Why you need the DELE A2 for Spanish citizenship
Spanish nationality by residence carries two exam requirements, set out in Royal Decree 1004/2015: the CCSE (the constitutional and sociocultural knowledge test) and, for applicants whose native language is not Spanish, a DELE diploma at level A2 or higher issued by Instituto Cervantes. Level A2 certifies that you can handle everyday Spanish: routine conversations, short texts and simple written messages.
Two points applicants often get wrong. First, only the DELE counts for citizenship purposes: the SIELE certificate, school attendance letters and language-academy diplomas are not accepted by the Ministry of Justice. Second, the DELE A2 is required in addition to the CCSE exam, not instead of it — most applicants must pass both. If you are unsure which exams apply to your case, start with our guide CCSE or DELE A2: which one do I need? or the overview of Spanish citizenship by residence.
Exam structure: the four papers
The DELE A2 consists of four papers, grouped into two scoring blocks of 50 points each:
| Paper | Time | Tasks | Scoring group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 60 min | 4 tasks | Group 1 (50 pts) |
| Listening comprehension | 40 min | 4 tasks | Group 1 (50 pts) |
| Written expression and interaction | 45 min | 2 tasks | Group 2 (50 pts) |
| Speaking | approx. 12 min (+ 12 min preparation) | 3 tasks | Group 2 (50 pts) |
The written papers add up to roughly two and a half hours; the speaking test is usually scheduled separately, sometimes on a different day, and must be taken in person. Instituto Cervantes also schedules an adapted version, the DELE A2-NA, for candidates with little or no literacy — ask your exam centre whether it is available.
Pass mark: 60/100 — and the group rule that catches people out
You pass the DELE A2 with 60 points out of 100, but with a critical condition: you need at least 30 of the 50 points in each group. Group 1 combines reading and listening; Group 2 combines writing and speaking.
The consequence surprises many candidates: you can score 65/100 overall — 45 points in Group 1 and 20 in Group 2, for example — and still fail, because Group 2 falls below the 30-point threshold. A strong reading score cannot rescue a weak speaking performance. The final grade is simply apto (pass) or no apto (fail).
Before booking, test yourself under real conditions with our free online DELE A2 simulator.
How much does the DELE A2 cost in 2026?
The registration fee for the DELE A2 in Spain is approximately €138 (fees at centres abroad vary by country). Unlike the CCSE — whose €85 fee includes two attempts within 18 months — the DELE fee covers one sitting only: if you fail, you pay again for a new session.
When budgeting for the whole process, remember the citizenship application itself also carries the form 790-026 fee of €104.05.
DELE A2 exam dates in 2026 (verified with Instituto Cervantes)
In 2026 the A2 level is offered at five sessions. Registration for all of them opened in December 2025 and closes weeks before each exam date:
| Session | A2 exam date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Friday 13 February | 7 January 2026 (closed) |
| April 2026 | Friday 17 April (centres in Spain only) | 25 February 2026 (closed) |
| May 2026 | 22–23 May | 8 April 2026 (closed) |
| October 2026 | Saturday 17 October | 2 September 2026 |
| November 2026 | Friday 13 November | 30 September 2026 |
As of August 2026, two sessions remain open: 17 October (register by 2 September) and 13 November (register by 30 September). Popular centres fill up well before the deadline, so book as early as you can. Always confirm dates and available centres on the official Instituto Cervantes calendar before paying.
How to register, step by step
- Create an account on the Instituto Cervantes exam portal at examenes.cervantes.es.
- Select the DELE A2 (general version), then choose your exam centre and session.
- Pay the fee online and keep the confirmation.
- A few days before the exam, check your candidate area for the exact time and room of each paper, especially the speaking test.
Bring the same identity document you used to register (passport or residence card) on exam day.
How long do results take?
DELE results are published in your candidate portal approximately two to three months after the exam — considerably slower than the CCSE, whose results appear in about 20 days. Once your result shows apto, you do not need to wait for the printed diploma: the electronic certification of results is accepted for the citizenship file, and the Ministry of Justice can verify your pass directly with Instituto Cervantes. We explain the process in detail in DELE A2 results.
Because of this delay, plan backwards from your intended filing date — our citizenship timeline calculator helps you sequence exams, documents and submission.
Who is exempt from the DELE A2?
- Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language (Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and the rest of Ibero-America, among others). Many of them also qualify for the reduced two-year residence period.
- Minors under 18 and persons whose legal capacity has been judicially modified — they are exempt from both exams.
- Applicants who completed their studies in Spanish or who face age or disability barriers may request a discretionary waiver from the Ministry of Justice, which is examined case by case.
Exemptions are one of the areas where wrong assumptions cause real damage: an application filed without a required diploma will not progress. Check the full rules in who is exempt from the DELE A2 and Spanish citizenship without exams.
The legal nuance that matters: your DELE never expires — your CCSE does
The DELE diploma has no expiry date: Instituto Cervantes issues it with indefinite validity, and for the citizenship file the Ministry of Justice accepts diplomas regardless of the year they were obtained. The CCSE certificate, by contrast, is only valid for four years. The practical strategy follows directly: if you are early in your residence period, you can sit the DELE A2 now and bank it forever, but time your CCSE so it is still in force when you actually file. We analyse this in depth in does the DELE A2 expire? and how long the CCSE certificate lasts.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a B1, B2 or C1 diploma instead of the A2?
Yes. Royal Decree 1004/2015 requires level A2 or higher, so any DELE diploma from A2 up to C2 satisfies the language requirement. There is no advantage in the citizenship procedure to holding a higher level — only the extra difficulty.
Is the SIELE certificate valid for Spanish citizenship?
No. Only DELE diplomas issued by Instituto Cervantes are accepted for nationality by residence. SIELE is a useful certificate for work or study, but the Ministry of Justice will not accept it in a citizenship file.
What happens if I fail the DELE A2?
You can register for any future session, but you must pay the full fee again — there is no free resit. You also retake the entire exam, even if you only fell short in one group. Identify your weak block first and practise it with our DELE A2 simulator.
Do Latin American applicants need the DELE A2?
No. Nationals of Ibero-American countries and other states where Spanish is official are exempt from the language exam (they still need the CCSE). They can also usually apply after only two years of legal residence.
Do I need both the DELE A2 and the CCSE?
Most adult applicants whose native language is not Spanish need both: the DELE A2 proves language ability and the CCSE proves knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and society. See the two exams for Spanish citizenship for a side-by-side comparison.
Lexmovea Abogados is an independent law firm (ICAS Seville, no. 15702). We are not affiliated with, nor endorsed by, Instituto Cervantes, which is the sole body responsible for organising the DELE and CCSE exams. Exam dates, fees and conditions are set by Instituto Cervantes and should be confirmed on its official website.