical number. It connects you directly to the ambulance dispatch center. While operators primarily speak Czech, Prague’s dispatch centers have English-speaking staff available, particularly during peak hours. If possible, stay calm, state your location clearly, and describe the nature of the emergency.

158 – Czech Police

Call 158 if your medical emergency involves a crime, accident, or public safety concern. Police in Prague frequently assist in coordinating emergency medical responses in complex situations.

156 – Municipal Police (Městská Policie)

The Prague Municipal Police can also assist in emergencies occurring in public spaces, parks, or areas where the city’s own patrol officers may reach you faster.

Where to Go: Prague’s Main Emergency Hospitals

Prague has several major hospitals equipped to handle serious emergencies. Knowing the right one for your situation saves precious time.

Motol University Hospital (Fakultní nemocnice v Motole)

Located in Prague 5, Motol University Hospital is the largest hospital in Central Europe and handles the most complex emergency cases, including pediatric emergencies. It has one of the best-equipped emergency departments (urgentní příjem) in the country. Many of its doctors speak English, and it regularly treats international patients.

• Address: V Úvalu 84, 150 06 Praha 5
• Emergency line: +420 224 431 111
• Best for: Complex trauma, pediatric emergencies, neurosurgery, cardiology

Vinohrady University Hospital (Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady – FNKV)

Situated in Prague 10, FNKV is a centrally located major hospital with a busy emergency department that frequently treats tourists and expats. It is well-connected by public transport and has English-speaking staff in key departments.

• Address: Šrobárova 1150/50, 100 34 Praha 10
• Emergency line: +420 267 163 111
• Best for: General trauma, internal medicine emergencies, surgery

General University Hospital Prague (Všeobecná Fakultní Nemocnice – VFN)

Located in the New Town (Prague 2), VFN is one of the oldest and most prestigious hospitals in the Czech Republic, closely affiliated with Charles University’s Medical Faculty. It is highly accessible from the city center.

• Address: U Nemocnice 499/2, 128 08 Praha 2
• Emergency line: +420 224 961 111
• Best for: Internal medicine, oncological emergencies, specialist consultations

Na Homolce Hospital

Na Homolce has a long-standing reputation as Prague’s most internationally oriented hospital. It was one of the first Czech hospitals to actively build an international patient department and is frequently recommended for expats. English, German, and Russian are commonly spoken here.

• Address: Roentgenova 2, 150 30 Praha 5
• Emergency line: +420 257 271 111
• Best for: International patients, cardiology, neurology, planned urgent care

Understanding the Czech Emergency Department System

What Happens When You Arrive at the Emergency Room

Czech emergency departments operate on a triage system — your priority is determined by medical urgency, not by the order of arrival. Don’t be alarmed if someone who arrived after you is seen first; their condition is simply more critical. You will be assessed by a triage nurse upon arrival and assigned a category.

What Documents to Bring

Whenever possible, bring the following:

• Passport or ID card — required for registration
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — if you are an EU/EEA citizen
• Private travel or health insurance card and policy number
• List of current medications (a photo on your phone is perfectly acceptable)
• Known allergies and blood type — if you have this information

Language Barriers: Navigating Czech Emergency Care

Language can be a significant barrier in Czech public hospitals. While many younger doctors and nurses in Prague speak at least basic English, this is not guaranteed — especially at night or in smaller facilities. Here’s how to handle it:

• Use Google Translate’s camera feature to translate printed documents in real time.
• Keep a written note in Czech describing your condition for the worst-case scenario. For example: “Mám bolesti na hrudi” (I have chest pain) or “Jsem alergický/á na penicilín” (I am allergic to penicillin).
• The 1212 non-emergency medical helpline can sometimes assist with language guidance.
• Private clinics and hospitals like Na Homolce and Canadian Medical Care maintain dedicated international patient coordinators who can assist with translation and communication.

Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies: Urgent Care Options

Not every medical issue requires a full emergency room visit. For urgent but non-critical situations — a bad infection, a sprained ankle, a fever that won’t break — Prague offers several faster alternatives.

