If you're thinking about taking the DELE, you probably want to know which level to sit, what the exam looks like, what it costs and when you can take it. Maybe you need it for Spanish nationality, a job or a university, or maybe you just want proof of the Spanish you've worked for.
Here's how the DELE works at every level, from A1 to C2, with the 2027 dates and how to prepare.
What is the DELE?
The DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) certifies your Spanish at one of the six CEFR levels. According to the Instituto Cervantes, the diplomas are official, recognised internationally and valid indefinitely, and you don't need a course or a lower-level DELE before you register. The general exams are for candidates from 16, and there are separate school versions for 11 to 17-year-olds.
The most common reason to need one is Spanish nationality by residence, which asks for at least A2. Our DELE A2 guide covers that exam task by task, and our guide to the Spanish citizenship language requirement explains who is exempt and how the DELE fits with the CCSE civics test.
The DELE at each level
From A1 to C1, the exam has four parts worth 25 points each: reading, listening, writing and speaking. The written parts happen on the same morning everywhere in the world, and the speaking test can be on the same day or close to it, depending on your exam centre. C2 has three integrated papers instead. These timings come from the Instituto Cervantes pages for A1, A2, B1 and B2 and its overview of C1 and C2, and prices from its 2026 price table:
| Level | Reading, listening, writing | Speaking | Price in Spain (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | 45, 25 and 25 minutes | 10 minutes, plus 10 to prepare | €112 |
| A2 | 60, 40 and 45 minutes | 12 minutes, plus 12 to prepare | €138 |
| B1 | 70, 40 and 60 minutes | 15 minutes, plus 15 to prepare | €173 |
| B2 | 70, 40 and 80 minutes | 20 minutes, plus 20 to prepare | €204 |
| C1 | 90, 50 and 80 minutes | 20 minutes, plus 20 to prepare | €225 |
| C2 | 105 minutes (reading and listening), then 150 minutes (writing) | 20 minutes, plus 30 to prepare | €240 |
Prices depend on the country where you register. The same table lists $128 to $210 in the United States and £130 to £245 in the United Kingdom, rising with the level.
How do you pass the DELE?
From A1 to C1, the four parts form two groups: reading with writing, and listening with speaking. You need at least 30 of the 50 points in each group, according to the Instituto Cervantes in Athens. A total of 60 isn't enough on its own, so strong reading can't make up for weak speaking. At C2, you need 20 points in each of the three papers.
The result is simply "apto" (pass) or "no apto" (fail). The Instituto Cervantes FAQ is clear about failing: there's no second chance in the same session, so you register again, pay again and retake every part, even the group you passed.
DELE dates for 2027
Registration for the 2027 sessions opens on 18 November 2026, and each session closes six to eight weeks before the written exams. Not every level runs every time. These are the general exams in the Instituto Cervantes calendar:
| Written exams | Registration closes | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 5 March | 20 January | A2 |
| Friday 2 April | 10 February | A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 |
| Saturday 22 May | 7 April | All six levels |
| Friday 9 July | 12 May | A2, B1, B2, C1 |
| Friday 10 September | 14 July | A2 |
| Friday 15 October | 1 September | A2, B1, B2 |
| Saturday 13 November | 29 September | All six levels |
Each exam centre chooses which sessions it runs, so check yours before you plan around a date. Results arrive about two months after the written exams, or about three months for the May and November sessions, according to the Instituto Cervantes. If you disagree with your grade, you have a month to ask for a review, which costs 60% of the exam price and is refunded if your result changes to a pass.
DELE or SIELE?
The Instituto Cervantes runs a second exam, the SIELE. It gives you a score on a scale instead of a pass or fail at one level, covers A1 to C1, and sends results within three weeks. But a SIELE result is valid for five years, while a DELE diploma is valid for life. If you need Spanish for nationality, check our citizenship guide before you choose, because it lists the certificates that count.
Which DELE level should you take?
Take the level you need, when you can pass it comfortably. A failed attempt means paying again and resitting every part, so a B1 you pass is worth more than a B2 you narrowly miss. If a job, a university or a residence application asks for a level, that decides it. If not, work through the official sample exam for the level you're aiming at, including the listening and speaking parts.
How to prepare for the DELE speaking and listening papers
Half your points come from understanding spoken Spanish and answering out loud. From B1 up, the speaking test asks you to give your opinions and discuss them with the examiner, and at B2 you weigh up proposals and comment on survey results. The way to get ready is to hear and say a lot of real conversations.
That's what our app, Copycat Cafe, is built for. In one of our B2 Spanish lessons, two neighbours argue about closing their street to cars on Saturdays:
«Sigo pensando que deberíamos cerrar la calle al tráfico los sábados.»
"I still think we should close the street to traffic on Saturdays."
«A pesar de que los comerciantes se han quejado, ¿quieres mantener el plan?»
"Even though the shopkeepers have complained, you want to keep the plan?"
«Sí, porque las pruebas muestran que pasa más gente cuando hay espacio para caminar.»
"Yes, because the trials show that more people come through when there's room to walk."
You hear each conversation at normal or slow speed and rebuild every line by ear, say the lines aloud and get a 0–100 pronunciation score on every word, then use the same Spanish with Copy, your AI conversation partner. You can learn Spanish from Spain or Latin American Spanish, with 50 lessons at each level from A1 to B2, so the course takes you up to the DELE B2. Copycat Cafe costs $174 a year ($14.50 a month) or $29 a month in the US, with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee on your first payment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the DELE cost?
It depends on the level and the country. In Spain in 2026 it costs €112 for A1, €138 for A2, €173 for B1, €204 for B2, €225 for C1 and €240 for C2. In the US it ranges from $128 to $210.
What score do you need to pass the DELE?
From A1 to C1, at least 30 of 50 points in reading and writing together, and 30 of 50 in listening and speaking together. At C2, at least 20 points in each of the three papers.
Does the DELE expire?
No. DELE diplomas are valid indefinitely, including older diplomas issued before the exams were updated in 2008.
Do I have to take the DELE levels in order?
No. You can register for any level directly, without a course or a lower-level diploma.
When are the DELE exams in 2027?
The general exams run on 5 March, 2 April, 22 May, 9 July, 10 September, 15 October and 13 November 2027. All six levels are offered only in May and November.
How long do DELE results take?
About two months after the written exams, or about three months for the May and November sessions.