Permanent residency in Czechia and the A2 exam — who must take it and how the application works
4 min readUpdated:
Most people applying for permanent residency in the Czech Republic must prove Czech language knowledge at level A2 — by passing the official exam under Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Sb. But there are important exemptions, and a clearly defined procedure for how the exam certificate fits into the application at the Ministry of the Interior.
This guide covers who the exam applies to, who doesn't have to take it, how it works, and what to do with the certificate afterwards.
Who must take the A2 exam
The obligation to prove Czech language knowledge applies primarily to third-country nationals (i.e. citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA) applying for a permanent residence permit — typically after 5 years of continuous temporary residence in Czechia, or as EU Blue Card holders. Since 2021, the required level was raised from A1 to A2 (amendment 199/2021 Sb. to Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Sb.).
Citizens of the United Kingdom who obtained their residence status only after 31 December 2020 (i.e. after Brexit) must also take the exam. Britons whose residence was legalized before that date are — like EU/EEA citizens — exempt.
Who does not have to take it
There are more exemptions than people usually assume. According to the official exam page, the following groups in particular do not need to submit proof of the exam:
- EU and EEA citizens (and Britons with residence from before 31 Dec 2020),
- persons under 15 or over 60 years old,
- anyone who, within the last 20 years, completed at least one school year at a primary, secondary, or higher-education institution with Czech as the language of instruction,
- anyone who can present another recognized exam — e.g. a Czech maturita (school-leaving exam), a state language exam, a state final/rigorosum/doctoral exam in a Czech-taught program, the certified CCE exam at level A2 or higher, the citizenship-purpose exam, or the approbation exam for medical professions,
- persons with a physical or mental disability affecting their ability to communicate.
We've written a detailed breakdown of all exemptions for both A2 and B1 in a separate article: Who doesn't have to take the Czech language exam. The Ministry of the Interior always has the final say — if you're not sure, verify your situation at mvcr.cz or at the MOI office where you'll submit your application.
How the A2 exam works
The exam is delivered by a network of roughly 29 authorized schools coordinated by the National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic (NPI ČR). It consists of four sections taken on a single exam day:
| Section | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 min | 25 |
| Writing | 25 min | 20 |
| Listening | approx. 40 min | 25 |
| Speaking | 15 min | 40 |
Pass rule: the written sections (reading + writing + listening) are pooled — you need at least 60% of the 70 points, i.e. a minimum of 42 points, and at the same time at least 60% of the 40 speaking points, i.e. a minimum of 24 points. There are two gates: written and oral. Excellent reading can offset weaker writing, but speaking has to clear its bar on its own.
The exam costs 3,200 CZK and can be taken a maximum of three times per calendar year. A fail means retaking the entire exam, not just the failed section — so another attempt costs time and money again, and it pays to arrive prepared. We describe the individual task types in detail in How the Czech A2 and B1 exams work.
How the exam certificate fits into the residency application
The exam itself is just one of the conditions. The typical sequence looks like this:
- Register for the exam at one of the authorized schools — dates and registration are at cestina-pro-cizince.cz. Step-by-step walkthrough: How to register for the Czech exam.
- Pass the exam — on success you receive a certificate (proof of the exam).
- Submit the permanent residency application at a Ministry of the Interior office — you attach the certificate to the application together with the other required documents (proof of residence, proof of funds, proof of accommodation, etc.). The complete list of requirements and forms is at mvcr.cz.
We recommend taking the exam well in advance — don't wait until the last weeks before filing your application. If the first attempt doesn't work out, you'll need a buffer for a retake date.
How to prepare
The exam format is fixed, so the best preparation is to practice exactly the task types that await you. On this site you'll find free A2 sample tests in the real exam format — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — and AI-graded writing and speaking practice. Answers to the most common exam questions are summarized in our FAQ.
Verification and sources
Last verified: 28 July 2026. Official sources:
- cestina-pro-cizince.cz — the A2 exam for permanent residency (structure, exemptions, fee)
- Government Regulation No. 31/2016 Sb., as amended by 199/2021 Sb. and 282/2023 Sb.
- Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic (permanent residency application requirements)
Fees, dates, and conditions can change. Always verify the current state on the official pages before registering and before filing your application. This text is not legal advice.