In a significant policy shift set to take effect next year, foreign doctors, dentists, and pharmacists applying for permanent residency in the Czech Republic will no longer be obligated to undergo a Czech language examination. The proposed amendment stipulates that the existing approbation exam, a prerequisite for practicing these medical professions, will suffice to showcase language proficiency. The Czech government is poised to deliberate on this regulatory change in the coming months, aiming to simplify procedures and provide greater convenience for foreign medical practitioners and their families, while concurrently streamlining administrative processes.

The proposed amendment also outlines a discontinuation of reimbursement by the Interior Ministry for the Czech language examination, which currently aids applicants in covering the CZK 2,500 fee. This fee is scheduled to increase to CZK 3,200 from January, making applicants responsible for this expense.

Eligibility for permanent residency permits in the Czech Republic typically requires five years of residence or possession of a blue card. Foreigners seeking permanent residency are currently mandated to undergo a Czech language examination to demonstrate A2 level proficiency. However, certain groups, including minors under 15, individuals over 60, people with disabilities, and those with a minimum one-year attendance at Czech schools or possessing a high school diploma or state exam in Czech, are exempt from this examination.

The proposed amendment particularly benefits medical professionals, including doctors, dentists, and pharmacists, allowing them to qualify for permanent residency through a specialized aptitude test tailored to their respective fields. Initiated by the Education Ministry, this approach seeks to facilitate the integration of foreign medical practitioners into the Czech healthcare system.

The aptitude test evaluates candidates on their understanding of the Czech healthcare system, legal framework, and professional proficiency in Czech. It involves written, practical, and oral components, including responding to 200 questions in a two-hour written test. Dentists and pharmacists further undergo an oral examination within a day, while doctors’ oral exams extend to two days.

The proposal has garnered support, highlighting the fluency and clarity exhibited by medical professionals in their field-specific communications, which often exceed the language proficiency standards established by the current general language examination.

Nonetheless, concerns have been raised by the Czech Rectors’ Conference (CRC), which contends that the approbation exam primarily signifies relevant education rather than linguistic competency. The CRC asserts that the specialized nature of the approbation exam should not be equated with a broader Czech language examination, sparking discussions about the balance between professional competence and linguistic abilities in the context of permanent residency for foreign medical practitioners.

Article by Prague Forum