Language Requirements by Country: the CEFR Level & Test You Actually Need

🇩🇪 Germany: what German level do you need?

Germany asks for B1 German for both permanent residence and citizenship; a basic A1 helps at the Anmeldung and in daily life long before that.

• Permanent residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis): B1 — telc / Goethe / TestDaF / DTZ. Sufficient German (usually B1) plus the 'Leben in Deutschland' test. official source ↗
• Citizenship (Einbürgerung): B1 — telc / Goethe / DTZ + Einbürgerungstest. B1 for standard naturalisation; C1 for the fast 3-year track. official source ↗
• Family reunion (spouse): A1 — Goethe / telc A1. Basic German before arrival for most spouse visas. official source ↗

Moving to Germany guide →How long to learn German →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇫🇷 France: what French level do you need?

France raised its citizenship bar to B2 in 2026, and the multi-year residence card now requires A2. Plan for a real jump in level over a standard immigration path.

• Multi-year residence card (carte de séjour pluriannuelle): A2 — TCF / TEF / DELF. A2 required since 2026 for the multi-year card. official source ↗
• 10-year resident card (carte de résident): B1 — TCF / TEF / DELF. B1 for the long-term resident card. official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisation): B2 — TCF / TEF / DELF / DALF. Raised from B1 to B2 in 2026, plus a civics test. official source ↗

Moving to France guide →How long to learn French →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇳🇱 Netherlands: what Dutch level do you need?

The Dutch inburgering (civic integration) exam sits at A2 but is being raised toward B1. Both permanent residence and citizenship run through it.

• Civic integration (inburgering): A2 — Inburgeringsexamen (rising to B1). Mandatory for most non-EU newcomers; level rising to B1. official source ↗
• Permanent residence: A2 — Inburgeringsexamen. Pass the integration exam to qualify. official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisatie): A2 — Inburgeringsexamen. Same integration exam; A2 across the five skills. official source ↗

Moving to Netherlands guide →How long to learn Dutch →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇪🇸 Spain: what Spanish level do you need?

Spain requires DELE A2 plus the CCSE civics test for nationality. Residence itself has no formal language exam.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam for most residence permits. official source ↗
• Citizenship (nacionalidad): A2 — DELE A2 + CCSE. DELE A2 (waived for nationals of Spanish-speaking countries) plus the CCSE. official source ↗

Moving to Spain guide →How long to learn Spanish →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇹 Italy: what Italian level do you need?

Italy needs A2 Italian for the long-term (EU) residence permit and B1 for citizenship.

• Long-term residence permit (permesso UE): A2 — CILS / CELI / PLIDA. A2 for the EU long-term residence permit. official source ↗
• Citizenship (cittadinanza): B1 — CILS / CELI / PLIDA. B1 required for naturalisation since 2018. official source ↗

Moving to Italy guide →How long to learn Italian →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇦🇹 Austria: what German level do you need?

Austria's integration agreement ('Modul') requires A2 then B1 German, and citizenship needs B1 plus a civics test.

• Integration Agreement Module 1: A2 — ÖIF / ÖSD. A2 within the first two years of residence. official source ↗
• Permanent residence (Daueraufenthalt): B1 — ÖIF / ÖSD. Module 2 (B1) for long-term settlement. official source ↗
• Citizenship (Staatsbürgerschaft): B1 — ÖIF / ÖSD + civics. B1 plus knowledge of Austria and the province. official source ↗

Moving to Austria guide →How long to learn German →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇨🇭 Switzerland: what German level do you need?

Switzerland sets language rules by permit and canton — typically A2 written / B1 spoken for the C permit, and up to B1 written / B2 spoken for citizenship.

• Settlement permit C: A2 written / B1 spoken — fide / telc / Goethe / TCF. Level is in the local language (German, French or Italian). official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisation): B1 written / B2 spoken — fide / recognised exams. Canton and commune can set higher bars. official source ↗

Moving to Switzerland guide →How long to learn German →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇧🇪 Belgium: what Dutch level do you need?

Belgium's rules are regional: Flanders requires A2 Dutch integration; citizenship generally needs A2 in one national language plus proof of integration.

• Civic integration (Flanders inburgering): A2 — NT2 / recognised exam. Mandatory Dutch A2 for newcomers in Flanders. official source ↗
• Citizenship (nationaliteit): A2 — Recognised Dutch/French/German exam. A2 in one national language + social/economic integration. official source ↗

Moving to Belgium guide →How long to learn Dutch →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇩🇰 Denmark: what Danish level do you need?

