The A2 Czech exam for permanent residence

Most non-EU applicants for permanent residence need the A2 Czech certificate, and the waiting list is long, so sign up early.

Since 2 January 2024 there are no booking rounds to watch for. You register online once, choose one or more schools (or none, which usually means a shorter wait), and join a queue. When a seat opens, the system assigns it to the next person and you get an email. You can log in to see how many people are ahead of you. Changing school or cancelling sends you to the back of the queue. Note: older guides mention sign-up windows in particular months; the official site no longer describes any.

Once you have a date, the school emails you the payment details. You must pay CZK 3,200 at least 8 days before the exam and visit the school in person with your passport to check and sign the application form. Details cannot be fixed on exam day, so check your name and passport number carefully.

The exam has a written part (reading, listening, writing; 70 points) and an oral part (40 points). You need at least 60% in each. If you fail either part, you repeat the whole exam. Exams for dates from 11 April 2026 use an updated format: reading and listening are unchanged, but the writing and speaking tasks were reworked and the speaking part now includes a short pronunciation task. Practice tests are on the official site.

You do not need the certificate if you are an EU or EEA citizen, under 15 or over 60, have studied in Czech for the required time within the last 20 years, already hold certain recognised Czech language certificates, or have a disability that affects communication. The exact rules are in Government Regulation 31/2016; if you think you qualify, check with the Interior Ministry before you skip the exam.

The official site recommends signing up for the exam before you apply for permanent residence, because seats are limited.

In Brno

Brno exam schools: Jazyková škola s právem státní jazykové zkoušky Brno, Kounicova 684/16, and Masaryk University's Language Centre, Komenského náměstí 2. You can choose them on the registration form or leave the school open to join every waiting list.

In Prague

Prague exam schools include Akademické gymnázium a Jazyková škola, Školská 15 (Praha 1); Czech Technical University's Masaryk Institute, Kolejní 2637/2a (Praha 6); Charles University's Faculty of Arts, Na Příkopě 584/29 (Praha 1); Charles University's ÚJOP, Voršilská 144/1 (Praha 1); and UCT Prague, Jankovcova 23 (Praha 7).

Step by step

1. Check whether you are exempt. If not, plan to sit the exam.
2. Register on the official waiting list at registrace.cestina-pro-cizince.cz. Leaving the school open usually gets you a seat sooner.
3. Practise with the official model tests for the format that applies on your exam date.
4. When the email with your date arrives, pay the CZK 3,200 fee on time and visit the school to sign your application.
5. Sit the exam. Results come within about 9 days and the certificate does not expire.
6. Keep the certificate for your permanent residence application.

Last checked 2026-11-09. Open this guide in the app to add the dates to your calendar.