Czech A2/B1 exam cost and where to take it (2026)
4 min read
The Czech language exam at A2 level (for permanent residence) costs 3,200 CZK and is taken at a network of exam schools coordinated by NPI ČR. The B1 level exam (for citizenship) is administered by ÚJOP UK in Prague, and its current fees and dates need to be checked directly on the official page, since they can change from year to year. Below is an overview of both exams, plus links to check the numbers that move.
How much the A2 exam costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| A2 exam (written and oral part together) | 3,200 CZK |
The 3,200 CZK fee covers the whole exam — both the written and oral parts — so it isn't two separate payments. The exam is run by a network of roughly 29 authorized schools across the Czech Republic, coordinated by the National Pedagogical Institute (NPI ČR). The exact list of schools and contacts where the exam can be taken in a given year is always most up to date on the official page — we deliberately don't publish our own city list here, since the set of schools and the schedule change over time.
- Current exam information: cestina-pro-cizince.cz/trvaly-pobyt/a2
- List of authorized schools and contacts: cestina-pro-cizince.cz/trvaly-pobyt/a2/kontakty
How many times you can retake the A2 exam
You can take the A2 exam at most three times per calendar year. If you don't pass, the whole exam is retaken — you cannot register for just the part (written or oral) that went wrong. Exam sessions run several times a year; you'll find the exact schedule for a given year in the calendar on the official page (link above).
How much the B1 exam costs
The B1 exam is administered by ÚJOP UK — the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University in Prague. Unlike A2, we don't state a specific amount in crowns here — the current fee schedule is revised every year and can also differ depending on whether you're registering for the language exam only, or for the reálie exam as well. You'll always find the exact, current price on the official ÚJOP UK page.
One important thing worth knowing ahead of time: the reálie exam (basic knowledge of the Czech Republic) is a separate exam, distinct from the B1 language exam, with its own registration and sitting dates. When planning your registration, keep in mind you may need to arrange two registrations, not one.
- Current fee schedule and B1 exam registration: ujop.cuni.cz/zkouska/obcanstvi
- General information about the B1 citizenship exam: cestina-pro-cizince.cz/obcanstvi
- Reálie exam specification: cestina-pro-cizince.cz — Czech reálie exam
A2 and B1 side by side
| A2 — permanent residence | B1 — citizenship | |
|---|---|---|
| What it's needed for | permanent residence application | Czech citizenship application |
| Who administers the exam | network of authorized schools (coordinated by NPI ČR) | ÚJOP UK (Charles University, Prague) |
| Cost | 3,200 CZK (one payment, whole exam) | check the current ÚJOP UK fee schedule — can vary by language exam and reálie |
| Separate reálie exam | no | yes — its own dates, separate from the language exam |
| Maximum attempts per year | 3 | check ÚJOP UK's current rules |
| What's retaken on failure | the whole exam | check ÚJOP UK's current rules |
Legal basis
The requirement for the A2 exam for permanent residence is set by government regulation No. 31/2016 Sb., as amended (No. 199/2021 Sb. and No. 282/2023 Sb.). The requirement for the B1 exam for granting citizenship stems from §14 of Act No. 186/2013 Sb., on Czech citizenship, in force since 1 January 2014 — so the reálie exam isn't some recent addition; it has been part of the law from the very start.
Before you register
Before you start registering, it's worth knowing what the exam actually looks like — the types of tasks you'll face and how the exam runs. A detailed breakdown of the format of both exams is in the article what the Czech A2 and B1 exam looks like.
You can also use our site for free preparation:
- Sample tests in the A2 and B1 exam format — reading, listening, grammar, writing and speaking
- AI-graded practice — writing and speaking with instant feedback
Fees, dates and lists of exam venues change every year, and for the B1 exam they can also vary by individual situation — always verify the figures in this article on the official cestina-pro-cizince.cz and ÚJOP UK pages. This article is not legal advice; confirm the specific requirements for your case (residence or citizenship) with the office handling your application.