School and kindergarten for foreign children in Czechia: new enrolment dates, compulsory schooling and Czech language support
Updated: 13 November 2026
From 2026, enrolment dates for Czech schools and kindergartens have changed and deferrals have become stricter. Foreign parents should not miss these dates and should know their rights — a child cannot be refused just because they do not speak Czech.
- School is compulsory for foreign children staying in Czechia more than 90 days (and for temporary protection holders).
- Enrolment for Year 1: 15 January – 15 February; for kindergarten: 15 March – 15 April.
- The last kindergarten year before school is compulsory — and free in public kindergartens.
- Priority goes to the school or kindergarten for your address registered with the Ministry of the Interior.
- Not speaking Czech is no reason for refusal; the school must provide language support.
Who must attend school
Compulsory schooling lasts 9 years and applies to foreign children aged 6–15 who are authorised to stay in Czechia for more than 90 days, as well as applicants for international protection and temporary protection holders. The last year before school (children turning 5 by 31 August) is compulsory pre-school education.
School enrolment
- Dates: from 2026, 15 January – 15 February; each school publishes its exact date online.
- Catchment: the catchment school for your address must admit the child; it may refuse only for lack of capacity — the municipality must then provide a place.
- You can apply to several schools, including outside your catchment.
- Apply via data box, e-mail with a signature, by post or in person.
Kindergarten enrolment
- Dates: from 2026, 15 March – 15 April.
- Foreign children staying more than 90 days have the same right to kindergarten as Czech children.
- Proof of vaccination is required (except for children in the compulsory pre-school year).
- The right of residence must be proved by the start of attendance at the latest.
Stricter deferrals
A deferral request must now be filed during the enrolment period — by 15 February — with two recommendations: from an educational-psychological counselling centre and from a doctor or clinical psychologist. For children born between September and March, a deferral is granted only for serious health reasons.
Czech language and adaptation
- A child cannot be refused for not speaking Czech.
- The school provides language support — a course or Czech as a second language lessons, and an individual plan where needed.
- Translate documents on previous schooling abroad into Czech in advance.
Common mistakes
- Missing the new January–February school enrolment while waiting for April out of habit.
- Your address at the Ministry differs from where you live — the child does not get into “your” school.
- No vaccination certificate for kindergarten.
- A late deferral request — after 15 February it can no longer be filed.
Need school documents translated?
We translate school reports, certificates and medical records into Czech and help with nostrification for older children.
Sources
- MŠMT — informace k zápisu do 1. ročníku 2026
- MŠMT — metodika přijímání do mateřských škol (cizinci)
- NPI ČR — vzdělávání dětí cizinců
- CNN Prima News — změny u zápisu do škol a školek 2026
This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.