The "Vstupní Prohlídka": Surviving Your Mandatory Czech Work Health Check

Swiss Medical Services
Mar 20
3 min read

Congratulations! You have navigated the interviews, signed the contract, and you are ready to start your new job in Prague. But just as you are celebrating, your new HR department hands you a piece of paper titled Žádost o provedení pracovnělékařské prohlídky and tells you that you cannot legally start working until a doctor clears you.

For many expats, this is their first collision with Czech occupational health law. Why do you need a doctor to confirm you are fit to sit at a desk and type on a laptop?

Here is everything you need to know about the Vstupní lékařská prohlídka (entrance medical examination), including recent changes to the law that might save you a trip.

What is the "Vstupní Prohlídka"?

Under Czech labor law, employers are required to ensure that their employees are physically fit for the specific tasks outlined in their job description. This is designed to protect both you (from workplace injuries) and the employer (from liability).

The examination must be completed before your official start date; you cannot sign the final paperwork or begin working until the doctor issues a certificate of fitness.

The 2026 Update: Is It Still Mandatory?

If you have lived in the Czech Republic for a while, you might have heard rumors that this check-up was abolished. The truth is slightly more complicated.

Following a major legal amendment that took effect in June 2025, the rules shifted:

Category 1 (Standard Office Work): If your job falls into Category 1 (non-risky administrative or light office work), the entrance medical exam is no longer automatically mandatory by state law. However—and this is a big "however"—your employer still has the legal right to require it voluntarily. Most international corporations in Prague still insist on it as part of their internal health and safety protocols. If they request it, you must comply.
Category 2, 3, and 4: If your job involves standing for long periods, handling chemicals, operating machinery, or driving, the examination remains strictly mandatory by law.
Under 18s: If you are a minor (under 18) taking on a summer job or part-time agreement (DPP/DPČ), the check is always mandatory.

The Expat's Nightmare: The "Výpis"

The actual medical check is quick and painless—usually consisting of a basic physical, a blood pressure check, a vision test, and a urine analysis.

The real stress for expats comes from the required paperwork. To conduct the exam, the occupational doctor must review a Výpis ze zdravotní dokumentace (an extract from your medical records).

This extract must come from your registered General Practitioner (GP). If you just moved to Prague and do not have a Czech GP yet, or your medical records are in another country, this can cause a massive delay in your hiring process.

How We Can Help Speed Up the Process

At Swiss Medical Services, we specialize in cutting through the red tape so you can get to work.

Corporate Partnerships: We act as the official occupational health provider for many of Prague's top international firms. If your company works with us, we know exactly what they need.
Primary Care Registration: If you need a registered GP to issue your Výpis and manage your long-term health in the Czech Republic, you can register with our clinic. We can handle your primary care and your occupational health checks all under one roof, in English.
Fast Turnaround: We understand that a delayed health check means delayed paychecks. We offer quick appointment scheduling and immediately issue the fitness certificate for your HR department.

If your new employer requires a check-up, make sure you bring your official ID, the employer's request form, and your medical extract to your appointment.

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