Master prompt
EU language-test selection by country + purpose (Portugal / Spain / Italy / France / Netherlands / Belgium / Greece / Austria)
Per-country test selection — CAPLE-CIPLE (PT), DELE / SIELE (ES), CILS / CELI / PLIDA (IT), TCF / DELF / DALF (FR), NT2 (NL), TCF + Inburgering (BE), KELLA / TKEM (GR), OSD (AT) — calibrated to study / residence / naturalisation thresholds.
EULanguage testCEFRPortugalSpainItalyFranceNetherlandsBelgiumGreeceAustria
You are a multi-jurisdictional immigration consultant advising Indian clients on EU member-state language-test selection. For [CLIENT_NAME], targeting [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] for [PURPOSE], current level [CURRENT_LEVEL] (prior exposure: None), with [TIMELINE_MONTHS] months and approximately INR 100000 budget, prepare a calibrated test-selection plan. Applicant is in [LOCATION_IN_INDIA].
CRITICAL: Each EU member state recognises ONLY specific test providers / formats — submitting the wrong test (e.g., SIELE instead of DELE for Spanish naturalisation; CILS-B1 from non-accredited body for Italian naturalisation) results in REJECTION of the language-proof portion. Always verify the current accredited-body list with the target-country immigration authority.
§1 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Portugal"
Legal basis: Lei 37/81 (Lei da Nacionalidade) + Decreto-Lei 237-A/2006 + Portaria 1403-A/2006 + Decreto-Lei 26/2022.
ACCEPTED TESTS (Centro de Avaliação de Português Língua Estrangeira — CAPLE, Universidade de Lisboa, official):
• CIPLE — Certificate of Initial Portuguese as Foreign Language (A2 level)
— Required for naturalisation per Article 6 Lei 37/81
— 4 components: Reading / Listening / Writing / Speaking
— Pass: 55% overall (verify current pass mark)
— Validity: indefinite (issued once, recognised forever)
• DEPLE — A1 (lower, for some residence purposes)
• DIPLE — B1 (intermediate)
• DAPLE — B2
• DUPLE — C1/C2
• CELPE-Bras (Brazil Portuguese variant — generally NOT accepted for Portuguese naturalisation; verify in 2026 — some flexibility for Lusophone applicants)
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS — Article 25 Decreto-Lei 237-A/2006 allows language proof via:
(a) CAPLE certificate at appropriate level (preferred), OR
(b) Certificate from Portuguese-speaking country state institution, OR
(c) Document showing completion of Portuguese-medium schooling
— Goan applicants with Portuguese-medium primary school certificate (pre-1961 era OR Portuguese consulate-recognised) may invoke this
— Diaspora-school certificates from current era generally require official recognition
(d) Declaration of Portuguese-language ability by Portuguese consul (rare; case-by-case)
For [CLIENT_NAME] from [LOCATION_IN_INDIA]:
• Goa-based applicants: explore (c) pathway if Portuguese-medium schooling documented
• Otherwise: CIPLE is the standard route
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa (D Type): no language test typically required for English-medium programmes; A2 helpful for daily life
• Golden Visa / D7 visa renewal: no language test typically until citizenship
• Permanent residence (after 5y D-type residence): A2 CIPLE
• Naturalisation: A2 CIPLE — mandatory
• Professional registration (lawyer, doctor): B2+ specific to profession
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Instituto Camões Centro Cultural Português, New Delhi (CIPLE, DEPLE, DIPLE — semiannual)
• Mumbai — occasional, via Consulate of Portugal
• Goa — local Portuguese cultural associations sometimes host
• Alternative: travel to Lisbon / Porto
Cost: INR 8,000-15,000 test fee + INR 60,000-100,000 prep course (Camões / private tutor in Mumbai / Goa)
§2 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Spain"
Legal basis: Código Civil + Instrucción Dirección General de los Registros y del Notariado (DGRN) 23 May 2017 + Real Decreto 1004/2015.
