In short: for nationality by residence you must pass two Instituto Cervantes tests, which many people search for as the CCSE exam or the Spanish citizenship exam: the CCSE (constitutional and sociocultural knowledge) and the DELE A2 (language). Depending on your nationality, your age or your studies in Spain, you may be exempt from one or both. The years of residence and the other requirements are in nationality by residence. Here you get what the tests are, who takes them and who is exempt. To register, follow the official Instituto Cervantes portal; if you have a specific question about your case, write to @spain_asesor.
In person or by representative? The tests are taken in person; the Instituto Cervantes may administer them remotely only in the cases and under the conditions it sets (art. 6.2 of RD 1004/2015). Nobody can sit them for you. The exemption request for people who cannot read or write is filed at the Ministry of Justice's electronic office.
Requirements
- General rule: you must pass the DELE at level A2 at least and the CCSE. Both tests are designed and run by the Instituto Cervantes (art. 6.1 and 6.2 of RD 1004/2015).
- CCSE: closed-answer questions, all worth the same; 60% cover the Constitution and Spain's administrative and territorial organisation, and 40% culture, history and society (art. 6.3). According to the Instituto Cervantes portal (check of 9 October 2026), there are 25 questions and you pass with 15 correct answers. To practise, use the free CCSE test.
- DELE A2: level A2 or higher. If you already hold a DELE A2 or above, you do not repeat it. An official A2, B1 or B2 Spanish certificate from an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas also counts instead of the DELE (art. 10.3 of Orden JUS/1625/2016).
Exemptions
- DELE, by nationality. Nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela are exempt (art. 6.5 of RD 1004/2015). You still sit the CCSE. If that nationality is not your main one on record with the Ministry of the Interior, you provide a valid passport or consular certificate, and it counts for the DELE only (art. 10.2 of the Orden).
- If your nationality is not on the list (for example Ukraine, Morocco, Brazil or Portugal), you take both. The shorter 2-year residence period does not exempt you from the DELE.
- Under-18s and people with legally modified capacity take neither the CCSE nor the DELE (art. 10.6 of the Orden). Minors of school age provide a certificate from their school or centre instead (art. 5.2 and 6.6 of the RD).
- Disability: it does not exempt you, but the Instituto Cervantes offers support and reasonable adjustments in the tests (art. 6.7 of the RD).
- ESO completed in Spain after schooling here: you do not need to request the exemption beforehand; just attach the certificate to the application (Ministry of Justice).
- Bachillerato, intermediate or higher vocational training (FP de grado medio o superior) or a university degree obtained in Spain: according to the Ministry of Justice FAQ (no. 14, checked on 9 October 2026), exemption from the DELE only; you still pass the CCSE. Studies done outside Spain do not count, nor do those at schools in Spain with a foreign curriculum, even if homologated.
- Cannot read or write, or learning difficulties: an exemption you request from the Ministry of Justice before the nationality application; if you file both together, the nationality application is archived (art. 10.5 of the Orden; Ministry notice). It is handled at the electronic office.
Where Official information, the calendar and registration are on the exams portal of the Instituto Cervantes; the DELE has its own section (DELE on the portal). The results are issued by the Instituto Cervantes, and in the nationality application you can authorise the Ministry of Justice to check them instead of attaching the certificates (art. 5.1.d, 6.4 and 8.3 of the RD). To register, follow the official Instituto Cervantes portal; if you have a specific question about your case, write to @spain_asesor.
Deadlines
- Sessions: the Instituto Cervantes publishes the calendar. At the last check (9 October 2026), CCSE sessions fell on the last Thursday of each month, except August and December. Check the current dates on the portal.
- Result: at the 9 October 2026 check the portal indicated about 20 days until the CCSE grade; confirm it for your session.
- Validity: the CCSE certification is valid for 4 years from the date of the certificate (art. 10.4 of Orden JUS/1625/2016). The DELE diploma does not expire, according to the Instituto Cervantes (check of 9 October 2026).
Cost The fee for each test is set by the Instituto Cervantes and shown on its portal; we do not list it here because it changes and we could not confirm it in this review. It is a separate payment from the 790-026 fee of the nationality application (see nationality by residence). To follow your file afterwards, see how to check your nationality case status.
Preparing for DELE A2 / CCSE: one option is italki, an online language platform with private Spanish tutors (1-to-1 lessons, flexible schedules and prices). 🤝 Our partner.
Official sources: RD 1004/2015, art. 6 (BOE) · Orden JUS/1625/2016, art. 10 (BOE) · Instituto Cervantes, exams.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.