DELE A2 for nationality: practise all 4 papers
DELE A2 has four papers in two groups. To pass you need at least 30 of 50 points in each group.
Reading comprehension
Everyday texts with instant marking.
DELE A2Listening comprehension
Recordings played the official number of times, transcript at the end.
DELE A2Written expression and interaction
Two tasks with correction by criteria and sentence by sentence.
DELE A2Oral expression and interaction
Three tasks with an AI examiner who listens and asks.
How you pass
Group 1: reading comprehension + written expression and interaction
Group 2: listening comprehension + oral expression and interaction
Each group is worth 50 points and you need at least 30 in each. Failing one group fails the exam.
| Paper | Tasks | Questions | Time | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 4 | 25 | 60 min | 1 |
| Listening comprehension | 4 | 25 | 40 min | 2 |
| Written expression and interaction | 2 | — | 45 min | 1 |
| Oral expression and interaction | 3 | — | 12 min | 2 |
What about SIELE?
SIELE is not accepted for Spanish nationality: the Ministry of Justice accepts DELE A2 or higher and the official certificates of the Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas. Ministry of Justice FAQ.
Which exam do you need?
Spanish nationality by residence asks for two tests of the Instituto Cervantes. These are the general rules; the Ministry of Justice decides each case.
| Almost every applicant | CCSE + DELE A2 (or higher). |
|---|---|
| Nationals of the 20 countries listed in Royal Decree 1004/2015 (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Equatorial Guinea, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela) | CCSE only: no DELE. Brazil and Portugal are not on the list. |
| You already hold DELE A2 or higher | No new DELE: only the CCSE. |
| Schooled in Spain, passed ESO | You can ask to be exempted from both tests. |
| Bachillerato, vocational training (FP) or a degree in Spain | No DELE; you still take the CCSE. |
| A2, B1 or B2 certificate from an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas | Accepted instead of the DELE. |
| SIELE | Not accepted for nationality: it is not on the Ministry's list. |
| You cannot read or write, or have learning difficulties | You can ask the Ministry for an exemption or adapted tests before you apply. |
Ministry of Justice nationality FAQ · Royal Decree 1004/2015, art. 6 (BOE) · Nationality by residence (Ministry of Justice)