Czech citizenship — requirements, documents, and the role of the B1 exam + civics
5 min readUpdated:
To be granted Czech citizenship, most applicants must prove Czech language knowledge at level B1 and, at the same time, knowledge of Czech civics — two separate exams, both administered by ÚJOP UK. The obligation is set by §14 of Act No. 186/2013 Sb. and has been in force since 1 January 2014.
In this article we walk through what a citizenship application involves, exactly what both exams look like, who is exempt, and what to watch out for when planning.
Citizenship by grant — where the exams come in
A foreigner who meets the statutory conditions can apply for the grant of Czech citizenship under Act No. 186/2013 Sb. Besides language knowledge, the law requires, among other things, a valid permanent residence permit and a set period of actual residence in Czechia, a clean criminal record, fulfillment of obligations towards the state (taxes, insurance), and proof of income sources. The exact list of conditions and the forms are on the website of the Ministry of the Interior — the application is filed with the regional authority for your place of residence, and the MOI decides on it.
The language side of the conditions is governed by §14 of Act No. 186/2013 Sb.: the applicant proves Czech at level B1 and knowledge of basic civics (reálie) — the constitutional system, cultural and social customs, geography, and history. In practice this means two separate exams, both at ÚJOP UK (the Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies of Charles University).
The B1 language exam
| Section | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 50 min | 25 |
| Listening | 30–35 min | 25 |
| Writing | 60 min | 25 |
| Speaking (in candidate pairs) | 15–18 min | 25 |
Speaking takes place in a pair with another candidate — assessed on individual performance, interaction within the pair, and pronunciation. Pass rule: 60% overall and 60% on each subtest; according to ÚJOP UK's current information, 50% may suffice on one written subtest — verify the exact mechanism on the ÚJOP UK page before your exam, as it can change.
A practical update: since spring 2025, the written and oral parts of the language exam can be taken on two different days — details and dates are on the ÚJOP UK page.
The Czech civics (reálie) exam
A separate exam: 30 minutes, 30 multiple-choice questions, each drawn from a different topic in a publicly published bank of roughly 30 topics (about 16 on the state and institutions, 7 on geography, 7 on history and culture). You need at least 18 out of 30 points (60%) to pass. Official specification: cestina-pro-cizince.cz — the Czech civics exam.
You can take both exams on the same day or split them up — the certificate from each is valid on its own, so you don't have to pass both at once on the first try.
How much the exams cost
According to ÚJOP UK's price list valid at the time this article was verified, the civics exam alone costs 2,000 CZK, the language exam alone 3,700 CZK, and both together 5,700 CZK. Prices change — always verify the current amount directly on the ÚJOP UK page before registering. We also keep an overview of prices and venues in How much the Czech exam costs and where to take it.
Who does not have to take the exams
Act No. 186/2013 Sb., §14 paragraphs 4 and 5, exempts from both the language exam and the civics exam applicants who:
- prove they completed at least 3 school years at a primary, secondary, or higher-education institution with Czech as the language of instruction,
- are under 15 or over 65 years old at the time of the application,
- have a physical or mental disability that prevents them from acquiring Czech language knowledge.
Careful: the exemptions for citizenship (B1) differ from those for permanent residency (A2) — e.g. the age threshold is 65, not 60, and the schooling must have lasted 3 years, not one. A complete comparison is in Who doesn't have to take the Czech language exam.
How to plan your preparation
B1 is a noticeable step up from A2 — plan for a longer preparation, especially for writing (60 minutes of your own text) and paired speaking. A sensible approach:
- Go through the structure of both exams — start with How the Czech A2 and B1 exams work.
- Try the free B1 sample tests in the real exam format, including civics.
- Practice writing and speaking with AI grading — these are the parts that most often decide the outcome.
- Register early via ÚJOP UK; the procedure is described in How to register for the Czech exam.
We answer the most frequent exam questions in our FAQ.
Verification and sources
Last verified: 28 July 2026. Official sources:
- Act No. 186/2013 Sb. on Czech Citizenship, §14 (paragraphs 4 and 5 — exemptions)
- ÚJOP UK — the exam for citizenship purposes (structure, prices, dates)
- cestina-pro-cizince.cz — specification of the Czech civics exam
- Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic (citizenship conditions, filing the application)
Conditions, fees, and dates can change. Always verify the current state on the official pages before registering for the exam and before filing your application. This text is not legal advice.