DELE examination centre SIELE examination centre CCSE examination centre Official preparation Instituto Cervantes accredited In-house examiners Barcelona DELE examination centre SIELE examination centre CCSE examination centre Official preparation Instituto Cervantes accredited In-house examiners Barcelona
The three official certifications

Which exam do you need?

There are three official Spanish certifications. They share some features, but each one has a different profile and purpose.

DELE

Official diploma · Instituto Cervantes. The most internationally recognised diploma. Lifetime validity.

  • Access to Spanish and Latin American universities
  • Work in contexts that require certified language proficiency
  • Apply for Spanish nationality — DELE A2 minimum
  • Credential recognition and degree validation — B2 or C1
  • Obtain Arraigo (social or labour residency) in Spain
  • MIR, FIR and other competitive examinations
Lifetime validity · A1–C2

SIELE

IC · UNAM · U. Salamanca · UBA. Flexible, digital and with fast results. Score 0–1000 with CEFR equivalence. Valid for 5 years.

  • University access, especially in Latin America
  • Access to studies in Spain — many universities accept SIELE B2
  • Professional and business environments
  • Those who need fast results — max. 3 weeks
  • Those who want to choose only the skills to certify
Valid for 5 years · A1–C1

CCSE

Required for nationality. Tests knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and society. Does not test language proficiency. Required along with the DELE A2 to apply for nationality by residence.

  • Required for Spanish nationality by residence
  • Taken together with the DELE A2 — you can prepare for both here
Lifetime validity · Constitution and society

Comparison

All three at a glance

  DELE SIELE CCSE
What does it certify?Spanish level (A1–C2)Spanish level (A1–C1)Knowledge of Spain
ValidityLifetime5 yearsLifetime
FormatPaper-based · fixed exam datesComputer-based · book anytimeComputer-based · fixed exam dates
ResultPass / FailScore 0–1000Pass / Fail
Results inMax. 2 monthsMax. 3 weeksApprox. 3 weeks
Spanish nationality✓ DELE A2 required✗ Not valid✓ Required
Credential recognition✓ B2/C1 highly requested✓ Accepted in many cases—
BCNLIP examination centre✓ Yes✓ Yes✓ Yes
Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language

DELE

The DELE is structured in six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. It assesses reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and oral expression. To pass, you must complete all tests at the chosen level. The diploma does not expire.

13 Feb · Deadline 7 Jan Levels: A2
17 Apr · Deadline 25 Feb Levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1
22–23 May · Deadline 8 Apr Levels: All + school students
July (to be confirmed) Levels: A2, B1, B2, C1
16–17 Oct · Deadline 2 Sep Levels: A2, B1, B2, C1
13–14 Nov · Deadline 30 Sep Levels: All + school students
Note on the calendar
Written exam
The written exam date cannot be changed.
Oral test
May be held on preceding or following days.
Descarga: See official DELE 2026 fee schedule
DELE preparation at BCNLIP

If you want to sit the DELE with the highest level of confidence, we offer level-specific preparation courses — with examiners from our own centre. In-person DELE preparation from 120 €. Online DELE preparation from 70 €.

DELE Coordination: Elisenda Torrell · ele@bcnlip.com
SIELE · CCSE

Digital exams by appointment

International Spanish Certification System

SIELE

Computer-based exam by appointment at BCNLIP — no fixed dates. Complete or by individual skills. Score 0–1000 (CEFR A1–C1). Results in max. 3 weeks. Valid for 5 years.

200 € full exam · individual skills available
Coordination: Nenad Paunović · siele@bcnlip.com
Spanish nationality

CCSE

Required for nationality by residence. Tests knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and society. Computer-based. If you also need the DELE A2, you can prepare for and take both exams here.

Required for nationality
DELE A2 or higher — lifetime validity CCSE passed — valid at the time of application
Coordination: Carlos Puga · ccse@bcnlip.com
Official examination centre ◎ DELE — Instituto Cervantes ◎ SIELE — IC · UNAM · U. Salamanca · UBA ◎ CCSE — Ministry of Justice ◎ In-house examiners ◎ Official preparation
Need guidance?
SIELE or DELE?
Write to us and we will help you decide which exam suits your goal.
Contact us →
CCSE preparation
Need to prepare?
We can inform you about preparation resources and upcoming exam dates.
ccse@bcnlip.com →
Not sure which exam you need?

Write to us,
we’ll guide you

If you are not sure which certification is required or which level you should register for, write to us. We will advise you with no obligation — within 24 hours.

Tell us what you need it for: nationality, university, work, credential recognition… and we will tell you exactly which exam to take and how to prepare.

Office hours

Monday to Friday · 9:30 – 21:00
+34 933 18 65 91 · Barcelona

BCNLIP · Examination centre

Preparation and exam, same place

DELE · SIELE · CCSE. Official centre accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.

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