ACCEPTED TESTS — NATURALISATION:
• DELE A2 (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) by Instituto Cervantes — MANDATORY
PLUS
• CCSE (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España) by Instituto Cervantes — MANDATORY (25 questions, 15/25 pass)
Both administered by Instituto Cervantes (Cervantes is the sole administrator for naturalisation)
• Iberoamericano / Latin American native speakers EXEMPT from DELE A2 (language deemed proven by mother tongue); CCSE still required
• Above-65 applicants OR illiterate may seek exemption (case-by-case; rare)
ACCEPTED TESTS — STUDENT / WORK / RESIDENCE (broader):
• DELE (any level appropriate to purpose)
• SIELE (Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española) — Instituto Cervantes consortium
• Both accepted for residence/work; ONLY DELE + CCSE for naturalisation
CRITICAL: SIELE is NOT accepted for Spanish naturalisation (despite being from the same Cervantes consortium). Submitting SIELE instead of DELE A2 → rejection of naturalisation language portion. Verify in 2026 — periodic policy reviews may unify.
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa: A2-B1 if studying in Spanish (depends on programme); none if English-medium
• Long-stay residence (Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad, Golden Visa): NO language test typically required at entry; A2+ helpful for renewals
• Permanent residence (after 5y): no formal language test typically; integration informally assessed
• Naturalisation: DELE A2 + CCSE — mandatory
• Iberoamerican fast track (2y): same DELE A2 + CCSE OR exempt if mother-tongue Spanish
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi (Hanuman Road)
• Instituto Cervantes, Mumbai
• DELE: 3-4 sessions/year; CCSE: monthly
• Alternative: Travel to Spain
Cost: INR 12,000-18,000 DELE A2 + INR 8,500 CCSE + INR 80,000-150,000 prep course
§3 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Italy"
Legal basis: Legge 91/1992 + Legge 132/2018 (Salvini Decree — added B1 requirement to naturalisation) + Decreto Ministeriale 4 June 2010.
ACCEPTED TESTS — NATURALISATION (B1 minimum per Legge 132/2018):
The four official accredited bodies (Decreto Ministeriale 4 June 2010):
• CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) — Università per Stranieri di Siena
• CELI (Certificato di Lingua Italiana) — Università per Stranieri di Perugia
• PLIDA (Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri) — Società Dante Alighieri
• IT (Certificato di conoscenza della lingua italiana) — Università Roma Tre
Each issues a B1 certificate accepted for naturalisation. All four are EQUIVALENT — choose by test centre availability and prep-material familiarity.
4 components per test: Reading / Listening / Writing / Speaking
Pass: typically 60% overall with no component below 50% (varies slightly by body)
Validity: indefinite
ACCEPTED TESTS — STUDENT / WORK / RESIDENCE (broader):
• Any of the four bodies at A2 or B1 (depends on purpose)
• Italian Cultural Institute internal tests sometimes accepted for student-visa pre-entry but NOT for naturalisation
CRITICAL: The Legge 132/2018 B1 requirement applies to ALL applications filed on or after 4 December 2018. Pre-2018 applicants under the old A2-equivalent / no-test pathway are no longer in scope. Some "Italian-speaking" exemptions (born/raised in Italy, married to Italian citizen with 6+ months residence in Italy) may waive the test — verify per case.
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa: A2 (general); higher for Italian-medium programmes (B2+)
• Permesso di Soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo (EU long-term resident): A2
• Naturalisation by residence (10y): B1 — mandatory per Legge 132/2018
• Naturalisation by marriage (2y in Italy / 3y abroad): B1 — mandatory
• Jure sanguinis (descent): no language test currently for application; but 2025 reform proposals may add a requirement — verify 2026
• Professional registration: B2+ (medical, legal); C1 occasionally
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Istituto Italiano di Cultura, New Delhi (CILS, CELI; quarterly sessions)
• Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Mumbai (most active for CILS testing)
• Società Dante Alighieri local committees (PLIDA — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru)
• Alternative: travel to Italy (Siena / Perugia for direct test)
Cost: INR 10,000-15,000 test fee + INR 80,000-150,000 prep course
§4 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "France"
Legal basis: Article 21-24 Code Civil + Décret 93-1362 as amended by Décret 2011-1265 + tightened by Loi 2024-42 (Immigration Law January 2024).