Denmark uses tiered Danish exams (Prøve i Dansk). Permanent residence needs PD2 (≈B1) and citizenship the demanding PD3 (≈B2) plus a citizenship test.

• Permanent residence: B1 — Prøve i Dansk 2 (PD2). PD2 plus employment and self-support conditions. official source ↗
• Citizenship (statsborgerskab): B2 — Prøve i Dansk 3 (PD3) + Indfødsretsprøven. One of Europe's harder language bars for citizenship. official source ↗

Moving to Denmark guide →How long to learn Danish →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇳🇴 Norway: what Norwegian level do you need?

Norway requires A2 oral Norwegian for permanent residence and B1 oral plus a civics test for citizenship.

• Permanent residence: A2 (oral) — Norskprøven. A2 oral plus completed tuition hours. official source ↗
• Citizenship (statsborgerskap): B1 (oral) — Norskprøven + samfunnskunnskapsprøven. B1 oral plus the citizenship/society test. official source ↗

Moving to Norway guide →How long to learn Norwegian →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇸🇪 Sweden: what Swedish level do you need?

Sweden currently has no language requirement for residence or citizenship, though a citizenship language and civics test has been proposed.

• Residence & permanent residence: None — No formal language test at present. official source ↗
• Citizenship (medborgarskap): None (test proposed) — — (proposed). A language + civics test has been proposed but is not yet in force. official source ↗

Moving to Sweden guide →How long to learn Swedish →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇵🇹 Portugal: what Portuguese level do you need?

Portugal is one of the gentler paths — A2 Portuguese (CIPLE) for citizenship, and no formal exam for most residence permits.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam for most residence permits. official source ↗
• Citizenship (nacionalidade): A2 — CIPLE (A2). A2 Portuguese for naturalisation. official source ↗

Moving to Portugal guide →How long to learn Portuguese →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇫🇮 Finland: what Finnish level do you need?

Finland requires B1 Finnish (or Swedish) for citizenship; residence permits have no set language exam.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language test for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship (kansalaisuus): B1 — YKI (intermediate). B1 in Finnish or Swedish via the YKI test. official source ↗

How long to learn Finnish →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇨🇿 Czechia: what Czech level do you need?

Czechia asks for A2 Czech for permanent residence and B1 for citizenship.

• Permanent residence: A2 — Recognised A2 Czech exam. A2 exam for permanent residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship (občanství): B1 — B1 Czech exam + civics. B1 plus knowledge of Czech society. official source ↗

How long to learn Czech →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇬🇷 Greece: what Greek level do you need?

Greece requires B1 Greek plus a civics exam (Panhellenic) for citizenship; residence permits have no set language test.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship (ιθαγένεια): B1 — Panhellenic citizenship exam. B1 Greek plus history/geography/civics. official source ↗

How long to learn Greek →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇪 Ireland: what English level do you need?

Ireland has no language test — English (or Irish) is a fact of daily life, and there is no formal exam for residence or citizenship.

• Residence & long-term residence: None — No formal language exam. official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisation): None — No language test; residence and good-character conditions apply. official source ↗

Moving to Ireland guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: what English level do you need?

The UK requires B1 English for settlement (ILR) and citizenship, proven with an approved SELT, plus the Life in the UK test.

• Skilled Worker / most work visas: B1 — Approved SELT (IELTS UKVI, PTE, etc.). B1 across all four skills for most points-based visas. official source ↗
• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): B1 — SELT + Life in the UK Test. B1 speaking & listening plus the Life in the UK test. official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisation): B1 — SELT + Life in the UK Test. Same B1 + Life in the UK requirement. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇨🇦 Canada: what English level do you need?

Canada scores language on the CLB scale (English or French). Economic PR typically needs CLB 7, and citizenship CLB 4.

• Express Entry (economic PR): CLB 7 (≈B2) — IELTS / CELPIP / TEF / TCF. CLB 7 is competitive; some streams accept lower. official source ↗
• Citizenship: CLB 4 (≈A2–B1) — IELTS / CELPIP or proof + citizenship test. CLB 4 in English or French for applicants 18–54. official source ↗

Moving to Canada guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇦🇺 Australia: what English level do you need?

