Celebrate Our 15th Anniversary: Special Offers on Long-Term Intensive Courses

Official Spanish Exams: CCSE & DELE

Take Your Official CCSE & DELE Exams in Madrid

At Cronopios Idiomas, we are an accredited exam center where you can take and prepare the official CCSE and DELE exams, required for Spanish nationality, university access, and official certification of your Spanish level.

Logo Instituto Cervantes Centro Acreditado
Accredited by the Instituto Cervantes since 2014

All You Need to Know About the CCSE & DELE Exams

On this page, you’ll find clear and up-to-date information about the official CCSE and DELE exams, including requirements, levels, exam dates, preparation options, and how the process works. If you have any questions or need personal guidance, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team will be happy to help you with:

Explore the exam information below or contact us. We’ll be happy to help you.

DELE

At Cronopios Idiomas, as an accredited center of the Instituto Cervantes, you can take the official DELE exams and prepare for them with specific courses. We work with all levels and support you throughout the entire process.

What is the DELE?

The Diploma Oficial de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) is an internationally recognized certification of proficiency in the Spanish language, awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport. The DELE is one of the most prestigious and widely accepted qualifications for non-native Spanish speakers, providing evidence of a student’s linguistic skills in the language.

What is the DELE for?

The DELE diploma may be required or useful to:

  • Access university studies in Spain
  • Validate foreign academic qualifications
  • Apply for Spanish nationality
  • Officially certify your level of Spanish
  • Set a clear goal and make progress in your learning

DELE Levels

The six official levels are:

  • A1 – A2: Basic user
  • B1 – B2: Independent user
  • C1 – C2: Proficient user

2026 Calendar

13/02/26

Level: A2
Enrollment open until:
January 7

17/04/26

Level: A2
Enrollment open until:
February 25

23/05/26

Level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
Enrollment open until:
April 8

16/10/26

Level: B1, B2, C1
Enrollment open until:
September 2

17/10/26

Level: A2
Enrollment open until:
September 2

13/11/26

Level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1
Enrollment open until:
September 30

14/11/26

Level: A1, B1, B2, C1, C2
Enrollment open until:
September 30

DELE FAQs

The DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) is an official qualification that certifies the Spanish language proficiency of non-native speakers.

The DELE diploma is awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain’s Ministry of Education.

For most nationality applications, a DELE A2 or higher is required, unless the applicant comes from a Spanish-speaking country or qualifies for an exemption.

Yes. The DELE diploma is internationally recognized by universities, companies, and public institutions around the world.

Cronopios Idiomas welcomes students from a wide variety of nationalities across five continents, contributing to a multicultural and inclusive atmosphere.

The official DELE levels are:

  • A1 – A2: Basic user
  • B1 – B2: Independent user
  • C1 – C2: Proficient user.
  • There are also DELE exams adapted for school-age candidates.

Depending on the level, the exam assesses:

  • Reading comprehension
  • Listening comprehension
  • Written expression and interaction
  • Oral expression and interaction

The DELE diploma has lifetime validity. Once you pass, it never expires.

DELE exams are offered several times a year, with different dates depending on the level. Registration deadlines apply for each session.

Yes. We offer specific DELE preparation courses for all levels, as well as private lessons focused on exam strategies and skill development.

CCSE

What is the CCSE?

The CCSE is a standardized exam designed and administered by the Instituto Cervantes. It assesses a candidate’s knowledge of the Spanish Constitution, as well as the country's cultural, historical, and social realities. Successfully passing the CCSE is one of the legal requirements for obtaining Spanish nationality through residency.

Structure of the Test:

The exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions, divided into two main sections:

  • Government, Law, and Citizen Participation (60%) Includes topics related to the Spanish Constitution, fundamental rights and duties, national institutions, and the structure of the Spanish government.
  • Culture, History, and Society (40%) Covers daily life in Spain, cultural traditions, geography, historical events, and relevant social customs.

Registration for the CCSE exams

The price for the exam registration is €85, and is paid directly to Instituto Cervantes through its website. Enrollment in the CCSE test gives the right to take the exam up to a maximum of two times, only in case that a candidate does not pass the test on the first attempt, or has not been present at the first round. Price includes preparation materials and a certificate with your qualification.

2026 Calendar

29/01/26

Enrollment open until:
January 8

26/02/26

Enrollment open until: February 5

26/03/26

Enrollment open until:
March 5

30/04/26

Enrollment open until:
April 9

28/05/26

Enrollment open until:
May 7

25/06/26

Enrollment open until:
June 4

30/07/26

Enrollment open until:
July 7

24/09/26

Enrollment open until: September 3

29/10/26

Enrollment open until:
October 8

26/11/26

Enrollment open until: November 5

CCSE FAQs

The CCSE exam (Constitutional and Sociocultural Knowledge of Spain) is an official test that evaluates your knowledge of Spanish laws, government, culture, and society. It is a requirement for most applicants for Spanish nationality.

The CCSE exam is administered by the Instituto Cervantes, an official institution of the Spanish government.

The exam is mandatory for adults applying for Spanish nationality by residence, unless they qualify for an official exemption.

Applicants may be exempt if they are under 18, have a legally recognized disability, or meet other specific conditions established by Spanish law.

The exam covers:

  • The Spanish Constitution and government
  • Rights and duties of citizens
  • Spanish culture, history, and geography
  • Social customs and daily life in Spain

The CCSE consists of:

  • 25 multiple-choice questions
  • 3 possible answers per question
  • Only one correct answer
The total duration of the exam is 45 minutes.
You must answer at least 15 out of 25 questions correctly to pass.
The CCSE exam is taken in Spanish, although approved adaptations are available for candidates with special needs.
The exam is offered monthly, except in August and December.
Each registration includes two attempts within the same year if the first attempt is not successful.
The exam can be taken at authorized exam centers in Spain and abroad, including accredited language schools.
Registration is done online through the Instituto Cervantes platform. You must choose your exam center, date, and complete the payment during registration.

Candidates must enter the examination room with:

• Proof of registration
• Original passport and TIE (expired or not)

In the case of citizens of the European Union, they must present two of the following original documents, expired or not:

• Passport
• National identity document from the country of origin
• EU citizen registration certificate showing the NIE (without photograph)

The official exam fee is 85€ set by the Instituto Cervantes and includes two exam opportunities if needed.
The CCSE certificate is valid for 4 years from the date of issue.
Results are usually available around 20 days after the exam date.
Yes. Passing the CCSE exam is a required step in the Spanish nationality application process for most candidates.
Yes. Preparation is highly recommended to become familiar with the content, format, and type of questions.

Up to 40 free spanish lessons

Learn Spanish in Madrid this Winter.

Best Price Guaranteed!

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.