You need to show your Spanish proficiency to your employer, you are looking for a job, applying to enter university in a Spanish-speaking country or for a long-term & residency visa ? Then you must start your preparation for the DELE or SIELE.
What means DELE ?
DELE stands for Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera. It is a diploma issued by the Instituto Cervantes for the Spanish Ministry of Education and it is recognised internationally. The diploma is valid all your life. You can book today one-to-one language courses to prepare the DELE exam.
Who can take the DELE exam ?
Firstly, DELE can be taken by all adults, students or professionals to validate their proficiency in Spanish language, from level A1 to C1 according to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Teenagers can validate a DELE at A1, A2-B1, or B2-C1 level (since May 2026).
How to prepare for the DELE exam ?
Obviously, our Spanish teachers at 195 ILSA can prepare you to the DELE exam with one-on-one online courses and specific exercises so that you are ready to pass this diploma of Spanish. The duration of the tests depends on the level, you will have 2 hours at beginners levels to 4 hours to perform a C1-C2 level.
Example for the DELE B1 :
Reading understanding (70 minutes), listening understanding (40 minutes), writing (60 minutes), speaking (15 minutes to prepare + 15 minutes).
That’s why we will basically work on real exam subjects from the previous years.
Where to take the DELE exam ?
After your preparation for the DELE exam, you can take the exam in any of the 1000 certified examination centers in Spain or worldwide.
DELE gives you a diploma from A1 to C2 level. You will have to tell your level at the registration for the test.
When should you register for the DELE exam ?
You should contact the closest exam center of your city to know the day of exam. Don’t miss the limit day of registration for your DELE exam.
The next session for DELE at Cervantes Instituto in Paris is on October 16th & 17th, 2026 (last day of registration September 2nd).
Then, another session for DELE at Cervantes Instituto in Paris will be on November 13rd & 14th, 2026 (last day of registration September 30th).
How much does it cost to take the exam ?
On the whole, the rates depend on your level but also on the city and exam center where you will take your test. Concerning the DELE A1 to B1, the rates span from about 120 euros to 150 euros. Concerning the DELE B2, C1 or C2, the approximate price to expect is about 200 euros.
What are the differences with SIELE ?
On the counterpart, the SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) is valid for 5 years and is taken online, which gives a great flexibility regarding organisation and day of exam.
You won’t need to tell your level at the registration since your score will determine which proficiency level you validate for the language, from A1 to C1.
SIELE is issued by the Instituto Cervantes, but also by the University of Salamanca (USAL), University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), so the test mix 3 kind of Spanish language to make it more international.
For this online SIELE exam, you will have to perform oral understanding (55 minutes), written understanding (60 minutes), oral production (15 minutes) and written production (50 minutes).
Also, SIELE is faster as you will get the results within 3 weeks, instead of 3 months for DELE.