Integration and the DELE and CCSE exams in Spain

DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) are official certificates granted by the Spanish Ministry of Education through the Instituto Cervantes, and recognised worldwide.

• For nationality level A2 is enough (or A2 for adults), and the exam includes four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• It is held in accredited Instituto Cervantes centres in Spain and around the world on set dates (periods in the year), and fees range around one hundred and thirty euros depending on level and centre.
• You need your passport and prior registration via the website.
• The certificate does not expire.
• And for the higher levels B1, B2, C1 and C2 there are similar certificates useful for work and study.
• And the SIELE exam is an alternative for some purposes.

The CCSE test measures your knowledge of the constitution, the political and administrative system, the rights and duties of citizens, and of geography, history, culture, society and values.

• It consists of 25 multiple-choice questions and you must answer at least 15 correctly (60 per cent) to pass, lasts 45 minutes, and is held in Spanish on the computer in accredited Instituto Cervantes centres.
• Its fee is about eighty euros.
• The official site provides a guide, test samples and free practice questions in several languages.
• Prepare by reading the guide and practising the questions.
• And the test may be retaken on failure by paying a new fee.
• A passed result remains valid for nationality purposes for a set period under regulations, so check.

Town halls, regions and civil society organisations provide free or low-cost courses for learning Spanish for migrants (cursos de español para inmigrantes), as do adult education centres (CEPA) and official language schools (Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas).

• And in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia and Valencia courses are available in the co-official languages (Catalan, Basque, Galician and Valencian).
• Some regions offer cursos de acogida, that is welcome courses about society and the labour market.
• Cruz Roja, Cáritas, ACCEM, mosques and libraries offer classes and conversation groups.
• Choose according to your level and time, and do not pay high fees without looking for free options first.
• And check that the course gives a recognised certificate.

In some routes of residence by social or family roots an informe de integración social is requested, that is a report issued by the town hall or region after assessing your integration: your knowledge of the language, housing, participation in society and sources of livelihood.

• To request it go to social services in your town hall by appointment, and bring the registration certificate and documents that prove your integration (courses, contracts and letters from associations).
• Requirements differ by region, so ask early.
• And take part in community activities and volunteering to strengthen your file.
• And do not rely on intermediaries who promise a report for money, since it is free or low fee.
• For more consult migrant and legal organisations.

After passing DELE and CCSE you submit the nationality application via the Civil Registry electronically by appointment, with documents: pass certificates, birth certificate, criminal record and previous residence certificate, and await a decision that may take more than a year.

• On approval you take the oath of loyalty to the king and the constitution at the Civil Registry and register, and usually renounce the previous nationality except for citizens of some Latin American countries, the Philippines and others under dual-nationality agreements.
• Common mistakes include delaying the tests until residence time runs out, relying on unofficial sources of information, not registering early so that seats fill, practising old questions, and neglecting to read the official guide.
• And build a study routine and take a test simulation.

How many questions are in the CCSE?