Financing options for the digitalization of the long-term care in Czech Republic

Social services in the Czech Republic are financed through a multi-source system, with state subsidies forming an important part of the funding. Additional revenues come from the Care Allowance, user fees, health insurance reimbursements, and grants provided by municipalities and regional authorities. While this mix of funding sources offers flexibility, it also creates financial uncertainty for providers, as fluctuations in any single component can significantly impact their budgets. Several national and international/EU funding schemes are available to support the provision and digitalisation of long-term care (LTC), including telecare and AI-powered solutions.

National Financing Schemes in the Czech Republic

  1. Care Allowance – A cash-for-care benefit introduced in 2007, paid to individuals dependent on long-term care to arrange social services. It is assessed based on dependency degree and helps bridge gaps between health and social sectors.
  2. More information: https://portal.gov.cz/en/sluzby-vs/care-allowance-S500
  3. Ministry of Health – Offers grants for LTC digitalisation efforts, including telemedicine and e-health system integration.
  4. More information: https://mzd.gov.cz/
  5. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – Oversees the LTC social service framework and supports digital development in institutional and home care.
  6. More information: https://www.mpsv.cz/en/
  7. Regional and Municipal Grants – Local authorities co-finance social services, including adaptation and digitisation projects. These grants support local LTC development.

International / EU Financing Schemes available in the Czech Republic

  1. National Recovery Plan (NRP) – Component 2.4 focuses on the digital transformation of healthcare. It enables the financing of digitalisation initiatives within healthcare facilities, including LTC institutions, and supports calls for the electronification of health services.
  2. More information: https://planobnovy.gov.cz/
  3. Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP) – Priority Axis 2 supports the digitalisation of social services, funding hardware, software, and related infrastructure. It also places strong emphasis on staff training in digital skills.
  4. More information: https://irop.gov.cz/cs/
  5. Operational Programme Technologies and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAC) - Provides support for projects in research, development, innovation, and digitalisation across sectors, including healthcare and LTC. Funding may be used for advanced technologies, ICT infrastructure, and solutions enhancing service quality.
  6. More information: https://optak.gov.cz/
  7. Operational Programme Employment (OPZ+) – Supports projects aimed at improving the qualifications of workers in social services, including training in the digital skills required for a digitalised LTC environment.
  8. More information: https://www.esfcr.cz/opz-plus
These funding opportunities, while diverse, require coordination and strategic planning to ensure that digitalisation efforts in LTC are implemented effectively and sustainably.