This chapter describes support for persons with a reduced ability to work in the Czech Republic. It explains how disability is defined, what are its individual levels and the calculation of invalidity benefits. EU nationals are eligible for invalidity benefits in the Czech Republic if they have or currently contribute to pension insurance.

We will explain how the following benefit works:

• invalidity pension (invalidní důchod).

In what situation can I claim?

An invalidity pension (invalidní důchod) is a form of financial support for persons who are unable to fully engage in work activities over the long-term for health reasons. Partial and full invalidity pensions were previously recognised. Only one category of benefits has existed since 2010. This is divided into three degrees depending on the severity of the person's disability.

Disability is evaluated based on the severity of the reduction in a person's ability to work. A 35% decrease in the ability to work is the threshold value. Its degrees are divided as follows:

A health and capacity to work evaluation is used to recognise disability and define its severity. Physicians in the Czech Social Security Administration's (Česká správa sociálního zabezpečení) medical assessment service (lékařská posudková služba) conduct such evaluations.

What conditions do I need to meet?

Invalidity pension

Disability is recognised if the applicant:

• is recognised as having any degree of disability by the evaluating physician;
• has not yet reached the age of 65;
• does not meet the conditions for receiving a standard old-age pension;
• has previously completed the stipulated periods of pension insurance.

An invalidity pension cannot be received along with an old-age pension. The invalidity pension is terminated at  the age of 65 when it is converted into an old-age pension.

Eligibility for an invalidity pension is conditional upon the following insurance periods:

Applicants over the age of 28 must have at least 5 years of insurance periods within the 10 years prior to the disability benefit claim.

If applicants above 38 do not have at least 5 years of insurance periods within the 10 years preceding the disability benefit claim, they must have at least 10 years of insurance periods within the 20 years preceding the disability benefit claim.

The required term of insurance is waived if the applicant's disability is the result of an accident at work or occupational disease or if the applicant has been declared disabled since childhood.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

Invalidity pension

The pension comprises two components:

• a basic amount;
• a percentage amount.

The basic amount is a fixed sum (10% of average wages) and does not change with the degree of disability. The basic amount is CZK 4,040 in 2023.

The percentage amount is defined individually. The calculation is relatively complicated and is mainly based on the applicant’s personal assessment base (see Jargon busters below), their insurance record and degree of disability. The percentage amount is calculated by Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ) staff.

The lowest percentage amount is CZK 770 for all degrees of disability.

Invalidity pension beneficiaries may work if their health permits so. Their earnings are not restricted in any way.

Where and how to apply

Invalidity pensions are applied for in person at Czech Social Security Administration regional offices - District Social Security Administrations (okresní správy sociálního zabezpečení).

Czech Social Security Administration staff will calculate the pension amount based on the applicant's specific situation.

Questions can be submitted using the Czech Social Security Administration's electronic registrar.

Jargon busters

• Disability (invalidita) is a situation in which a person's ability to work at a productive age is diminished by at least 35%.
• The basic amount (základní výměra) is a fixed portion of an invalidity pension. This amount is CZK 4,040 in 2023.
• The percentage amount (procentní výměra) is the floating portion of the pension that is defined for every applicant individually. This amount is based on income since 1986 and the number of years of pension insurance.
• The personal assessment base (osobní vyměřovací základ) is calculated using client´s average income since the age of 18 (from 1986 onwards). Older income is increased based on current prices.

Forms you may need

An invalidity pension application is completed with Czech Social Security Administration staff.

There is no need to complete any forms in advance.

Know your rights

These links do not lead to European Commission websites and do not represent the views of the European Commission:

• Pension Insurance Act (Zákon o důchodovém pojištění) (in Czech);
• Decree on Disability Assessment (Vyhláška o posuzování invalidity) (in Czech).

Please make use of EU assistance services if you experience any problems in applying your rights:

• Social security: your rights in the EU

Useful contacts

Czech Social Security Administration (Česká správa sociálního zabezpečení)
Křížová 25
225 08 Prague 5
CZECH REPUBLIC
Call centre: +420 257066077

Czech Social Security Administration client centre for pension information (Klientské centrum ČSSZ pro informace o důchodech) (in Czech)

List of Czech Social Security Administration offices (in Czech)

Czech Social Security Administration electronic register (in Czech)

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic (Ministerstvo práce a sociálních věcí ČR)
Na Poříčním právu 1/376
128 01 Prague 2
CZECH REPUBLIC
Tel. +420 221921111
Data box: sc9aavg