DELE A2 for Spanish nationality
DELE A2 is the Spanish test the Ministry of Justice requires for nationality by residence, with exemptions. Here is what it looks like, who needs it and how to practise with instant feedback.
8 minutes · no sign-up · instant result
What it is and who needs it
To apply for Spanish nationality by residence you must pass DELE A2 (or a higher level) and the CCSE, under article 6 of Real Decreto 1004/2015. You are exempt from the DELE if you already hold a DELE of level A2 or higher, or if you are a national of one of 20 Spanish-speaking countries (Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and others); they sit only the CCSE.
Brazil, Portugal and the Philippines are not on that list: Brazilians do need DELE A2. SIELE is not accepted.
How you pass
There are four papers worth 25 points each, in two groups: reading + writing, and listening + speaking. You need 30 of 50 points in each group.
The four DELE A2 papers
| 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 |
DELE at the Instituto Cervantes · BOE: Real Decreto 1004/2015
Practise with DeleCCSE
Reading and listening with original questions; writing with sentence-by-sentence AI correction; speaking with an AI examiner. All scores are estimates, never official. Before paying anything you can try the writing correction and a spoken answer from each paper's page.
Frequently asked questions
Which DELE do I need for Spanish nationality?
DELE A2 or higher, unless you are exempt. Official certificates from the Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas are also accepted, according to the Ministry of Justice.
How many points do I need to pass DELE A2?
At least 30 out of 50 in each of the two groups of papers.
How long do results take and how long is the certificate valid?
About three months according to the Instituto Cervantes, and the DELE certificate never expires.
How much does DELE A2 cost?
The price depends on the centre and the year; we do not publish it because the official table could not be verified. Check the Instituto Cervantes website.
Is SIELE accepted for nationality?
No. The Ministry of Justice does not list it among the accepted qualifications.
Is the AI correction official?
No. It is an estimate to guide your study and does not guarantee the result of the official exam.