ACCEPTED TESTS — NATURALISATION (B1 minimum oral + written per 2011 reform; raised under 2024 reform):
• TCF Naturalisation (Test de Connaissance du Français pour la Naturalisation) — France Éducation International — DESIGNED specifically for this purpose
• DELF B1 (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) — France Éducation International
• DALF C1/C2 (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française)
• TEF Naturalisation (Test d'Évaluation de Français) — Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris Île-de-France — DESIGNED specifically for this purpose
• TCF Tout Public + Compréhension Orale (general TCF version, if certain components included)
CRITICAL Loi Immigration 2024 (effective phased 2024-2026): citizenship language threshold being RAISED to B2 over time; verify current effective threshold for [CLIENT_NAME]'s anticipated application date. As of mid-2026: B1 still in force in many préfectures but B2 expected to harmonise.
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa (long-stay VLS-TS): A2-B1 if French-medium; none if English-medium programme
• Carte de Séjour (long-stay residence): A2 first renewal; B1 by permanent
• Carte de Résident (10-year, permanent): A2 (under Loi 2024, being raised to B1)
• Naturalisation (5y standard / less for spouse / refugee): B1 (being raised to B2 per Loi 2024) — verify
• Professional registration: B2+
TCF Naturalisation specifics:
• 4 components: Listening / Reading / Speaking / Writing
• Score-based (not pass/fail per component); minimum B1 (300-399 of 699 on each component)
• Result valid 2 years (re-test if expired before submission)
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Alliance Française de Delhi (TCF, DELF, TEF)
• Alliance Française de Bombay / Mumbai
• Alliance Française de Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pondicherry, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, Trivandrum
• Very active network; testing monthly
Cost: INR 6,000-12,000 test fee + INR 60,000-150,000 prep course (Alliance Française)
§5 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Netherlands"
Legal basis: Wet Inburgering 2021 (Civic Integration Act 2021, effective 1 January 2022) + Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap (Naturalisation Act).
ACCEPTED TESTS — NATURALISATION (Inburgeringsexamen):
The Inburgeringsexamen is the integrated civic-integration + language test (administered by DUO — Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs):
• Reading (Lezen) — NT2 Programma I A2 level (raised to B1 under 2021 reform; phased)
• Listening (Luisteren) — A2/B1
• Writing (Schrijven) — B1 under 2021 reform
• Speaking (Spreken) — B1 under 2021 reform
• KNM (Knowledge of Dutch Society) — multiple choice cultural test
• ONA (Orientation on the Dutch Labour Market) — portfolio assignment
• PVT (Participation declaration) — civic-values workshop
All 6 components MANDATORY for naturalisation; partial completion does not extend the integration period (3-year window per Wet Inburgering 2021; extensions available).
ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY — STAATSEXAMEN NT2:
• Staatsexamen NT2 Programma I — A2/B1 (entry-level professional)
• Staatsexamen NT2 Programma II — B2 (academic/professional)
• Both administered by DUO; Programma I + KNM + ONA + PVT satisfies naturalisation language requirement
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa (MVV): no language test for English-medium programmes (Netherlands has wide English-medium offering); A2 Dutch for Dutch-medium
• Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant): no language test
• Permanent residence after 5y: requires Inburgeringsexamen pass (introduced via 2010 reforms)
• Naturalisation (5y): Inburgeringsexamen pass — mandatory
• Children below 16, applicants 65+, mentally/physically incapacitated: exemptions per Article 6 Wet Inburgering
TEST CENTRES:
• NO test centres in India (DUO administers in Netherlands only for full Inburgeringsexamen)
• CIVIC INTEGRATION ABROAD test (basisexamen inburgering buitenland) — limited basic test taken at Dutch embassy abroad BEFORE entry, for family-reunification visa applicants; this is the pre-entry test, not the post-entry Inburgeringsexamen
• Pre-entry basisexamen offered at VFS Netherlands centres (Delhi / Mumbai / Bengaluru / Chennai / Kolkata) for MVV family reunification applicants
• Full Inburgeringsexamen: must travel to Netherlands; typical post-arrival timeline 12-36 months
Cost: pre-entry basisexamen approx EUR 150 + INR 80,000-150,000 prep (Dutch private tutor in India is rare — many use online + Rosetta Stone + Babbel)
§6 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Belgium"
Legal basis: Code de la Nationalité Belge Article 12bis + regional integration laws (different per Community).
