How to Register for the Czech Exam for Permanent Residence (2026)
You cannot simply pick a date and turn up: the Czech exam for permanent residence has an official registration system and a limited number of places at accredited schools. Here is how it works, step by step, according to the official NPI ČR guidance.
Step 1: Register online
Register in the official online registration on cestina-pro-cizince.cz. You need a valid passport. Some schools also accept registrations in person, but you will usually wait for a date either way.
You can choose one or more schools, or none at all. The official advice is clear: if you do not choose a specific school, you usually get a date sooner, because the system places you wherever a seat becomes free first.
Step 2: Wait for your date
Registrations are processed in the order they arrive. When a place opens up, you receive your exam date by e-mail or SMS. Check your inbox regularly — including the spam folder — and tell the school straight away if your contact details change.
You must be registered at least 14 days before the exam.
Step 3: Confirm and sign in person
The school invites you to come in person with your valid passport (no other document is accepted) to check and sign your application. Do this at the latest 8 days before the exam. Check every detail carefully: your name, date of birth and passport number cannot be corrected on the day of the exam.
Step 4: Pay the fee
The exam costs 3,200 CZK. The school sends you its bank details, and the payment must reach the school at the latest 8 days before the exam.
Cancelling your date
- Up to 15 days before the exam, you can withdraw in person or in writing at your school. Include your name, date of birth, passport number and registration code.
- From 14 days before the exam, you can withdraw only for health or other serious reasons, with a written excuse and a medical report or other proof. If the school accepts it, you do not lose the attempt.
When should I register?
As early as you can. Waiting times depend on the schools' capacity and can be several months. The official guidance recommends registering for the exam before you submit your permanent residence application — the Ministry of the Interior then sets a deadline by which you must supply the certificate. You can apply for permanent residence only after five years of continuous stay.
Use the waiting time well
The wait is your preparation time. Many candidates register first and only start studying when the date arrives. Do it the other way round:
- Take the free mini exam to see which parts cost you the most points.
- Practise those parts until every task type is above 60 %.
- Take a full mock exam before your date to check that you would pass.
Read next: Czech A2 exam for permanent residence: the complete 2026 guide and Czech A2 exam day: timetable, rules and what to bring.