LingoflyThe language for citizenship of Spain: the requirements and how long to learn
Spanish citizenship by residence requires two Cervantes Institute exams: the DELE in Spanish at A2 or higher and the CCSE on the Constitution and life of Spain. This is set out in Law 19/2015. Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language are exempt from the DELE; minors and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court are exempt from both. Checked against the text of the law in Spain's Official State Gazette.
What is required
| Which language | Spanish |
| Level | A2 on the Common European Scale |
| Residence term | residence terms depend on the grounds and are set by civil legislation |
| How it is checked | two exams designed and administered by the Cervantes Institute: the DELE — the diploma of Spanish as a foreign language at A2 or higher on the Common European Scale, and the CCSE — on the Constitution and the socio-cultural life of Spain. |
| Who is exempt | Nationals of countries and territories where Spanish is the official language are exempt from the DELE. People under eighteen and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court are exempt from both exams. |
| Is a language required for the residence permit | There is no language exam for the residence permit. |
“La primera prueba acreditará un conocimiento básico de la lengua española, nivel A2 o superior, del Marco Común Europeo de Referencia para las lenguas” — the first exam certifies a basic knowledge of Spanish at A2 or higher on the Common European Scale.
Law 19/2015, seventh final provision (BOE-A-2015-7851)
- Spanish for citizenship of Spain: level A2. Two exams designed and administered by the Cervantes Institute: the DELE — the diploma of Spanish as a foreign language at A2 or higher on the Common European Scale, and the CCSE — on the Constitution and the socio-cultural life of Spain.checked against the primary source
- Vocabulary size by level: A1 — about 650 words, A2 — about 1300 words, B1 — about 2400 words. These are lists for German exams; for another language they transfer as an order of magnitude.checked against the primary source
How long it takes to learn
| Daily dose | Hours to A2 | What that means in calendar time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes a day | 180–200 h | about 18 months — about 20 months |
| 45 minutes a day | 180–200 h | about 8 months — about 9 months |
| 1.5 hours a day | 180–200 h | about 4 months |
How we help, and what we do not cover
Spanish we do have: 4061 words (in size, a vocabulary at the B1 level), audio for every word, a phrasebook by situation and grammar in plain words.
The level in brackets is about vocabulary size and nothing else. The thresholds come from the word lists the Goethe-Institut publishes for its exams: at A1 — about 650, at A2 — about 1300, at B1 — about 2400 ([the B1 list](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Goethe-Zertifikat_B1_Wortliste.pdf), checked September 7, 2026). The lists are German; for another language they transfer as an order of magnitude. And the main thing: the level is set by skills, and the list is derived from the level — not the other way around — so a dictionary of the right size is still not a passed exam.
What no app alone covers: the level A2 exam has writing and a conversation with a person whose questions do not follow a script. We get you to listening comprehension, reading and a stock of words; for the rest — to a teacher, a prep course or a conversation club. An app that promises to carry you to the exam alone is lying to you.
What to do, step by step
- Open the primary source and check the requirement as of today — it may have changed after our check.
- Find out whether you fall under the exemptions: a degree in the right language or a school certificate often removes the exam entirely.
- Count your own term: 180–200 hours to A2 is not “someday” but a concrete number of sessions a week until your filing date.
- Start with everyday language and listening: in any format, understanding other people's speech gives out first, not your stock of words.
- Three or four months before the exam, add sessions with a teacher — writing and the spoken part cannot be set up without a person.
Frequently asked
Which language is required for citizenship of Spain?
Spanish at level A2 of the Common European Scale. Two exams designed and administered by the Cervantes Institute: the DELE — the diploma of Spanish as a foreign language at A2 or higher on the Common European Scale, and the CCSE — on the Constitution and the socio-cultural life of Spain.
Is a language required for a residence permit in Spain?
There is no language exam for the residence permit.
How long will preparation take?
Cambridge puts the road to A2 at 180–200 study hours. At 45 minutes a day that is about 8 months — about 9 months; at twenty minutes, twice as long. It is the board's benchmark, not a promise: the spread between people is wide.
Can it be done without the exam?
Nationals of countries and territories where Spanish is the official language are exempt from the DELE. People under eighteen and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court are exempt from both exams.
How far can this data be trusted?
The requirement was read on the website of the authority that imposes it: Law 19/2015 of 13 July, seventh final provision, in Spain's Official State Gazette (BOE). The check date is September 25, 2026, the link is on the page. We do not process paperwork and charge nothing for it, so we have no interest in rounding terms in a pleasant direction.