EU Citizenship Language Rules 2026: France B2, Portugal, Spain & Italy

The rules for European citizenship changed in 2026 — and not uniformly. France made the biggest shift, raising its citizenship language requirement by a full level. Portugal enacted a new Nationality Law in May 2026, extending the standard residency period from 5 to 10 years. Spain and Italy held steady.

If you're working toward citizenship in any of these four countries, this is what you need to know right now.

Naturalising in Germany? The usual language proof band is B1 (DTZ, Goethe-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, or the Integrationskurs certificate — not the four Romance-language exams in the table below). Start here: Germany naturalisation: which language certificate? (2026).

2026 Changes at a Glance

Bottom line: If you're pursuing French citizenship, the language bar changed significantly (B2). For Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian citizenship, the language exam levels are unchanged from 2025 — but Portugal's May 2026 Nationality Law extended the residency clock to 10 years standard (7 for EU/CPLP). Political pressure to tighten rules elsewhere is ongoing. For Germany, language proof stays at B1; see the certificate explainer linked above.

France: The Biggest Shift

What changed

France raised its citizenship language requirement from B1 to B2, effective January 1, 2026.

This is a meaningful change. B2 is upper-intermediate French — the level at which you can follow complex arguments, write structured essays, and sustain a discussion on abstract topics. It is one full CEFR level above B1.

The full French language ladder in 2026

Important: If you already hold a DELF B1, it is still valid — for the 10-year residency card. It is no longer sufficient for citizenship applications submitted from January 2026.

Why France made this change

The French government cited two reasons. First, integration standards: B2 ensures applicants can participate fully in civic and professional life — not just manage daily interactions. Second, alignment with stricter EU-wide integration expectations.

The change was introduced by decree and applies to all naturalization applications submitted from January 1, 2026, regardless of when residency began.

Examen civique: the second requirement (since Jan 2026)

France also introduced a mandatory examen civique from January 1, 2026. This is not a language test — it is a 45-minute multiple-choice exam (40 questions, 32/40 to pass) on Republic values, rights and duties, institutions, history, and society. Questions are in French, but the skill tested is civic knowledge, similar to Spain's CCSE or Germany's Einbürgerungstest.

You must pass before filing a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle, a first carte de résident, or a naturalisation dossier. Renewals of cards you already hold are exempt. Some routes (certain protection statuses, applicants over 65) may also be exempt — confirm on Service Public.

Who is affected (language)

The B2 level applies to naturalisation and reintegration by decree and to declarations by marriage filed from 1 January 2026. A lower-level certificate (B1) no longer counts for these procedures. Dispensations and adapted conditions exist for disability or chronic health conditions — check your case on Service-Public before you book.

Exemptions exist only for candidates who completed secondary education in French (documented) or who have documented illiteracy.

What the DELF B2 exam requires

The DELF B2 has four sections worth 25 points each. Pass mark: 50/100 overall, with a minimum of 5/25 in each section (the note éliminatoire).

The note éliminatoire is the most dangerous feature: scoring below 5/25 in any single section fails you outright regardless of your total.

First-attempt difficulty: steep — the note éliminatoire eliminates weak sections.

Full DELF B2 preparation guide →

Portugal: Residency Extended to 10 Years (May 2026)

What happened

In late 2025, Portugal's parliament approved a proposal to extend the citizenship residency requirement from 5 to 10 years. The Constitutional Court initially rejected key provisions. However, a revised Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026) took effect on 19 May 2026: the standard legal residency period for naturalisation is now 10 years for most nationalities, with 7 years for EU and CPLP nationals. Applications filed up to 18 May 2026 keep the previous rules — requirements can change, so verify your specific situation with IRN or immigration counsel.

What actually changed: how the clock is calculated

The 2024 amendment (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2024) counted residency from the date you submitted your residence permit application. Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026 (in force since 19 May 2026) revoked that: the standard clock is now 10 years (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals), counted from the issue of your permit. Applications filed up to 18 May 2026 keep the previous rules.

What this means in practice: for nationality applications filed up to 18 May 2026, time spent waiting for the first residence permit could count. For applications filed from 19 May 2026, the clock starts when the permit is issued, so permit-processing time before issue no longer counts. Requirements can change — verify with IRN.

