A2 or B1 — Which Czech Exam Do You Need?
4 min read
The short answer: if you are applying for permanent residency, you need the Czech exam at level A2. If you are applying for citizenship, you need the B1 language exam plus a separate civics (reálie) exam. These are different exams, run by different institutions, under different rules — and preparation for one only partly overlaps with preparation for the other. This article helps you quickly determine which one applies to you.
A2 — the exam for permanent residency
The A2 exam is required in the permanent residency permit procedure (typically after 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic). Its legal basis is Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Sb. (as amended). It is taken at one of roughly 29 authorized schools across the country, coordinated by NPI ČR.
The exam has four modules — reading (40 min), writing (25 min), listening (~40 min) and speaking (15 min). You pass with at least 60% of the pooled written score (≥42 out of 70 points) and at least 60% in speaking (≥24 out of 40). The fee is CZK 3,200, you may attempt it at most 3 times per calendar year, and a fail means retaking the whole exam.
B1 + reálie — two exams for citizenship
For the granting of citizenship, Act No. 186/2013 Sb., §14 requires two separate exams, both administered by ÚJOP UK (Charles University):
- The B1 language exam — reading (50 min), listening (30–35 min), writing (60 min) and speaking (15–18 min, taken in pairs of candidates). You pass with at least 60% overall and at least 60% in each subtest (for one written subtest the rules allow a slightly lower bar — check with ÚJOP UK).
- The reálie (civics) exam — 30 minutes, 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from a publicly available bank (~30 topics: public life and institutions, geography, history and culture). You need at least 18 out of 30 points to pass. What exactly is tested is covered in our separate article on reálie.
Beware of a common misconception: A2 is not enough for citizenship — and conversely, if you are only aiming for permanent residency, you do not need to take B1 (though a higher level certainly doesn't hurt; whether the authorities will accept a higher-level certificate instead of A2 is something to verify with them directly).
The comparison in one table
| A2 | B1 (+ reálie) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is for | permanent residency | citizenship |
| Legal basis | Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Sb. | Act No. 186/2013 Sb., §14 |
| Who runs it | ~29 authorized schools (coordinated by NPI ČR) | ÚJOP UK |
| Modules | reading 40 + writing 25 + listening ~40 + speaking 15 min | reading 50 + listening 30–35 + writing 60 + speaking 15–18 min; reálie 30 min separately |
| Pass rule | ≥60% of the pooled written score (≥42/70) AND ≥60% in speaking (≥24/40) | ≥60% overall AND ≥60% in each subtest (one exception); reálie ≥18/30 |
| Fee | CZK 3,200 | check the current fee with ÚJOP UK |
| Retakes | max. 3×/year, the whole exam is retaken | all subtests are retaken; check conditions with ÚJOP UK |
Who needs neither
The exams concern third-country nationals in the respective procedures. You typically do not need either exam if:
- you are an EU citizen (no language exam is required for permanent residency of EU citizens),
- you are not (yet) applying for permanent residency or citizenship — long-term residence by itself does not require an exam,
- you fall under one of the exemptions (e.g. age, completed studies in Czech) — always verify the exact, current list of exemptions on the official pages or with the authority handling your application; we deliberately do not hard-code it here because it changes over time.
How to start once you know which one
- Learn the format: what the Czech A2 and B1 exam looks like and the overview of fees and venues.
- Take a diagnostic test in the real exam format: the A2 pack or the B1 pack — both free, timed, module by module.
- Polish writing and speaking in the training with AI feedback.
- Quick answers to the most common questions (fees, dates, exemptions) are in the FAQ.
Last verified: 2026-07-28. Requirements, exemptions and fees can change — before submitting an application, verify them on the official pages cestina-pro-cizince.cz (A2, reálie) and ÚJOP UK (B1). This text is not legal advice.