Australia rates English as functional/vocational/competent/proficient by IELTS band; skilled visas usually need at least competent (IELTS 6).

• Skilled visas (points-tested): Competent (IELTS 6 ≈B2) — IELTS / PTE / TOEFL / OET. Higher English scores earn more points. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Basic English — Citizenship test (in English). No separate exam; the test itself is in English. official source ↗

Moving to Australia guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇺🇸 United States: what English level do you need?

The US has no language test for visas or green cards, but naturalisation requires basic English (reading, writing, speaking) plus a civics test.

• Visas & green card: None — No language requirement. official source ↗
• Citizenship (naturalisation): Basic English — English + civics test. Read/write/speak basic English; some age/residence exemptions. official source ↗

Moving to United States guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇵🇱 Poland: what Polish level do you need?

Poland requires B1 Polish for citizenship; residence permits have no set exam.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: B1 — State certificate of Polish (B1). B1 certified Polish for naturalisation. official source ↗

Moving to Poland guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇱🇺 Luxembourg: what Luxembourgish level do you need?

Luxembourg citizenship needs spoken Luxembourgish at about B1 speaking / A2 listening, via the Sproochentest.

• Citizenship (naturalisation): B1 spoken / A2 listening — Sproochentest Lëtzebuergesch. Plus a 'Living Together in Luxembourg' course. official source ↗

Moving to Luxembourg guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇪🇪 Estonia: what Estonian level do you need?

Estonia requires B1 Estonian plus a constitution/citizenship-act exam for naturalisation.

• Citizenship: B1 — Estonian language exam + constitution test. B1 Estonian and knowledge of the constitution. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇱🇻 Latvia: what Latvian level do you need?

Latvia requires a Latvian language exam (about B1) plus history/anthem/constitution knowledge for citizenship.

• Citizenship (naturalisation): B1 — Latvian language + history exam. Language plus knowledge of the constitution and anthem. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇱🇹 Lithuania: what Lithuanian level do you need?

Lithuania requires a Lithuanian language exam and a constitution-basics exam for naturalisation.

• Citizenship: Approx. A2–B1 — State Lithuanian language exam + constitution exam. Language plus basics of the constitution. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇭🇷 Croatia: what Croatian level do you need?

Croatia requires proficiency in Croatian and the Latin script, plus culture/social knowledge, for naturalisation.

• Citizenship: B1 — Croatian language + culture exam. Command of Croatian and Latin script; some exemptions. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇷🇴 Romania: what Romanian level do you need?

Romania requires Romanian language proficiency plus knowledge of the constitution and national anthem for citizenship.

• Citizenship: B1 — Romanian language + civics interview. Speak/write Romanian and know basic civics. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇯🇵 Japan: what Japanese level do you need?

Japan has no formal language exam for residence or naturalisation, but officials expect functional Japanese (around N4–N3) in the naturalisation interview.

• Residence / permanent residence: None (de facto expected) — No test, but daily-life Japanese is effectively needed. official source ↗
• Naturalisation: ≈N4–N3 (informal) — Interview (no official exam). Officers assess conversational Japanese in the interview. official source ↗

Moving to Japan guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇰🇷 South Korea: what Korean level do you need?

South Korea assesses Korean via TOPIK or the KIIP programme; naturalisation requires passing the KIIP or a naturalisation exam.

• Residence (points/F-2): TOPIK-based points — TOPIK / KIIP. Higher Korean levels earn residence points. official source ↗
• Naturalisation: ≈B1 (KIIP 5) — KIIP completion or naturalisation exam + interview. Korean language and society knowledge. official source ↗

Moving to South Korea guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: what Arabic level do you need?

The UAE has no language requirement for residence visas; Arabic is not required to live or work there.

• Residence visas (work, Golden Visa): None — No language exam; English is widely used. official source ↗
• Citizenship (by nomination): Arabic (case-by-case) — Citizenship is rare and nomination-based; Arabic expected. official source ↗

Moving to United Arab Emirates guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇳🇿 New Zealand: what English level do you need?

New Zealand requires English for skilled visas (IELTS/PTE), but has no separate language test for citizenship.

• Skilled Migrant / work visas: IELTS 6.5 (≈B2) — IELTS / PTE / other approved. Overall band ~6.5 for skilled residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Basic English — No formal test; sufficient English to understand rights/duties. official source ↗

Moving to New Zealand guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇭🇺 Hungary: what Hungarian level do you need?

