Nobody likes to think about things going wrong on vacation, but I find that spending a few minutes getting prepared for a “just-in-case” situation helps me relax and enjoy my trip a lot more.
Knowing who to call or where to go if you or someone you’re with gets sick or hurt is one of the best things you can do.
What to Do in a Medical Emergency in Prague
Think of this as your simple, straightforward safety net. The chances are very high you will never need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it. This guide gives you the essential numbers and steps in a clear way, so you’re prepared.
The Two Numbers You Need to Know
If an emergency happens, the last thing you want is confusion. In Prague, you really only need to remember one number, but it helps to know two.
The Best Choice for Tourists: Call 112
This is the universal European emergency number. The most important thing for you to know is that the operators are required to speak English. It’s a single point of contact for any serious problem, whether you need an ambulance, the fire department, or the police.
The Direct Local Option: Call 155
This is the direct line for the Czech ambulance service, the Záchranná služba. While it works perfectly well, the operator who first answers may not speak English, which can add stress to a difficult situation.
My simple recommendation is this: As a tourist, the best and safest number to call is always 112.
How to Make the Call: What to Say, Step-by-Step
When the operator answers, stay as calm as you can and speak clearly. If you feel there is a language barrier, the first and most useful phrase you can learn is:
- “Mluvíte anglicky?” (mloo-VEE-teh an-glits-kee?) — It means, “Do you speak English?”
Even if you just say “English, please,” they will understand and connect you to the right person. Once you have an English-speaking operator, be ready to provide this information step-by-step:
- 1. Your Exact Location: Be as precise as possible. Give the street name and building number. If you’re unsure, describe a major landmark, shop, or metro station you are near.
- 2. What Happened: Use simple terms. For example: “There has been a car accident,” “A man has fallen and is unconscious,” or “Someone is having severe chest pain.”
- 3. Who is Hurt: Tell them the number of people who need help, their approximate age, and whether they are conscious or breathing.
- 4. Your Name and Number: Give them your name and a phone number that works so they can call you back if the line gets disconnected.
Important: Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. They may need to give you instructions.
Getting Help for Urgent (But Not Life-Threatening) Issues
Sometimes you need a doctor, but you don’t need an ambulance. For something like a high fever, a nasty cut that needs stitches, or a suspected broken bone, it’s often faster to take a taxi or a Bolt/Uber directly to a hospital’s emergency room. In Czech, this is called the Pohotovost.
Hospitals with English-Speaking Services
You can go to any hospital, but some are better equipped for foreign visitors. These two have dedicated departments for foreigners and are used to dealing with tourists.
- Motol University Hospital (Fakultní nemocnice v Motole): This is a large, well-known hospital. Ask for the “Department for Foreigners and Private Patients,” which is set up specifically to help you.
- Na Homolce Hospital (Nemocnice Na Homolce): This hospital also has a specific department for foreigners with staff who speak English.
Dental Emergencies (Zubní pohotovost)
If you have severe tooth pain outside of normal business hours, you will need to go to a special dental emergency clinic. The main one for the city center is the Municipal Dental Emergency Service at Spálená 12, in Prague 1. This is a walk-in clinic designed for these exact situations.
Finding an After-Hours Pharmacy
If you need medicine late at night after most shops have closed, you’ll need to find a pharmacy that offers emergency service. Most pharmacies in Prague are not open 24/7.
The key phrase you’re looking for is “Lékárna s pohotovostí,” which means “pharmacy with emergency service.” These locations are open around the clock. Here are a few reliable options in central areas:
- Prague 1: Lékárna Palackého, located at Palackého 5.
- Prague 2: Lékárna U Anděla, located at Vlašimská 12.
- Prague 5: Lékárna v Nemocnici Na Homolce, located inside the Na Homolce Hospital.
You can give one of these addresses to a taxi driver, and they will know exactly where to go.
An Important Step: Your Travel Insurance
I want to talk about the one thing that makes all this other advice work: travel insurance. The healthcare in the Czech Republic is excellent, but it is not free for non-EU visitors, including Americans, Canadians, and many others. Without a good insurance policy, the costs can add up very quickly.
To give you a realistic idea, here’s what you might expect to pay out of pocket:
- A standard doctor’s visit: €80 to €150 or more
- A trip to the emergency room: Can easily start at €300
- X-rays or other tests: €100 to €500+
- An overnight hospital stay: Often starts at €500 per night
This is why I consider insurance as essential as my passport. If you do need to visit a clinic, always have these things with you:
- A printout or a PDF of your insurance policy on your phone.
- Your ID or passport.
- A credit card. Some private clinics may ask for a payment guarantee before treating you.
Here’s what this looks like in a real-life situation:
Imagine you’re exploring Prague Castle. Your mother trips on the old cobblestones and hurts her wrist. It’s swelling up, and you’re worried it might be broken.
Instead of panicking, you can take a Bolt or a private car directly to a clinic like Canadian Medical. You walk in, show them your travel insurance card and passport, and they get you seen by a doctor. It turns out to be a bad sprain. Within 90 minutes, you’re on your way back to your apartment with a brace, some peace of mind, and clear instructions.
That insurance policy might have cost you a hundred dollars, but it just saved you from a potential bill of thousands. And that’s money I think you’d much rather spend on chimney cake, a boat ride on the Vltava, or a day trip to a fairy-tale castle.
A Quick Note on Getting Around
Prague’s public trams and metro are fantastic for getting around the city. But if you’re in the middle of a stressful medical situation, navigating public transport is the last thing you want to do.
I would strongly suggest you opt for a private car or a ride-sharing service like Bolt or Uber if:
- You’re not sure exactly where you’re going.
- It’s late at night, or the weather is bad.
- You’re with children, an older person, or anyone who is in pain.
- You simply want the safest, most direct route to a clinic or back to your hotel without any fuss.
It’s a small extra cost that can make a huge difference in a difficult moment. I hope this guide helps you feel prepared, so you can put it out of your mind and have a wonderful, and above all, safe trip to Prague.