Quick Answer
Four European countries require A2 language exams for citizenship or residency: Portugal (CIPLE A2), Spain (DELE A2), France (DELF A2), and Italy (CELI 2 B1). Each has different scoring rules, pass marks, and eliminatory requirements.
| Exam | Country | Level | Pass Mark | Eliminatory Rule | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIPLE A2 | Portugal | A2 | 55% overall | 25% min per section | ~2.5 hours |
| DELE A2 | Spain | A2 | 30/50 per pair | 30/50 per pair of skills | ~3 hours |
| DELF A2 | France | A2 | 50/100 overall | 5/25 min per skill | ~2 hours |
| CELI 2 | Italy | B1 | 60% overall | Carry-over policy | ~3.5 hours |
If you're eligible for citizenship in multiple European countries, you're facing a choice: which exam should you take?
This guide compares all four citizenship language exams head-to-head - scoring rules, difficulty, pass thresholds, and strategic advantages.
The Quick Comparison Table
| Exam | Country | Pass Score | Section Minimums | Easiest If... | Hardest If... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIPLE A2 | Portugal | 55% | 25% each | Strong in reading & writing | Weak in listening |
| DELE A2 | Spain | 60% | 30/50 per pair | Balanced across all skills | Weak in speaking |
| DELF A2 | France | 50/100 | 5/25 each | Balanced across all skills | Weak in speaking |
| CELI 1 A2 | Italy | 60% | 60% overall* | Strong in writing | Weak in both speaking & listening |
*CELI has a carry-over policy: pass one block, resit the other.
CIPLE A2 (Portugal)
Pass threshold: 55% overall. Section minimums: 25% in each. Key advantage: lowest overall pass threshold. Key disadvantage: many fail because listening is below 25%.
DELE A2 (Spain)
Pass threshold: 60% overall. Section minimums: 30/50 in each pair (R+W and L+S). Key advantage: clear section weighting. Key disadvantage: highest threshold, cannot compensate weak pair with strong pair.
DELF A2 (France)
Pass threshold: 50/100. Section minimums: 5/25 in each skill (eliminatory). Key advantage: lowest threshold. Key disadvantage: below 5/25 in any skill = automatic fail.
CELI 1 A2 (Italy)
Pass threshold: 60% overall. Carry-over policy: pass one block, resit the other. Key advantage: can split preparation across two attempts. Key disadvantage: highest threshold.
Next Steps
Take a mock exam in each eligible exam. Compare your scores. Choose the exam where you scored highest. Start preparing 8-12 weeks before your exam date.
CIPLE A2 Preparation | DELE A2 Preparation | DELF A2 Preparation | CELI 1 A2 Preparation
Sources: CAPLE - Camรตes 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