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help for care of a sick family member

What does “Ošetřovné” mean in Czechia?

Ošetřovné (care allowance) is a payment from sickness insurance for someone who must stay home to care for a sick family member.

How much and for whom

  • 9 days — standard
  • 16 days — for a single insured person with a child under 16 years old
  • 60% of DVZ (daily assessment base)
  • the child must be under 10 years old
  • střídání (changing caregivers) — only once

Who is eligible (updated 2025)

  • employees with an employment contract
  • OSVČ (Czech self-employed status) — if participating in sickness insurance for ≥ 3 months before the need arises
  • DPP (agreement on work performance) — if participating in insurance (threshold 12,000 CZK/month)
Important. From 01.01.2025 (Act No. 395/2024 Coll.), both self-employed persons (OSVČ) and persons with a work performance contract (DPP) have the right to care benefits. Some pages from ČSSZ (Czech Social Security Administration) from 2022–2023 still write that they do not have this right — official information is not always up-to-date.

Examples of use

SK
I applied for sick pay for my sick child.
I applied for Ošetřovné (sickness benefit for a child) for my sick child.
SK
Care allowance is 60% of the daily assessment base.
Ošetřovné (sickness benefit for care) is 60% of the daily base (DVZ).

Frequently asked questions

Can a self-employed person (OSVČ) receive sickness benefit for care?
Yes, from January 1, 2025 — provided you have participated in sickness insurance for at least 3 months before the need arises.
How many days of sickness benefit?
9 days; a single insured person with a child under 16 years old — 16 days.

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