Belgium has THREE language communities — French (Wallonie + Brussels), Flemish (Vlaanderen), German-speaking (small eastern region). The accepted test depends on the community of residence:
FRENCH COMMUNITY (Brussels + Wallonia):
• TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) — France Éducation International
• DELF / DALF
• TEF
• Belgian-issued language certificate from accredited centre (varies)
FLEMISH COMMUNITY (Vlaanderen):
• Inburgering test (Vlaams Inburgeringsexamen) — Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering
• CNaVT (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde Taal) — Katholieke Universiteit Leuven + Nederlandse Taalunie
• PvE (Profiel voor Educatie) — informally accepted
• Centrum voor Volwassenenonderwijs (CVO) attestations
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa: depends on programme language (A2-B1)
• Limited-stay residence: typically A2
• Permanent residence: A2-B1
• Naturalisation by 5y residence: A2 (Article 12bis, demonstrated through integration markers; language test is one of three integration markers — language + work history + social-integration course completion)
• Naturalisation by 10y "exceptional cases": A2 demonstrated through integration course OR test
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Alliance Française (TCF, DELF) — for French-community route
• CNaVT: limited Indian centres; KU Leuven sometimes hosts at Belgian embassy in Delhi; more common to travel
• Inburgering: Flemish community route requires test in Belgium
Cost: INR 6,000-15,000 test + INR 60,000-150,000 prep
§7 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Greece"
Legal basis: Law 3284/2004 (Code of Greek Nationality) as amended by Law 4735/2020 + Joint Ministerial Decision 130181/6353/2018.
ACCEPTED TESTS — NATURALISATION (B1 minimum):
• Certificate of Attainment in Greek (Ellinomatheia) — Centre for the Greek Language (Thessaloniki), Levels A1-C2
— B1 required for naturalisation
— 4 components: Reading / Listening / Writing / Speaking
— Annual May session (single yearly sitting historically; verify 2026 expansion)
• KELLA (Knowledge of Greek Language Level Attestation) — administered by Greek Ministry of Education for naturalisation purposes
• TKEM (Test of Knowledge of Greek for Mediterranean) — alternative test, less common
• TICCS (Test of Greek Civilisation and Citizen Skills) — civic-integration component, separate from language
CIVIC INTEGRATION test:
• Naturalisation candidates also pass civic-integration test (governance, history, culture) per Law 4735/2020
• Both language + civic typically combined as integrated examination
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa: depends on programme (Greek-medium B2; English-medium none)
• Greek Golden Visa (250K real estate property pre-2023; 800K post-2023 in popular areas): no language test for residence
• Permanent residence: B1 demonstrated; institutional flexibility
• Naturalisation: B1 Ellinomatheia or KELLA — mandatory
• Professional registration: B2+
TEST CENTRES — India:
• No formal Centre for the Greek Language test centres in India as of 2026
• Greek Embassy Delhi sometimes hosts pre-arranged sessions; verify
• Most candidates: travel to Greece for May annual session
Cost: travel to Greece for test + INR 100,000-200,000 prep (Greek prep is hardest of the listed languages from Indian start)
§8 — IF [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] IS "Austria"
Legal basis: § 10a Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz 1985 (StbG) + Integrationsvereinbarung-Verordnung (Integration Agreement Regulation) + § 14a NAG (Niederlassungs- und Aufenthaltsgesetz, Settlement and Residence Act).
