Language Test Requirements for Naturalisation
Most countries require some demonstration of national-language proficiency to grant citizenship — typically through a recognised test at A2, B1, or B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This reference covers the required level, accepted tests, and exemption rules across major destinations. Levels matter: A2 ≈ basic conversational, B1 ≈ independent user, B2 ≈ upper-intermediate.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-09. Naturalisation rules change with government — France's B1 → B2 reform (2026), Sweden's proposed B1 introduction (2026), and Netherlands' A2 → B1 shift (January 2025) are recent examples.
| Country | Language | CEFR level | Recognised tests | Exemptions / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Spanish (no formal test) | — | No formal language test — interview/judicial assessment. | — Argentina has the world's fastest naturalisation timeline at just 2 years of residence, with no formal language test. Among the most accessible OECD-equivalent citizenships. |
| Australia | English | Functional English (no formal CEFR — passing the Australian Citizenship Test in English suffices for most) | Citizenship Test (administered by Department of Home Affairs) — 20 questions on Australian values, history, government. | Applicants over 60 (test waived), under 18, or with permanent disability. From late 2020 the test added a mandatory Australian-values section. Pass mark 75% overall plus 100% on the 5 values questions. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen/citizenship-test |
| Austria | German + civics | B1 | ÖSD B1, GOETHE-Zertifikat B1, telc B1 (Austrian variants) | Applicants with Austrian-language secondary or tertiary education. Naturalisation also requires Staatsbürgerschaftsprüfung (civics test) and 6-10 years residence depending on circumstances. |
| Belgium | Dutch, French, or German (region-dependent) | A2 (basic) — varies by procedure: A2 for procedure based on 5-year residence; A1 for some abridged routes. | Region-specific certified language certificates accepted — equivalence determined by the Federal Public Service Justice case-by-case. | Applicants with Belgian secondary or tertiary education in one of the three official languages. Naturalisation procedure also requires evidence of social integration (450 hours civic training or sustained employment / education). Each region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital) accepts only its own region's official languages for the language proof. |
| Brazil | Portuguese | Conversational (no formal CEFR threshold) | Interview-based assessment by Federal Police; CELPE-Bras certificate accepted as positive evidence. | Applicants from Portuguese-speaking countries exempt. Brazil's standard naturalisation requires 4 years of legal residence (1 year for Portuguese-speakers via Article 12). Conversational Portuguese sufficient — no formal test. |
| Canada | English or French + civics | CLB 4 (~A2-B1) | IRCC-recognised tests (IELTS General, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada, TCF Canada). Most applicants submit prior language test from PR application. | Applicants under 18 or over 55. Refugee waivers possible. Language requirement applies to applicants 18-54. Civics test (Discover Canada study guide) is multiple choice, 20 questions, 15 to pass. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship.html |
| Czech Republic | Czech + civics | B1 | Czech language exam at B1 + Czech reality test (civics, history, geography) | Applicants who completed Czech-language schooling for at least 3 years. Both tests can be taken at certified language schools. Costs ~CZK 4,000 combined. |
| Denmark | Danish (Prøve i Dansk) + civics (Indfødsretsprøve) | Prøve i Dansk 3 (~B2) | Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) — formal naturalisation language exam | — Denmark requires PD3 (~B2) plus the Indfødsretsprøve civics test (40 questions, 36 correct to pass). Among the strictest EU naturalisation language requirements. |
| Estonia | Estonian + civics | B1 | Estonian language exam at B1 level + Constitution and Citizenship Act knowledge test | Applicants who completed Estonian-language secondary or tertiary education. Two separate tests required. Significant point of contention for Russian-speaking residents historically. |
| Finland | Finnish or Swedish | B1 | YKI test (general language proficiency exam) at level 3 (B1) — administered by Finnish National Agency for Education | Applicants over 65 or with documented disability. YKI test costs €123 (2024). Either Finnish or Swedish satisfies the requirement (Swedish-speaking minority counts). |
