Advice for people with disabilities

The ZTP and ZTP/P cards are key to accessing many benefits. They are issued by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic (not the municipal office, as was the case in the past).

• TP: For people with a medium-severe functional impairment of mobility or orientation. Provides entitlement to priority services and reserved seats.
• ZTP: For people with a severe health disability. Includes all TP card benefits plus free local public transport and a 75% discount on selected domestic trains and buses.
• ZTP/P: For people with an especially severe disability requiring a guide/companion. Includes all ZTP benefits and additionally free transport for the guide.

How and where to apply: Submit the application on the prescribed form at the regional branch of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic according to your permanent residence. The process includes an assessment of your health condition by the Labour Office's assessing physician, who evaluates the degree of functional impairment rather than a specific diagnosis. Processing may take several weeks to months.

Disability pension

It consists of two parts:

• Basic amount: CZK 4,900 per month (the same for everyone).
• Percentage amount: Depends on your income, insurance period and degree of disability. From 2026, slightly lower reduction coefficients apply (e.g. 1.495% instead of 1.5% for the third degree).

Minimum percentage amounts (from 2026): 1st degree CZK 1,634, 2nd degree CZK 2,450, 3rd degree CZK 4,900.

Average pensions (after the January 2026 indexation): 1st degree ~CZK 10,485, 2nd degree ~CZK 12,383, 3rd degree ~CZK 18,214.

Care allowance

Entitlement arises based on an assessment of the degree of dependence on another person's help.

• Degree I (mild dependence): CZK 1,300
• Degree II (medium-severe dependence): CZK 5,400
• Degree III (severe dependence): CZK 14,800
• Degree IV (total dependence): CZK 23,000 or 27,000

Amounts are higher for persons under 18 years of age.

Mobility allowance

• Amount: CZK 900 per month.
• Eligibility: Persons over 1 year of age holding a ZTP or ZTP/P card who repeatedly use paid transport (confirmed by a declaration of honour). You do not need to own a car or a driving licence.
• Exception: CZK 2,900 per month (CZK 3,000 from 2027) for persons using long-term home oxygen therapy or artificial lung ventilation at home.
• Where to apply: Labour Office of the Czech Republic.

State social assistance benefit (the “super-benefit”)

In 2025, the Housing Allowance was merged with other benefits and is now called the State Social Assistance Benefit (often referred to as the “super-benefit”). It helps cover part of housing costs, such as rent or energy. Entitlement depends on income and housing cost levels. For people with disabilities, the standard conditions apply, but they often qualify due to lower incomes. Applications are submitted at the Labour Office.

Extraordinary immediate assistance

A benefit paid in situations where a person needs one-off help due to a sudden life event. For example:

• my income is below the subsistence minimum,
• a serious extraordinary event – natural disaster, fire…
• for the education or leisure activity of a dependent child,
• to purchase or repair essential basic household equipment (e.g. washing machine, fridge),
• there is a risk of social exclusion (e.g. after release from prison).

This is an individually assessed benefit provided by the Labour Office.

This contribution is intended for purchasing compensatory aids such as stair-climbing wheelchairs, vehicle modifications, computers with special software for the visually impaired, phones for people with sensory disabilities or a guide dog.

• Applicant's co-payment: Generally 10% of the aid's price, but at least CZK 1,000.
• Maximum contribution: CZK 350,000 for most aids (e.g. a stair-climbing wheelchair), CZK 500,000 for a vertical or inclined lifting platform, CZK 400,000 for a motor vehicle.
• Income test: For the motor vehicle contribution, the applicant's and family's income over the past year is assessed (it must not exceed 8 times the subsistence minimum).
• Where to apply: Labour Office of the Czech Republic.

• Working while receiving a disability pension: You can work while drawing a disability pension. The pension is not reduced due to earnings, but you need to watch the limits for participation in sickness insurance. The rules may vary depending on the degree of disability. You can find a summary of the webinar WORKING WITH A DISABILITY, prepared for Melodio by coach Ivana Kmochová, here.
• Employing people with disabilities and support: Employers can apply for financial contributions for setting up a sheltered job, partial coverage of operating costs, wages and employee transport. From 2027, an amendment to the Employment Act is planned, which should reduce the administrative burden associated with applications for sheltered labour market contributions and increase the annual contribution to operating costs of a sheltered job (from the current CZK 48,000).
• Self-employment (OSVČ): Self-employed persons should watch the amount of their contributions, because low contributions result in a low disability pension. The basic amount is fixed, but the percentage part depends on the assessment base.

• Labour Office of the Czech Republic: Provides retraining courses for job applicants, including people with disabilities. Retraining can be planned as part of an individual action plan.
• Retraining courses: The Labour Office can contribute to or fully cover these courses. They focus on gaining a new qualification or upgrading an existing one.
• Funding: In some cases, the contribution for a special aid can be used to purchase equipment needed for study (e.g. special software, a computer).

• Trains (České dráhy): Holders of ZTP and ZTP/P cards are entitled to a 75% fare discount in 2nd class of local, semi-fast and express trains. The guide of a ZTP/P cardholder travels free of charge.
• OneTicket: An integrated tariff allowing travel across the whole Czech Republic on a single ticket. It pays off when you transfer to another operator's train during your journey.
• Urban public transport: ZTP and ZTP/P cardholders (including their guide) are entitled to free transport within the given city.
• Airport: Prague provides assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility or orientation. These must be booked in advance with the airline.
• Train travel assistance: When travelling by train, people with disabilities can book assistance. This service is free of charge. Správa železnic (Railway Administration) staff will help you board and exit the train, transfer to another train, or move around the station. If you transfer to another operator's train during your journey, the assistance must be booked via OneTicket.

• Transport: See the Travel and transport section – key discounts of 75% and free urban public transport.
• Culture and sport: Many cultural and sports facilities (cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, swimming pools) offer significant discounts or free entry for ZTP/P cardholders and their guides. Always check with the specific venue.
• O2, ČEZ and other operators: Telecom operators and some energy providers have special tariffs for people with disabilities (e.g. discounted plans, discounts).

ČEZ offers a special product called “Electricity for ZTP”, which provides preferential electricity prices for ZTP or ZTP/P cardholders and their households. The contract can be arranged via the helpline 800 810 820 or at customer centres.

O2 provides holders of the ZTP or ZTP/P card with a state contribution of CZK 200 per month towards mobile tariffs, fixed internet, a fixed line or a prepaid card. The discount can be applied to most tariffs. Applications can be submitted in person at a store or sent by letter.

Other discounts: Admission discounts are also common at zoos, botanical gardens, castles and châteaux.

• Labour Office of the Czech Republic: The main place to apply for cards, allowances and benefits (mobility, care, special aid). up.gov.cz
• Czech Social Security Administration (ČSSZ): Administers and calculates disability pensions. cssz.gov.cz
• MPSV – Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: Oversees social policy; you can find an overview of laws and benefits here. mpsv.gov.cz
• NRZP CR – National Council of Persons with Disabilities: An umbrella organisation providing information about legislation, rights and news. nrzp.cz
• Assistance and counselling: There is a network of non-profit organisations providing legal and social counselling in various regions, e.g. Centrum pro zdravotně postižené or Život bez bariér. Visually impaired people can get help from TyfloCentra, TyfloServisy or branches of SONS (United Organisation of the Blind and Partially Sighted).