Language exams for citizenship: which certificates are used
Many countries ask for proof of the national language before granting citizenship. The law decides which certificates count, and it can change. This guide lists the exams most often used and links to our detailed guides by country.
Updated · 4 min read
The law of each country decides. This guide is a starting point, so always confirm the current requirement on the official page of the authority handling your application.
Exams that list citizenship among their uses
| Language | Exam | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| French | DELF | Guide |
| French | TCF | Guide |
| French | TEF | Guide |
| German | Goethe-Zertifikat | Guide |
| Spanish | DELE | Guide |
| Italian | CILS | Guide |
| Portuguese | CAPLE | Guide |
| Finnish | YKI | Guide |
| Polish | Certyfikat polski | Guide |
The uses come from each exam's official information, for example the DELF, CILS, YKI and Polish certificate pages.
Our guides by country
- Luxembourg: the level you need and the Sproochentest
- The Netherlands: A2 and the naturalisation test
- Belgium: the A2 requirement
- Spain: the DELE A2 and CCSE
- Italy: the B1 requirement
- Portugal: A2 and the CIPLE exam
- Finland: the language requirement and YKI
- Poland: the B1 certificate
- Sweden: the language requirement and new tests
- Ukraine: the language exam
How to get ready
- Confirm which exam and level your country asks for.
- Take a free level test, for example in French, German, Spanish or Italian.
- Plan backwards from your application date.
- Learn a small set of words every day, and speak them aloud.
- Do official sample papers before you book.
Prepare for your application
Choose "nationality" as your goal, and your path sets out what to learn at your level.
Keep exploring
Every exam below has its own preparation page on 16Word.
The other language exams
- Sproochentest (Luxembourgish)
- Inburgeringsexamen (Dutch)
- Staatsexamen NT2 (Dutch)
- TOEFL iBT (English)
- IELTS (English)
- Cambridge English (English)
- PTE Academic (English)
- DELF (French)
- DALF (French)
- TCF (French)
- TEF (French)
- Goethe-Zertifikat (German)
- TestDaF (German)
- telc Deutsch (German)
- DELE (Spanish)
- CILS (Italian)
- CAPLE (Portuguese)
- HSK (Chinese)
- JLPT (Japanese)
- TOPIK (Korean)
- YKI (Finnish)
- Ellinomatheia (Greek)
- Certyfikat polski (Polish)
More guides on language exams
- IELTS explained: the 0–9 band, test options and how to prepare
- TOEFL iBT explained: the 1–6 score scale and how to prepare
- Cambridge English exams: from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency
- PTE Academic explained: the 10–90 score and how to prepare
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Cambridge: which English exam should you take?
- DELF explained: levels A1 to B2, pass mark and preparation
- DALF C1 and C2: what the advanced French diplomas require
- The TCF French test: five skills, levels and validity
- The TEF French test: the 0–699 score, uses and preparation
- DELF, TCF or TEF: which French exam do you need?
- Goethe-Zertifikat explained: levels A1 to C2 and how to prepare
- TestDaF explained: TDN 3 to 5 and studying in Germany
- telc Deutsch explained: exams, skills and how to prepare
- Goethe, TestDaF or telc: which German exam should you take?
- The DELE Spanish diplomas: levels and how to get ready
- CILS Italian certificate: levels, skills and how to pass
- CAPLE Portuguese exams: levels A1 to C2 and who needs them
- HSK explained: levels 1 to 9 and the five skills tested
- How to prepare for the JLPT: a plan from N5 to N1
- How to prepare for TOPIK: a study plan for levels 1 to 6
- The YKI Finnish test: levels 1 to 6 and how to prepare
- How to prepare for the Greek Certificate of Attainment
- How to pass the Polish language certificate exam
- Staatsexamen NT2: how scoring works and how to prepare
- Language exams for studying abroad: which certificate to take
- Language exams for work and visas: which certificate you need
- Do language certificates expire? Validity of the main exams
- Language exams you can take at home: what to check first
- Free official sample papers for 17 language exams
Related guides and free level tests
- The Dutch inburgering exam in 2026: routes, parts, fees and FAQ
- Sproochentest speaking (A2): topics, picture description and how to prepare
- Sproochentest listening (B1): the three recordings and how to practise
- A 60-day Sproochentest preparation plan, week by week
- Luxembourgish levels A1 to B2: what each CEFR level means in practice
- The inburgering reading exam (A2 and B1): format, question types and tips
- The inburgering listening exam (A2 and B1): what to expect and how to train
- The inburgering writing exam (A2 and B1): tasks, model messages and mistakes
- The inburgering speaking exam (A2 and B1): format and model answers
- The KNM exam (Knowledge of Dutch Society): format, themes and how to prepare
- Staatsexamen NT2: programme I (B1) or programme II (B2)?
- A2 or B1 Dutch: which level do you need for inburgering, nationality or study?
- Inburgering exemptions and dispensation: when you take fewer or no exams
- What inburgering costs: exam fees, free attempts and the DUO loan
- The 3-year inburgering deadline: letters, fines and extra time
- How to register for the inburgering exams and the Staatsexamen NT2
- Inburgering in Flanders: the integration pathway and A2 Dutch
Language exams for citizenship: frequently asked questions
Which level do I need for citizenship?
It depends on the country. Our country guides above explain the requirement and cite official sources.
Can I use any language certificate?
No. The law or the authority decides which certificates count.
Do citizenship language certificates expire?
It depends on the exam and on the authority. See our validity guide.
Are there exemptions?
Many countries have them, but they differ. Check the official page, or read our guide for your country.
Can a 16Word certificate be used for citizenship?
No. 16Word prepares you, but authorities accept only official exams.
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Official sources
Keep going
- /certifications/delf
- /certifications/tcf
- /certifications/tef
- Do language certificates expire? Validity of the main exams
- Language exams you can take at home: what to check first
- Free official sample papers for 17 language exams
- Language exams for studying abroad: which certificate to take
- Language exams for work and visas: which certificate you need
- TÖMER Turkish exam: levels, five parts, the 60% rule and preparation
- The Dutch inburgering exam in 2026: routes, parts, fees and FAQ
- Sproochentest speaking (A2): topics, picture description and how to prepare
- All guides