| France | French | B1 (rising to B2 from 1 January 2026) | TEF / TEF Naturalisation (Chambre de Commerce de Paris), TCF / TCF-IRN (France Éducation International), DELF B1, DALF, university diplomas | Native French speakers from francophone countries (Belgium, Senegal, etc.) and applicants with French-language secondary or tertiary education in France. Reform announced January 2024 raises the threshold from B1 to B2 effective 1 January 2026 — significant tightening of naturalisation criteria. |
| Germany | German + civics (Einbürgerungstest) | B1 (or C1 for the 3-year fast track) | GOETHE-Zertifikat B1, telc Deutsch B1, ÖSD B1, Deutsch-Test für Zuwanderer (DTZ) — all administered by certified providers | Applicants who attended German-language secondary school for at least 4 years, or completed a German-language tertiary degree. The June 2024 reform reduced standard naturalisation residency to 5 years, but added the C1 + 'special integration achievements' fast-track at 3 years. Einbürgerungstest costs €25 and tests 33 questions on civics. |
| Greece | Greek + civics | B1 | ΕΛΛ-Β1 (Πιστοποίηση Ελληνομάθειας — Centre for the Greek Language) + Panhellenic Naturalisation Examination (PEAI) | Applicants over 62 or with documented learning difficulties. Naturalisation also requires the Panhellenic Examination — a written test of language, history, geography, and politics, administered twice yearly. |
| Hungary | Hungarian + civics | Conversational (no formal CEFR — interview-based assessment) | Constitutional knowledge test in Hungarian + naturalisation interview | Ethnic Hungarians applying through descent route exempt from formal language test. Standard naturalisation requires demonstrated conversational Hungarian — no formal CEFR threshold but in practice ~B1 expected. Ethnic Hungarian descent route bypasses language requirement. |
| Ireland | English (no formal test currently required) | — | No statutory English-language test for naturalisation as of 2025. | — Ireland is among the few EU countries with no formal language test for naturalisation. The Minister for Justice has discretion to assess language adequacy informally during the interview/declaration stages. |
| Israel | Basic Hebrew + civics knowledge | Conversational (no formal CEFR) | Interior Ministry interview-based assessment. | Aliyah-route applicants under the Law of Return are not naturalising — they are claiming jus sanguinis citizenship and have no language requirement at all. Standard naturalisation (non-Aliyah, e.g. by long residence) requires basic conversational Hebrew. Aliyah is a separate jus-sanguinis-equivalent route bypassing all language requirements. |
| Italy | Italian | B1 | CILS B1 (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI B1 (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), PLIDA B1 (Società Dante Alighieri), IT B1 (Università Roma Tre) | EU citizens applying through marriage may qualify with reduced linguistic evidence. Applicants with Italian-language tertiary education. B1 requirement introduced December 2018 reform. No civics test required. https://www.interno.gov.it/it/temi/cittadinanza-e-altri-diritti-civili |
| Japan | Japanese (interview-based) | ~JLPT N3-N2 (B1-B2 equivalent) | Ministry of Justice interview — no formal exam, but functional Japanese expected. | — Japan has no formal CEFR threshold but the naturalisation interview tests reading, writing, and speaking at functional adult level — typically equivalent to JLPT N3 or N2 (B1-B2). Renunciation of prior citizenship is also required. |
| Latvia | Latvian + civics | B1 | Latvian state language exam (B1) + Constitution and history test | Applicants over 65, with disabilities, or with Latvian-language schooling. Significant naturalisation barrier for Russian-speaking minority — many remain non-citizens (alien passport holders) for this reason. |
| Lithuania | Lithuanian + civics | B1 | Lithuanian state language exam (B1) + Constitution test | Applicants over 65 or with disabilities. |
| Luxembourg | Luxembourgish (Sproochentest) | B1 oral, A2 written | Sproochentest (Institut National des Langues) — standard Luxembourgish test for naturalisation | Applicants who attended Luxembourg secondary school for at least 7 years. Luxembourgish is required — French and German alone (despite being co-official) are not sufficient. Vivre ensemble civic course (24 hours) also required. |
| Mexico | Spanish + history/civics test | Conversational | SRE-administered Spanish-language interview + history/culture exam | Applicants from Spanish-speaking and Iberian countries (Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Andorra, Philippines). Conversational Spanish required; SRE history test covers basic Mexican history and government. |
