Czech A2 Permanent Residence Exam Guide
Most applicants for permanent residence in the Czech Republic must prove Czech at A2 level. This guide explains the official exam, registration, exemptions, and preparation.
Who needs the exam and who runs the information
The official exam is the Zkouška z češtiny pro trvalý pobyt (A2). The information site cestina-pro-cizince.cz is operated by the National Pedagogical Institute of the Czech Republic (NPI ČR), with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education (MŠMT) taking part. It is not a ÚJOP exam; ÚJOP runs the separate CCE exam.
Applicants for permanent residence generally need this A2 proof, and permanent residence normally requires five years of continuous residence. Some people are exempt, but do not rely on old summaries: check the current rules on ipc.gov.cz and cestina-pro-cizince.cz before you register.
Registration, payment, results and retakes
Register online at cestina-pro-cizince.cz at least 14 days before the exam. Only selected schools hold the exam. You can choose a school, but choosing no specific school usually means a shorter wait.
The school invites you to confirm and sign the application in person with a valid passport, at the latest 8 days before the exam. You pay the official fee of CZK 3,200. On exam day, bring your valid passport, arrive 30 minutes early, turn off your phone, and do not use dictionaries or other aids.
Results are available within 9 days. After passing, you receive the Osvědčení o znalosti českého jazyka, collected at the school or posted within 30 days; it has unlimited validity. If you fail, you repeat the whole exam, pay again, may retake it no earlier than 3 months later, and may take it at most 3 times per year.
How to prepare
The 2026 exam has Reading for 40 minutes, Writing for 25 minutes, a break, Listening for about 40 minutes, and Speaking for up to 15 minutes on the same day. Reading, Writing and Listening together require at least 42 of 70 points, and Speaking requires at least 24 of 40 points. If you fail either part, you repeat the whole exam.
Use the free official handbook, model tests and online Test nanečisto first. CzechReady complements them with daily practice, timed mock exams that follow the 2026 structure, feedback on Writing and Speaking, photo upload for handwritten Writing practice, and an AI voice examiner for Speaking. CzechReady is independent, and AI scores are estimates for practice, not official results or a guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
What level is the permanent residence exam?
It is A2. You need practical Czech for everyday situations, plus enough control to complete the exam tasks in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.
How much does the exam cost?
The official fee is CZK 3,200. You pay when you confirm and sign the application in person at the school.
When do I get the certificate?
Results are available within 9 days. The certificate is called Osvědčení o znalosti českého jazyka and has unlimited validity.