The CIPLE A2 requirement

Portuguese citizenship still requires demonstrating language proficiency. The accepted options are:

• CIPLE A2 — the most widely used certificate, administered by CAPLE
• PLA (Português Língua de Acolhimento) — a 150-hour course with attendance certificate, an alternative to the exam

For most applicants, CIPLE A2 is the faster and more flexible way to prove the Portuguese-language part — a single exam on a fixed date rather than a multi-week course. It does not cover the separate knowledge requirement introduced by the 2026 law.

Brazilian nationals: Citizens of CPLP countries (including Brazil) who were born in their country of origin are generally exempt from the language requirement. However, this exemption has exceptions — confirm with an immigration lawyer for your specific case.

Why you shouldn't wait

The May 2026 Nationality Law extended Portugal's standard residency requirement to 10 years. Applications filed up to 18 May 2026 follow the old 5-year rules; new applications need 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals), counted from permit issue. Requirements can change — verify your status with IRN or counsel.

The IRN (Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado) is currently processing citizenship applications with delays of 12–24 months. Every month you wait is a month added to the back of your timeline.

Full CIPLE A2 preparation guide →

Spain: No Changes — But Deadlines Matter

Spain's citizenship language requirements are unchanged in 2026. DELE A2 or higher remains the standard language proof for residence-based nationality (nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt), administered by the Instituto Cervantes.

Current Spanish citizenship requirements

• DELE A2 — Spanish language proficiency at A2 level
• CCSE — Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España (civic knowledge exam)
• Residency: 10 years standard; 5 years for recognised refugees; 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea or Portugal, and people of Sephardic origin; 1 year in special cases (for example born in Spain, or married to a Spanish citizen for one year)

Both DELE A2 and CCSE are required. They are separate exams with separate fees and separate sessions.

2026 DELE A2 sessions

Remaining 2026 sessions: October 17 and November 13 (registration closed September 2 and September 30). The 2027 calendar starts February 12, with registration opening November 18, 2026 — confirm on Instituto Cervantes.

The CCSE

The CCSE is often underestimated. It tests specific knowledge of Spanish history, geography, constitution, and social norms — in Spanish. Preparation typically requires 6–8 weeks of dedicated study. It is not a language exam — it's a knowledge exam, but answering it requires solid A2-level reading comprehension.

Full DELE A2 preparation guide →

Italy: No Changes — But CELI 2 Is B1

Italy's requirements are unchanged: citizenship needs Italian at B1. CELI 2 (Certificato di Lingua Italiana — Livello 2), administered by CVCL at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, is one of the accepted B1 certificates, alongside CILS, PLIDA and CERT.IT. CVCL also runs CELI 2 i, a version for immigrants — check which one your consulate or prefecture accepts.

Current Italian citizenship requirements

• CELI 2 B1 — Italian language proficiency at B1 (intermediate) level
• Residency: 10 years standard; 4 years for EU citizens; 5 years for stateless persons and citizens of former Italian territories; 2 years for spouses of Italian citizens residing in Italy

Why CELI 2 is harder than it sounds

CELI 2 is B1 — one full CEFR level above the A2 exams required by Portugal and Spain. This is a meaningful difference: B1 requires approximately 2,500 active vocabulary words, ability to write formal letters and structured opinion texts, and comfortable participation in conversations on social topics.

First-attempt difficulty: moderate — B1 level, and you must clear both the written part (72/120) and the oral part (22/40).

CELI 2 does have one significant structural advantage: the carry-over policy. If you pass the written part (Reading, Writing, Listening) or the oral part but fail the other, the passed part is kept for one year. On your retake, you only sit the part you didn't pass.

2026 CELI 2 sessions

Typical windows: March/April, June/July, October/November. Exact dates vary by centre — check with your local CVCL-authorized centre at least 3 months in advance.

Full CELI 2 preparation guide →

The Section Minimum Trap: Why Prepared Candidates Fail

Across all four exams, one pattern explains more failures than any other: candidates who speak the language well enough, prepare reasonably well, and still fail because of section minimum rules they didn't know about.