| Netherlands | Dutch + civics (Inburgering) | B1 (raised from A2 effective 1 January 2025) | Inburgeringsexamen (covers reading, writing, speaking, listening + civics modules KNM, ONA) | Applicants under 16 or over 65, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (for inburgering — not for naturalisation), and those with disability exempting language acquisition. Inburgering costs vary by provider but typical total ~€350-€600. The 2025 reform from A2 to B1 substantially raised the bar — current applicants in transition assessed under prior rules. |
| Norway | Norwegian (bokmål or nynorsk) + civics | A2 oral | Norskprøven A2 (UDIR) + Statsborgerprøven (citizenship test, multiple choice) | Applicants over 67 or with documented learning difficulties. From 2022 reform raised oral threshold from A1 to A2. Statsborgerprøven costs ~NOK 320. |
| Portugal | Portuguese (CIPLE) | A2 | CIPLE A2 (Instituto Camões / Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira) | Nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries (Brazil, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé, Timor-Leste). Applicants with Portuguese-language schooling. Among the lowest naturalisation language thresholds in the EU. CIPLE A2 costs €72 and tests reading, writing, speaking. No civics test required for naturalisation by residence. |
| Spain | Spanish (DELE) + civics (CCSE) | A2 | DELE A2 (Cervantes Institute) + CCSE (Spanish-knowledge test) | Nationals of Latin America, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Philippines, Portugal — exempt from DELE (DELE only required for non-Spanish-speaking applicants). Both DELE A2 and CCSE must be passed. CCSE costs €85 and DELE A2 costs €130 (2024). The Cervantes Institute administers both. |
| Sweden | Swedish (no formal test currently required) | — | Reform proposed June 2024 to introduce B1 Swedish + civics from 2026 — not yet enacted at the time of writing. | — Sweden has historically had no language test for naturalisation. The current centre-right coalition has proposed a B1 + civics test from 2026 but legislation remains pending. Until enacted, no formal language requirement. |
| Switzerland | German, French, Italian, or Romansh (canton-dependent) | Federal: B1 oral / A2 written. Cantonal/communal may impose higher thresholds. | fide B1 (oral) / A2 (written) — official Swiss federal certificate. Equivalents: GOETHE, telc, DELF/DALF, CILS depending on canton. | Applicants with Swiss-language secondary or tertiary education in the cantonal language. Federal minimum is just oral B1 / written A2 but most cantons impose higher: Geneva and Zürich often expect at least B1 written. Three-tier procedure (federal, cantonal, communal) means each layer may add additional requirements. https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/integration-einbuergerung.html |
| United Kingdom | English + civics (Life in the UK Test) | B1 | IELTS Life Skills B1, Trinity ISE I, Pearson PTE B1, ESOL Skills for Life Entry 3, plus university degrees taught in English | Nationals of majority-English-speaking countries (US, Canada, Australia, NZ, Ireland, Caribbean Commonwealth, etc.). Both the language test and the Life in the UK Test (24 questions on history, geography, government, traditions) are required. Life in the UK costs £50 and is multiple choice. |
| United States | English + civics | Roughly equivalent to A2-B1 | USCIS-administered oral interview testing reading, writing, speaking + civics test (10 of 100 standard questions, 6 correct to pass) | Applicants over 50 with 20+ years LPR status (50/20 rule), over 55 with 15+ years (55/15), over 65 with 20+ years (65/20 — easier civics test). Disability waivers via Form N-648. Civics test was briefly revised in 2020 (128-question version) but reverted to the standard 100-question version in 2021. Trump 2.0 admin signalled potential return of the harder version — uncertain as of mid-2025. https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources |
CEFR levels at a glance
- A1 — Beginner: Can introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions about personal details.
- A2 — Elementary: Can communicate in routine situations on familiar topics. The bar Portugal, Spain, Switzerland (written) require for naturalisation.
- B1 — Intermediate: Can produce simple connected text on familiar topics. Most common naturalisation requirement: France (until 2025), Italy, Germany, Greece, Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, UK, Switzerland (oral).
- B2 — Upper-intermediate:Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects. France from 2026. Denmark's PD3 sits here.
- C1 — Advanced:Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Germany's 3-year naturalisation fast track requires C1.
See also: Dual citizenship policy · Tax residency matrix.