Czech Interior Ministry wants compulsory integration courses for foreign nationals

The Czech Interior Ministry is preparing an amendment to the foreigners’ law according to which foreign residents in the Czech Republic would have to undergo a four-hour integration course on the country’s laws, traditions and culture.

The course should provide basic information about the country’s legal and social order and inform foreigners about their rights and duties. It should serve to combat social isolation, radicalism, terrorism and social problems, such as domestic violence.

The course will be available in 9 languages and foreign nationals will be charged a certain fee to help cover the cost of lecturers. The proposed amendment, which should go into force next year, still has to be approved by the government and Parliament.