Each exam has its own version of this trap:

CIPLE A2: No published per-section minimum — one 55% weighted total (45/30/25). A weak Reading+Writing paper (45%) is the hardest to offset.

DELE A2: 30/50 per pair (Reading + Writing and Listening + Speaking), out of 100. Weak Listening often fails Grupo 2 unless Speaking carries it.

DELF B2: 5/25 minimum in each individual section. The note éliminatoire — below 5 in any one skill is automatic failure regardless of total.

CELI 2: Separate minimums for the written part (72/120) and the oral (22/40); a passed part is kept for one year if you fail the other.

Why general language apps fail citizenship candidates

Duolingo, Babbel, and similar apps build conversational vocabulary and basic grammar. They do not train you for:

• Timed exam sections at natural audio speed
• Formal written register expected at B1/B2 level
• Specific task formats that examiners score against explicit criteria
• The section-minimum structure that differs between exams

Passing these exams requires exam-specific preparation — not just language improvement.

The Trend: Requirements Are Getting Stricter

France's 2026 change is the clearest example of a broader European trend: governments are replacing informal language participation with formal, tested proof of ability.

Portugal survived this time but the political pressure remains. Spain's requirements haven't changed but are periodically reviewed. Italy at B1 is already stricter than most EU countries.

The strategic implication: If you are currently eligible — or will be within 12 months — the best time to start the process is now. Waiting exposes you to potential future tightening of requirements that you'd then need to meet under harder conditions.

What to Do Right Now

If you're pursuing Portuguese citizenship: Check your residency start date under Lei Orgânica 1/2026 (from the issue of your residence permit; 10 years, or 7 for EU/CPLP nationals). Book CIPLE A2 well before you plan to file.

If you're pursuing French citizenship: You need DELF B2 — not B1. Assess your current French level honestly. Suggested plan: if you're at B1, allow roughly 8–16 weeks of focused B2 preparation; below B1, allow longer.

If you're pursuing Spanish citizenship: Register for the next DELE A2 and CCSE sessions. Both exams need preparation — don't underestimate the CCSE.

If you're pursuing Italian citizenship: Confirm your residency eligibility dates. CELI 2 is B1 — suggested plan: roughly 12–16 weeks from A2 level.

Which Country's Language Exam Should I Prepare For?

Official Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a DELF B1 certificate still count for anything? Yes — for the 10-year French residency card. It no longer satisfies the citizenship requirement, which has been raised to B2 since January 2026.

Is examen civique required for French citizenship? Yes — since January 2026, alongside B2 French. It is a separate civic QCM (40 questions, 80% pass), not a DELF substitute. Renewals of existing cards are exempt.

I'm a Brazilian citizen — do I need to do CIPLE A2? Generally no — Brazilian nationals born in Brazil are typically exempt from the language requirement for Portuguese citizenship. There are exceptions; confirm with an immigration lawyer.

Can I use the same certificate for multiple countries? No. Each country accepts its own language proofs in its own language — for example CIPLE for Portugal, DELE for Spain, DELF or TCF/TEF for France, CELI or CILS for Italy. The certificate is only one requirement of the nationality file.

How long do these certificates stay valid? All four — CIPLE, DELE, DELF, and CELI — are permanent certificates with no expiry date.

What's the fastest European citizenship to obtain? Depends heavily on your eligibility. Spanish citizenship can be available after 2 years for Ibero-American nationals (10 years for most others). After Portugal's May 2026 Nationality Law, standard Portuguese naturalisation is 10 years (7 for EU and CPLP nationals) — not the old 5-year clock. France is typically 5 years with B2 French plus the civic exam; Italy is typically 10 years with B1 Italian. Germany remains a common 5-year employment route (the 3-year fast track was abolished on 30 October 2025).

Prepare for Your Exam

Prep2go covers all four citizenship language exams: CIPLE A2, DELE A2, DELF B2, and CELI 2 B1. Study path tied to your exam date, exam-format exercises, readiness score by section.

Try Prep2Go free →

Last updated: May 2026. Always verify current requirements with the relevant national authority before submitting your citizenship application.