Nostrification is the procedure of officially recognizing a foreign high-school transcript or diploma as equivalent to the Czech educational document. Without this recognition the candidate cannot be officially enrolled in a Czech higher education institution. The type of procedure depends on the level of education the student already has.
Nostrification of high-school transcripts and college diplomas
To enroll in a Bachelor's programme the student must have full secondary or secondary specialized education recognized. There are two ways to go through this procedure.
A. Standard nostrification (via the Magistrát)
This procedure is conducted by the education department of the regional administration (Magistrát).
How it works: officials compare the number of hours in school subjects for the last two years of study with the Czech curriculum. Due to differences in hours the student is assigned nostrification exams — usually 3–5 subjects (e.g., biology, geography, English, computer science). Exams are taken in Czech; a translator is allowed.
Required documents:
- High-school transcript (or college diploma)
- Transcript appendix with grades
- Certificate from the school with the number of hours by subject for the last 4 years
- Proof of accreditation of the educational institution
- Copy of the foreign passport
- Confirmation of residence in Czechia
- Receipt for payment of the state fee (CZK 1,000)
- Power of attorney — if the documents are submitted via a representative
Pros: a certificate without an expiration date is issued, accepted by all Czech universities.
Cost: state fee CZK 1,000. Translator services at the exam are paid for separately.
Timing: review of the application at the Magistrát takes 30–90 days, plus time for taking the exams and processing the nostrification itself.
B. Internal nostrification (via the university)
Many public universities with institutional accreditation have the right to recognize transcripts independently.
How it works: the university evaluates the document without assigning exams. Recognition is based on the documents provided as part of the admission process.
Required documents:
- High-school transcript (or college diploma)
- Transcript appendix with grades
- Completed application — as part of the "přihláška" to the university
- Receipt for payment of the university's administrative fee (CZK 800–1,000)
- Copy of the foreign passport
Nuances: such recognition is valid only within the specific university. If the applicant submits documents to 3 different universities — the procedure will have to be paid for and completed at each of them separately.
Cost: each university has its own rate, on average CZK 800–1,000.
Timing: usually faster than the standard one — in parallel with the review of the admission "přihláška".
Nostrification of a university diploma
If a person already has higher education (Bachelor, specialist, Master) and plans to apply for a Master's or doctoral programme, the procedure is simplified.
How it works: the process is conducted by a Czech public university that has a comparable specialty. No exams are assigned — the evaluation is based solely on the list of completed subjects and the number of hours.
Required documents:
- Higher education diploma
- Diploma supplement (transcript with hours and grades)
- Application addressed to the Czech public university
- Copy of the foreign passport
- Receipt for payment of the state fee (CZK 3,000)
Result: confirmation of the diploma's equivalence, valid indefinitely throughout Czechia.
Cost: a single state fee of CZK 3,000.
Timing: by law up to 60 days, but depending on the university's workload the decision may come later. If additional documents or clarifications are requested from the foreign university, the timeline may be extended.
Important note for a second degree
If you already have a university diploma (Bachelor or Master) but plan to apply in Czechia again for a Bachelor's programme — you need to nostrify the high-school transcript (or college diploma). Despite having a higher academic degree, Czech universities require confirmation of completed secondary school for admission to the first level of higher education. The procedure follows the standard path: either through exams at the Magistrát or through internal recognition at the university.
What else is important to know
Certified translation: all documents must be translated into Czech exclusively by a Czech court-certified translator. This requirement is strict — ordinary translations or translations made in your country are not accepted.
School support: as part of all Smart programmes, our specialists help collect the right document package, file the application with the Magistrát or the university, and also provide materials to prepare for the exams if they are assigned.