How to learn Czech in Czechia: courses, apps and tutors in 2026
Czech seems intimidating only in the first few months: the cases, the vowel-dropping and words without a single vowel, like “zmrzl”, can be off-putting, but the system is actually quite logical, and everyday life only requires a basic level. For a foreigner in Czechia, the language is also a practical necessity: without it, finding a job, handling paperwork and obtaining permanent residency — which requires a confirmed A2 level — become much harder. This guide lays out the whole route: where to start, where to study for free, which language schools, online platforms and apps to choose, and how the state exam works.
Where to start: your goal and your CEFR level
Before choosing a course, decide why you need Czech and what level you need to reach. Proficiency is measured on the common European scale, CEFR: from A1 (complete beginner) and A2 (basic everyday communication) through B1–B2 (confident conversational and working language) to C1–C2 (fluency close to a native speaker). A2 is enough for daily life, shopping and simple chats with neighbours. Working at a Czech company usually calls for B1–B2, while studying at a Czech university or working in certain professions (medicine, for instance) typically requires B2 or even C1.
An honest self-assessment saves money: if you already understand some Czech thanks to another Slavic language, it may be worth starting not from scratch but from A2. Many schools and tutors offer a free level-placement test — make use of it.
What level you need for permanent residency and other statuses
For most foreigners from non-EU countries, the key benchmark is A2 level for permanent residency (trvalý pobyt). This is the level you must confirm with the state exam when applying for permanent residency. The requirement for citizenship is higher — typically B1. Requirements are revised from time to time, so always check the level that applies to your status on the official website of the Ministry of the Interior and at cestina-pro-cizince.cz.
The practical takeaway: if your goal is permanent residency, build your study plan so you can confidently reach A2 with a safety margin. The exam tests reading, listening, writing and speaking, so “I understand but I’m too shy to speak” won’t cut it.
Free state and non-profit courses
The most underrated resource is free Czech courses at integration centres. They are funded from the Czech state budget and EU funds, and are open to foreigners regardless of status. In Prague, courses (often around 100 hours across different levels) are run by Integrační centrum Praha (ICP); in Brno and the South Moravian Region, by Centrum pro cizince JMK; other organisations, such as CICOPS, Poradna pro integraci and various NGOs, also offer them. Levels usually range from A1 to B1.
The downside of free courses is limited places and groups that fill up fast, so it’s worth signing up well in advance. Current schedules and enrolment points are easiest to find via the official portal cizinci.cz and the websites of regional centres. For many people, this is the most cost-effective way to reach A2.
The mandatory adaptation-integration course: don’t confuse it with language classes
Worth noting separately is the “Vítejte v ČR” adaptation-integration course. This isn’t a language class but a mandatory four-hour course covering rights, obligations, values and everyday life in Czechia. Most foreigners from non-EU countries who have held long-term or permanent residence status since 2021 must complete it within a year of receiving that status.
The course is paid — roughly 1,500 CZK if you pay for it yourself (less if your employer covers it) — and is held in various languages with an interpreter. Failing to complete it can result in a fine. You can register and check the details on the official portal kurzy.frs.gov.cz. Keep in mind: this course does not replace learning the language and does not confer an A2 level.
Language schools and in-person courses
If you want structure, discipline and live interaction, private language schools are a good fit. Prague and other major cities have dozens of schools offering group and individual courses, intensives and preparation for the A2 exam. The state exams for permanent residency are also administered by accredited institutions, including university language centres (Charles University, CTU, Masaryk University and others).
A group course offers regularity and the motivation of learning alongside others at a moderate price; individual lessons cost more but adapt to your pace. When choosing, check for accreditation, whether the school specifically prepares students for the permanent-residency exam, and whether it focuses on conversational practice rather than grammar alone.
Online tutors: flexibility and your own pace
For those who value a flexible schedule and lessons from home, online tutors are the best option. The two biggest international platforms for finding Czech teachers are Preply and italki. There you can choose a tutor by price, reviews, specialisation (conversation, exam preparation, business Czech) and time zone, and a trial lesson helps you gauge whether their teaching style suits you.
Prices vary widely depending on the tutor’s experience, so treat any figure as a rough range and try a few tutors before committing to one. The online format pairs especially well with free group courses: the courses give you the foundation, while a tutor helps you build conversational practice and work through tricky topics like noun cases.
Apps for independent practice
Apps won’t replace a real teacher, but they’re great for building a daily habit and vocabulary. For Czech, you can use Duolingo (a free, gamified basic course) and Mondly (dialogues and topic-based vocabulary). Their strength is consistency: 10–15 minutes a day builds a lasting habit and reinforces new words.
Their weakness is limited grammar coverage and almost no real spoken practice, which matters a lot for Czech because of its cases and pronunciation. So treat them as a supplement to courses and tutors rather than your main tool. It helps to add flashcards (Anki, for example), Czech radio, podcasts and TV shows with subtitles.
The A2 exam for permanent residency: format and cost
The final step on the road to permanent residency is the state Czech-language exam at A2 level. An updated format has been in effect since 11 April 2026: the tasks in the written and oral sections have changed to focus more on practical language use, though the required level remains A2. The exam consists of a written part (reading, listening, writing) and an oral part.
Cost and conditions change periodically, and historically one qualifying attempt for permanent-residency applicants has been covered by the state — always check current prices, resit rules and registration on the official website cestina-pro-cizince.cz. Prepare using the official sample tests published by the NPI — they accurately reflect the structure of the tasks.
A practical study plan
Let’s put it all together into a clear route. Step 1 — define your goal and take a level test. Step 2 — sign up for a free course at an integration centre (ICP, regional centres) as your foundation. Step 3 — add 2–3 lessons a week with a tutor on Preply or italki for conversational practice. Step 4 — spend 15 minutes a day on Duolingo or Mondly and review flashcards. Step 5 — 1–2 months before the exam, take targeted A2 exam prep using the official sample tests. Step 6 — register for the exam early, as spots fill up fast.
Don’t neglect “natural” practice: speak Czech in shops and with neighbours, switch your phone’s language to Czech, and read signs and notices. It’s daily immersion, more than anything else, that separates people who actually start speaking from those who spend years “learning from a textbook”.
Bottom line
Learning Czech is achievable even from scratch if you combine the right tools: free courses at integration centres as your foundation, online tutors on Preply or italki for conversational practice, the Duolingo and Mondly apps for a daily habit — and focused preparation for the A2 exam if permanent residency is your goal. Start small, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to speak with mistakes.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Language-level requirements, fees and exam and course rules change regularly — before submitting any application, check the official sources: the Czech Ministry of the Interior, the cizinci.cz portal and cestina-pro-cizince.cz.
Comments (0)
Please be polite. Spam and insults will be removed.