2026 Changes at a Glance
| Country | What Changed | When | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | DELF A2 now required for multi-year residence permits | January 1, 2026 | High — affects all new applicants |
| Portugal | 10-year rule rejected by Constitutional Court | February 2026 | Medium — 5-year rule remains |
| Spain | No changes — DELE A2 remains standard | — | None |
| Italy | No changes — CELI 2 B1 remains standard | — | None |
If you're working toward citizenship or long-term residency in Portugal, Spain, France, or Italy, 2026 has changed the rules — and not in your favor.
Across Europe, governments are moving away from "show up to a language class" toward "prove you can pass a formal test." The window to qualify under older, more lenient rules is closing fast.
Here's what's changed, what it means for you, and how to make sure a language exam doesn't derail your immigration journey.
What Changed in 2026: A Country-by-Country Breakdown
France: The Biggest Shift
France made the most dramatic changes, effective January 1, 2026:
This is a fundamental shift. Millions of immigrants who previously qualified by simply attending classes must now pass a formal language exam to renew or upgrade their status.
Portugal: The 5-Year Rule Survives (For Now)
Portugal's parliament approved a proposal to extend the citizenship residency requirement from 5 to 10 years — but the Constitutional Court rejected key provisions. As of February 2026, the 5-year rule remains in force.
However, the 2024 amendment (Lei Orgânica 1/2024) changed how residency time is calculated. Your clock now starts from the date you applied — not the date your permit was issued. If AIMA took years to process your card, that waiting time now counts.
The CIPLE A2 exam remains the required language test for Portuguese citizenship. With political pressure to tighten requirements, those who are eligible now should not wait.
Spain: DELE A2 Deadlines Are Coming
Spain's DELE A2 remains the standard citizenship language requirement, with multiple exam sessions per year. The next session is May 23, 2026, with registration closing on April 8, 2026.
Spain has not announced changes to its language threshold, but the trend across Europe toward stricter requirements makes early preparation the only safe strategy.
Italy: CELI 1 A2 — Next Session June 2026
Italy's CELI 1 A2, administered by the University of Perugia, remains the standard for residency applicants. The next session is June 10, 2026, with registration closing May 8, 2026.
Why Immigrants Are Failing — And It's Not the Language
Here's the part most preparation guides won't tell you: many candidates who speak the language well enough still fail the exam. The reason is almost always the section scoring trap.
Each of these exams — CIPLE, DELE, DELF, and CELI — has minimum score thresholds per section, not just an overall pass mark. You can score well in reading and writing, but a weak listening section can fail you outright, regardless of your total score.
CIPLE A2: Minimum 55% overall, with section minimums across Oral Comprehension (30%), Reading and Writing (45%), and Oral Expression (25%).
DELE A2: Four skills worth 25 points each. You must score at least 30/50 in each of two pairs: (Reading + Writing) and (Listening + Speaking). Scoring 59/100 total still means fail if one pair is under 30.
DELF A2: If you score below 5/25 in any single skill, you automatically fail — regardless of your total.
CELI 1 A2: Minimum thresholds apply per section, with the University of Perugia format requiring balanced performance across all components.
This is why general language apps like Duolingo consistently leave exam candidates underprepared. They teach conversational fluency. They do not train you for timed exam blocks, natural-speed audio with background noise, or the exact format and section weighting of each official test.
How to Actually Prepare: What Works in 2026
1. Take a Full Mock Exam Before Anything Else — The single most important thing you can do is sit a full-length exam simulator before you start studying. This tells you which sections you are already passing and which would fail you today. Without this baseline, you are studying blind.
2. Focus on Your Weakest Section, Not Your Favorite — Most candidates naturally gravitate toward what they are already good at. If your reading is strong and your listening is weak, every hour spent on reading practice is wasted. Your pass depends on your lowest section.
3. Train for the Actual Exam Format — The listening sections use natural-speed audio, often with background noise and regional accents. You need to train with audio that matches the real exam pace and format.
4. Study Daily, Not in Weekend Blocks — Thirty to forty-five minutes every day builds retention faster than three hours on Sunday. This is especially important for listening and speaking skills.
5. Know Your Readiness Score Before You Book — Exam fees range from 72 to 85 euros per attempt. Do not book your exam date until you have a reliable signal that you are ready to pass across all sections in practice conditions.
The Window Is Narrowing
Europe's immigration language requirements are moving in one direction. France's 2026 changes are the clearest signal yet: governments are replacing informal language participation with formal, tested proof of ability. Portugal's 5-year citizenship window survived a legal challenge, but the political pressure remains.
If you are eligible now — or will be within the next 12 months — the smartest move is to start preparing immediately. The exam itself is achievable. Thousands of candidates pass CIPLE, DELE, DELF, and CELI every year with structured, focused preparation. You do not need to be fluent. You need to pass the test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare for CIPLE, DELE, DELF, or CELI?
Most candidates need 6 to 12 weeks of consistent daily practice, depending on their starting level. Starting from zero requires at least 8 to 12 weeks before your exam date.
Can I prepare in 30-45 minutes a day?
Yes — if you are consistent. Daily micro-sessions build retention better than cramming. The key is showing up every day.
What is the passing score for each exam?
CIPLE: 55% overall with section minimums. DELE: 30/50 in each skill pair. DELF: 50/100 with no single skill below 5/25. CELI: section minimums apply across all components.
Do I need to be fluent to pass?
No. These are A2-level exams, designed to test basic, everyday communication — not advanced fluency. Targeted exam preparation is more effective than general language learning.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake the exam at the next available session. However, failing costs both the exam fee and time. Knowing your readiness score before you book significantly reduces this risk.
Start your full-access trial at prep2go.study — no credit card required.
Sources: CAPLE - Camões Institute for Portuguese Language Certification Instituto Cervantes - Official DELE Exam Authority France Education International - Official DELF/DALF Authority CVCL - Centro per la Valutazione e le Certificazioni Linguistiche