General information

General conditions and requirements

Candidates wishing to take the examinations leading to the Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language must meet the following requirements:

  1. When registering, candidates must prove that they are citizens of a country in which Spanish is not an official language.
  2. Citizens of Spanish-speaking countries resident in countries where Spanish is not an official language may register if they meet at least two of the following conditions:
  • Spanish is not the mother tongue of one of the candidate's parents.
  • Spanish was not the first language learned.
  • Spanish is not the candidate's usual language of communication.
  • The candidate has not studied all or part of their primary or secondary education in Spanish.

The candidates mentioned in section 2 above must declare, in writing, that they meet at least two of these conditions. If they do, the candidates must complete the sworn declaration available in the file attached at the bottom of this page, and submit this together with the rest of the documents.

Registration procedures

Registration for the tests must be effected at a DELE examination centre within the period established for each examination session. The following documents are necessary to register for the tests:

  • Registration form, duly completed, which can be obtained at the examination centres or by downloading the file attached at the bottom of this page.
  • Original and photocopy of a photo ID that includes the following information: identity, nationality, place and date of birth. Information declared by candidates on the registration form must correspond with that on the ID.
  • Documents accrediting payment of the registration fee.
  • Signed declaration, when appropriate, of fulfilment of at least two of the conditions described in section 2 under General Conditions.

Instituto Cervantes may administer the examinations for Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language under special conditions to those candidates who, due to being in conditions of confinement or having some kind of disability, are unable to sit these exams under the conditions set forth in the guidelines.

Rights of Registration

The Rights of Registration can be paid for either cash, check, making a deposit or a credit transfer (specifying ‘DELE registration’ and the level). The Examination Centre can determine other means of payment.

Once the registration fee is paid, if the candidate renounces to the registration during the registration period or in the following 10 calendar days (5 days for the examination in August), he/she has the right to have the fee totally refunded. Should he/she renounces in the 10 days following termination of the established cancellation period (5 day for the examination in August), he/she will be refunded only 50% of the paid fee.

The paid fee as registration includes the issue and shipping of the diploma. The fees fixed in each country and examination centres as ‘rights of registration’ must be consulted in the appropriate examination centre or the suitable Instituto Cervantes abroad.

Required Documentation

The candidates must take the exam with:

  1. A stamped copy of the registration form.
  2. Passport or identification submitted in the registration process.
  3. The official notice of the examination that the examination centre had sent to the candidate.

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