Hungary requires a constitutional-basics exam in Hungarian for citizenship; there is no set CEFR exam for residence.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Functional Hungarian — Constitutional basics exam (in Hungarian). Conducted in Hungarian; some exemptions. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇸🇰 Slovakia: what Slovak level do you need?

Slovakia requires a Slovak language exam (about B1) for citizenship; residence has no set exam.

• Residence permits: None — No formal exam for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: B1 — Slovak language exam. Verbal and written Slovak. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇸🇮 Slovenia: what Slovenian level do you need?

Slovenia requires A2–B1 Slovenian for citizenship; from 2025 an A1 requirement applies to some residence renewals.

• Long-term residence: A1 — Recognised Slovenian exam. A1 introduced for some residence renewals. official source ↗
• Citizenship: B1 — Slovenian language exam. About B1 for naturalisation. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇸 Iceland: what Icelandic level do you need?

Iceland requires an Icelandic language test for citizenship; residence has no set exam.

• Residence permits: None — No formal exam for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Approx. A2–B1 — Icelandic language test. State Icelandic exam for naturalisation. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇹🇷 Türkiye: what Turkish level do you need?

Türkiye has no formal language exam for residence or citizenship, though officials expect functional Turkish at the citizenship interview.

• Residence permits: None — No language test for residence. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Functional (informal) — Interview (no official exam). Ability to speak Turkish assessed informally. official source ↗

Moving to Türkiye guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇷🇺 Russia: what Russian level do you need?

Russia requires a Russian language, history and law exam for temporary/permanent residence and citizenship.

• Temporary & permanent residence: Approx. A2–B1 — Russian language + history + law exam. Combined state exam for most applicants. official source ↗
• Citizenship: B1 — Russian language exam. Certificate of Russian for naturalisation. official source ↗

Moving to Russia guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇨🇳 China: what Mandarin Chinese level do you need?

China has no formal language test for residence; permanent residence and naturalisation are rare and discretionary, with Chinese expected in practice.

• Work & residence permits: None — No language exam; HSK helps for work/study. official source ↗
• Permanent residence / naturalisation: Chinese (de facto) — — (discretionary). Rare; Chinese ability expected in practice. official source ↗

Moving to China guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇹🇭 Thailand: what Thai level do you need?

Thailand has no language test for most visas; permanent residence and naturalisation require the ability to speak and sing in Thai.

• Visas & retirement: None — No language requirement for most long-stay visas. official source ↗
• Permanent residence / citizenship: Functional Thai — Interview: speak/sing in Thai. Must speak Thai and sing the national + royal anthems. official source ↗

Moving to Thailand guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇻🇳 Vietnam: what Vietnamese level do you need?

Vietnam has no language test for residence; naturalisation requires enough Vietnamese to integrate.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Functional Vietnamese — — (case-by-case). Enough Vietnamese to integrate into the community. official source ↗

Moving to Vietnam guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇩 Indonesia: what Indonesian level do you need?

Indonesia has no language test for stay permits; naturalisation requires the ability to speak Indonesian.

• Stay permits (KITAS/KITAP): None — No formal language exam. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Functional Indonesian — Ability to speak Bahasa Indonesia. official source ↗

Moving to Indonesia guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇳 India: what Hindi level do you need?

India has no language test for visas or citizenship, but Hindi (or a regional language) transforms daily life across most of the country.

• Visas & OCI: None — No language requirement. official source ↗
• Citizenship: None (one scheduled language) — Knowledge of a language in the 8th Schedule is expected in law, not exam-tested. official source ↗

Moving to India guide →

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇮🇱 Israel: what Hebrew level do you need?

Israel has no formal language exam; citizenship via return (Aliyah) has no test, though Hebrew is essential for daily life and often studied in ulpan.

• Residence & Aliyah: None — No language exam; new immigrants study Hebrew in ulpan. official source ↗
• Naturalisation (non-return): Some Hebrew — — (case-by-case). Some knowledge of Hebrew expected. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.

🇷🇸 Serbia: what Serbian level do you need?

Serbia has no set language exam; naturalisation is discretionary with Serbian expected in practice.

• Residence permits: None — No formal language exam. official source ↗
• Citizenship: Functional Serbian (informal) — Serbian ability expected; discretionary. official source ↗

Verified 2026-07. Requirements change — always confirm on the official source.