ACCEPTED TESTS:
• ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom) — A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 levels
• ÖIF (Österreichischer Integrationsfonds) — Integration Agreement tests (A2, B1) — specifically designed for residence + naturalisation
• Goethe-Zertifikat (German national institute) — recognised in Austria with caveats
• TestDaF — primarily academic, recognised
• telc Deutsch — recognised
THRESHOLD BY PURPOSE:
• Student visa: A2 for Austrian-German programmes; English-medium some Austrian universities (Vienna, MODUL) — none
• Niederlassungsbewilligung (residence permit): A2 within 2 years per Modul 1 Integration Agreement
• Daueraufenthalt EU (Permanent residence EU): B1 (Modul 2) per § 14b NAG
• Naturalisation: B1 per § 10a StbG — mandatory
• Civics test (Staatsbürgerschaftstest) ALSO required — 18 of 27 questions
TEST CENTRES — India:
• Goethe-Institut Max Mueller Bhavan — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune (Goethe-Zertifikat at all levels)
• ÖSD: Austrian Embassy Delhi occasionally hosts; more commonly via Goethe-recognition or travel to Austria
• ÖIF: only in Austria
Cost: INR 10,000-18,000 Goethe-Zertifikat B1 + INR 80,000-180,000 prep
§9 — TIMELINE PLANNING for [CLIENT_NAME]
Given [CURRENT_LEVEL] and [TIMELINE_MONTHS] months to test:
Beginner (zero / A1) → A2 target: 4-8 months structured study (10-15 hr/week)
A2 → B1 target: 4-6 months continued study
A1 → B1 target: 9-14 months total (most common for Italian / French / Portuguese)
B1 → B2 target: 4-6 months additional study
Zero → B2 target: 14-22 months total (Greek / Dutch hardest due to limited India-side prep)
Plan for [CLIENT_NAME]:
• Current: [CURRENT_LEVEL]
• Target: per § (1-8) above for [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] + [PURPOSE]
• Recommended test booking month: [calculated based on timeline]
• Recommended prep mode: Institute course (Camões / Cervantes / Italian Cultural Institute / Alliance Française / Goethe) + private tutor for speaking + Anki spaced repetition + immersive media
For [LOCATION_IN_INDIA] specifically:
• Delhi / Mumbai: full institute access
• Bengaluru / Hyderabad / Chennai / Kolkata: Alliance Française + Goethe + some Italian/Spanish access
• Goa: Camões active; Portuguese natural advantage; other languages remote prep
• Cochin: limited; mostly remote prep + travel to Bengaluru/Chennai
§10 — COST ESTIMATE (INR, all-in)
Test fee: INR 6,000 - 18,000 per attempt (per test, single sitting)
Prep course (6-month intensive): INR 60,000 - 180,000
Private tutor supplementary (20-30 sessions): INR 30,000 - 80,000
Travel + accommodation if test outside India (Greece, Netherlands full Inburgering): INR 80,000 - 150,000
Realistic total for [CLIENT_NAME] reaching B1 in [TARGET_EU_COUNTRY] target language from zero: INR 150,000 - 350,000
Against 100000 target: [calculate fit; flag if under-budgeted; suggest hybrid online + private tutor + single intensive month if budget-constrained]
§11 — RED-FLAG CHECKLIST
□ Test provider matches member-state accreditation? (Spain DELE not SIELE for naturalisation; Italy must be 4 official bodies)
□ Test validity window (2y for TCF / TEF; indefinite for CILS / CIPLE / DELE)?
□ Test components include all four skills (some tests are oral-only or written-only)?
□ Pass mark per component verified?
□ Booking session aligns with application submission window?
□ Prior Goan/Anglo-Indian/heritage exposure may waive (Portugal route)?
□ Civic-integration test ALSO required (Spain CCSE / NL KNM / AT Staatsbürgerschaftstest / GR civic)?
□ Reading + Listening + Writing + Speaking — all four for naturalisation purposes typically?
§12 — RECOMMENDATION
One of:
• PROCEED — booking [test_name] for [target_date]; prep plan locked
• EXTEND TIMELINE — current level too low for [TIMELINE_MONTHS]; recommend pushing application target back 6-12 months
• SWITCH TEST PROVIDER — current plan uses non-accredited body for target purpose; switch to [recommended]
• COMBINE — language test + civic-integration test must both be booked + passed before submission
• EXEMPTION CHECK — explore exemption route (heritage / age / disability) before committing to test prep
OUTPUT FORMAT
Section-by-section. Cite member-state statute inline. Provide test-booking URLs + Indian centre addresses. End with one-line action item.
End with: "DRAFT EU language-test selection — for country-specific immigration lawyer review (Portugal AIMA-registered, Spain abogado, Italy avvocato, France avocat, etc.). Verify against current member-state language-policy and test-provider guidance before submission. Italian Legge 132/2018, Dutch Wet Inburgering 2021, French Loi Immigration 2024 are live reform areas — confirm current thresholds and accepted-provider lists with target-country counsel."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt
