The Great July Exodus: Finding an English-Speaking Doctor When Prague Empties Out

If you have tried to schedule a meeting, book a contractor, or find a parking spot in Prague this week, you have likely noticed a shift in the air. The school year has officially ended, the temperatures are rising, and the city is preparing for its annual summer ritual: the great July exodus.

In the Czech Republic, the first week of July brings two major public holidays back-to-back: St. Cyril and Methodius Day (July 5th) and Jan Hus Day (July 6th). Because these holidays often fall near a weekend, a massive percentage of the local population uses this time to leave the city for their countryside cottages (chaty) or to drive down to the

Croatian coast.

And your local doctor is almost certainly going with them.

The Dreaded "Dovolená" Sign

For expats staying behind in Prague, the first two weeks of July can be a logistical nightmare when it comes to healthcare.

The Czech medical system is heavily reliant on independent public practitioners. During the July holidays, it is incredibly common to walk up to your General Practitioner’s office only to find a piece of paper taped to the door reading: "Z důvodu čerpání dovolené je ordinace uzavřena" (Due to holidays, the clinic is closed).

Often, this sign directs you to a "covering" doctor across town—who is usually overwhelmed, operating on a skeleton crew, and highly unlikely to speak English.

Avoid the Public Urgent Care Trap

If you wake up with a severe summer cold, a suspected tick bite, or a painful urinary tract infection while your GP is in Dalmatia, your options in the public system become severely limited.

Many expats panic and head straight to the public urgent care (Pohotovost) at major hospitals like Motol or Bulovka. During the July exodus, these waiting rooms are notorious for agonizingly long wait times, as they are absorbing the overflow of patients from all the closed private clinics in the city.

We Do Not Take a Summer Break

At Swiss Medical Services, we know that illness and injuries do not respect public holidays.

While the rest of the city slows down, our clinic remains fully operational. We ensure that our English-speaking GPs, pediatricians, and specialists have staggered schedules so that our expat community is never left stranded without high-quality medical care.

Whether you need a last-minute prescription refill before your own vacation, a sudden acute consultation, or simply routine care while your regular doctor is out of town, we are here.

Don't wait in a crowded hospital waiting room this July.

Enjoy the empty, peaceful streets of Prague knowing you have a reliable medical safety net.

📅 Need to see a doctor during the July holidays? Secure your appointment with our

English-speaking team today !

Visit Us!

​📅 Skip the crowded waiting rooms. Book a fast, private pediatric consultation today:

👉 Schedule your consultation here

📍 Location: Vodičkova 1935/38, 2nd floor, Prague 1, Czech Republic

⏰ Clinic Hours:

• Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM

• Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

📞 Contact Us: (+420) 604-665-439

📩 Email: reception@swissmeds.cz