Private Urgent Care Clinics for Expats

Several private clinics in Prague offer walk-in or same-day urgent appointments with English-speaking doctors. These clinics operate outside the state insurance framework, making them fully accessible to tourists and expats with private or travel insurance:

• PragueDoctors.com — English-speaking GP and specialist services, available for urgent consultations and home visits
• Canadian Medical Care — Dejvice, offers 24/7 urgent care for registered patients
• EUC Clinic Praha — multiple locations across the city, fast appointments

After-Hours Pharmacy (Lékárna) Assistance

Pharmacists in the Czech Republic are highly trained and can provide substantial guidance for minor emergencies. Several pharmacies in Prague operate 24 hours, including:

• Lékárna Palladium — nám. Republiky 1, Prague 1 (central location, extended hours)
• Lékárna u Anděla — Štefánikova 6, Prague 5 (near Anděl metro)

Always call ahead to confirm 24-hour availability, as schedules can change seasonally.

Insurance and Payment: What You Need to Know

EU Citizens with EHIC

If you hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to emergency medical treatment at Czech public hospitals under the same conditions as Czech citizens. This means treatment is free or at a heavily subsidized cost. However, the EHIC does not cover repatriation, private clinic visits, or non-emergency procedures. Always carry it with you when traveling within the EU.

Non-EU Tourists and Visitors

If you are a non-EU visitor — from the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere — you are generally expected to pay upfront for emergency treatment at Czech public hospitals and then seek reimbursement from your travel insurer. Costs can be significant. Always travel with comprehensive travel health insurance that explicitly covers emergency hospitalization in the Czech Republic.

Expats with Czech Public Health Insurance (VZP or others)

If you are an expat legally employed or residing in the Czech Republic, you are most likely enrolled in the Czech public health insurance system through your employer or as a self-employed individual. Your insurance card grants you full access to emergency care at any contracted public hospital. Familiarize yourself with your insurance fund (pojišťovna) and carry your card at all times.

When to Use Travel Insurance vs. Czech Public Insurance

This is a question many expats get wrong. If you have Czech public health insurance, always use it first — it will cover you completely for emergency care. Travel insurance should be used as a supplement, primarily for repatriation costs, follow-up care abroad, or non-covered services. Do not double-claim; it is considered fraud under Czech law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will Czech emergency room staff speak English?

In Prague’s major hospitals — particularly Motol, Na Homolce, and FNKV — you will generally find at least one English-speaking doctor on shift, especially during daytime hours. However, this is not legally guaranteed in the public system. Nursing staff may have limited English. For the best language support in non-life-threatening situations, consider private English-speaking clinics such as PragueDoctors.com, which can also facilitate hospital referrals and act as your medical advocate throughout the process.

Q2: My travel insurance requires pre-authorization for hospital treatment. What should I do in a real emergency in Prague?

In a genuine life-threatening emergency, go directly to the hospital or call 155/112 immediately. No reputable travel insurer requires pre-authorization before emergency life-saving treatment — this would violate Czech and EU law. What you should do as soon as you are stable is contact your insurer’s emergency assistance line (usually printed on your insurance card) to notify them of the hospitalization. Keep all medical reports, receipts, and discharge summaries; Czech hospitals will provide these in Czech, and you can request an official English translation through the hospital’s international patient department, though this may carry an administrative fee.

Q3: Is it safe to call an ambulance in Prague, or will I receive a bill I can’t afford?

Calling an ambulance via 155 or 112 in Prague is always the right call in a genuine emergency — never hesitate out of fear of cost. For EU citizens with EHIC, ambulance services related to an emergency are covered. For non-EU tourists, costs may apply, but ambulance fees in the Czech Republic are significantly lower than in countries like the US. More importantly, travel health insurance typically covers emergency ambulance transport. The key is having valid insurance and documenting everything for reimbursement. Your life always takes priority over billing concerns.

PragueDoctors.com’s Insider Tips

Pro-Tip #1: Know Your Hospital’s “Urgentní Příjem” vs. “Pohotovost” — They Are Not the Same

One of the most common mistakes foreigners make in Prague is confusing urgentní příjem (the full emergency department, equivalent to an A&E) with pohotovost (an out-of-hours GP service). Many Czech hospitals and clinics have separate entrances and completely different care pathways for each. If you walk into a pohotovost with a genuine emergency, you may face delays while being re-routed. Always ask explicitly — or look for signs marked “URGENTNÍ PŘÍJEM” in red — if you believe you need emergency-level care.

Pro-Tip #2: The Czech Insurance Bureaucracy Trap for Expats — Pre-Approval for “Planned Urgent” Care

Here’s something that surprises even long-term Prague expats: Czech public health insurers (VZP, OZP, ZPMV, etc.) technically require a referral from a registered GP (praktický lékař) for specialist visits — even semi-urgent ones. If