Czech Language Exams for Permanent Residence and Citizenship

If you live in the Czech Republic, two state Czech exams can decide your next big step. The A2 exam is for permanent residence, and only people from outside the EU take it. The B1 exam is for citizenship, and every foreigner who applies takes it, EU citizens too. Both certificates have no time limit.

1. A2 exam

   Permanent residence

   For people from outside the EU and EEA who apply after five years in the country, or who hold an EU Blue Card.

   • CEFR A2
   • 3,200 Kč
   • Pass: 60% written and 60% oral
2. B1 Czech language exam

   Citizenship

   Taken with a separate test on Czech life and institutions when you apply for Czech citizenship.

   • CEFR B1
   • 3,700 Kč
   • Pass: 60% in each part

Both exams have a written part with reading, listening and writing, and an oral part. You do the B1 oral exam in pairs, so its time is for two people.

• A2, permanent residence
  • Reading40 min
  • Writing25 min
  • Listeningabout 40 min
  • Speaking15 min
• B1, citizenship
  • Reading50 min
  • Listening30–35 min
  • Writing60 min
  • Speaking15–18 min

At A2, reading and listening are worth 25 points each, writing 20 and speaking 40. You need 42 of the 70 written points and 24 of the 40 speaking points, and if you miss either one, you take the whole exam again. At B1, you need 60% in each part, but one written part can pass with 50%. If you fail any part of the B1 exam, you repeat all of it.

The A2 exam usually runs about three times a month, on Wednesdays or Saturdays from 9:00, at selected schools. You register online and wait to be given a date, and the wait is shorter if you don't pick a specific school. You then confirm the form in person at the school with your passport and pay at least 8 days before the exam. Results come by email or text message within 9 days.

The B1 Czech language exam runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00, often several times a month in Prague and less often in other cities. Sign up online at least 14 days before. You go on a waiting list, and when a date that fits your choices opens, you get an email with your date. Pay within 7 days of that email. Together with the life and institutions test, which costs 2,000 Kč, the B1 exams cost 5,700 Kč. Results go online 30 days after the exam, and the certificate comes by post within seven weeks.

The A2 oral exam checks that you understand people and can answer them in everyday situations. You build that by hearing and reading a lot of Czech you mostly follow, which is called comprehensible input.

• 🎧Listen and Read TogetherChoose short Czech texts with audio about errands around town, and read along with them a few times a week.
• 📝Take the Practice TestThe official A2 practice test has all four parts and takes about two hours. Redo reading and listening until you score at least 80%.

Buying a Tram Ticket in Brno

🧳

Kupování lístku na tramvaj v Brně

Lv 1

Jan je v Brně.

Jan is in Brno.

Stojí na zastávce.

He is standing at the tram stop.

Kupuje jízdenku.

He is buying a ticket.

Platí kartou.

He is paying by card.

Tramvaj jede.

The tram is coming.