Education & Language
Learning Spanish in Spain: methods, official language schools, DELE exams and apps
Practical ways to learn Spanish after moving to Spain: EOI official schools, private classes, DELE and CCSE exams, apps and everyday practice.
Updated: October 2026
Speaking Spanish changes everything in Spain, from dealing with the town hall to making local friends. This guide is for newcomers who want a realistic plan. It covers the main ways to learn, the low-cost public language schools (EOI), the official DELE exams, the tests needed for Spanish nationality, and the apps and habits that actually help.
Which Spanish will you hear?
Spanish (castellano) is the official language everywhere in Spain. Some regions also have a co-official language: Catalan in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, Valencian in the Valencia region, Basque in the Basque Country and parts of Navarre, and Galician in Galicia. Everyday life works in Spanish across the country, but children at school in those regions will learn both.
Accents vary a lot. In Andalucía, people often drop the final “s” and speak fast, which can be a shock after textbook Spanish. Do not worry: the grammar is the same, and your ear adjusts with practice.
Ways to learn – and who they suit
| Method | Best for | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) | Residents who want steady progress over a school year and an official certificate | Low (public fees) |
| Private language school | Fast progress, flexible start dates, intensive courses | Medium to high |
| Private tutor (in person or online) | Busy people, specific goals such as work or exams | Varies |
| Town hall and NGO classes | Beginners on a budget, meeting other newcomers | Often free or very cheap |
| Apps and online courses | Daily vocabulary and grammar practice alongside a course | Free to low |
| Language exchanges (intercambios) | Speaking practice and making friends | Free |
Most people do best by combining a structured course with daily practice. For help choosing a private school, read our guide to language schools in Spain.
Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI)
The EOIs are public language schools run by each region’s education department. Many of them teach Spanish as a foreign language (español para extranjeros), alongside English, French, German and others. Courses follow the European CEFR levels, from basic up to advanced (C1, and in some schools C2), and lead to official certificates.
- Formats: in-person classes, blended (semipresencial) and, in some regions, distance learning online.
- Timing: the course follows the school year, from about October to May or June. Applications are usually made in late spring or summer, with places allocated before September.
- Entry: you generally need to be at least 16 and have completed the first stage of secondary education or equivalent. You can often take a placement test to start above beginner level.
- Demand: popular EOIs fill up, so apply on time and check your region’s calendar.
DELE: the official Spanish diploma
The DELE (Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera) are issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain’s Ministry of Education. There are six levels, from A1 to C2, plus versions for schoolchildren. A DELE diploma has no expiry date, so it is useful for jobs, university applications and residency or nationality paperwork.
- Exam dates: several sittings a year. In 2026 the last general sitting is in mid-November, with registration closing weeks before. Dates for 2027 are published on the Instituto Cervantes exam site.
- Where: at accredited exam centres, including many universities and private language schools across Spain.
- Which level? A2 is needed for nationality, B1–B2 is a common target for work, and many universities ask for B2.
Spanish for nationality: DELE A2 and CCSE
To apply for Spanish nationality by residence, the Ministry of Justice requires two Instituto Cervantes tests: the DELE A2 (or higher) and the CCSE, a test on the Spanish constitution and society. The CCSE costs €85 in 2026 and is held about once a month at exam centres. Nationals of countries where Spanish is an official language are usually exempt from the DELE but still take the CCSE. Our guide to how the Spanish government works is a good introduction to the CCSE topics.
Apps, online tools and everyday practice
Apps such as Duolingo, Babbel or Busuu are good for a daily habit and vocabulary, but on their own they rarely get you to real conversations. Use them alongside a course, and add:
- Spanish TV and radio: RTVE Play has many programmes free online, often with Spanish subtitles.
- Intercambios: language exchange meet-ups in bars and cafés, common in Málaga, Madrid, Valencia and other cities.
- Clubs and volunteering: joining a walking group, sports club or charity forces you to speak. See our guide to building a social life in Spain.
- Small daily challenges: order at the market, phone for an appointment, read the local news.
A realistic plan for your first year
- Months 1–3: survival Spanish. Take an intensive course or a town hall class, and learn the words you need for shopping, the doctor and paperwork.
- Months 3–9: a regular course (EOI or private school) two or three times a week, plus daily app practice.
- Months 9–12: book a DELE exam to give yourself a goal, and spend more time speaking than studying.
Families with children will find the kids often learn fastest – see our guide to types of schools in Spain.
Useful links
- Junta de Andalucía – official language schools (EOI)
- Universitat Politècnica de València – what the DELE diplomas are
- FEDELE – DELE exam dates in 2026
- Universidad de Sevilla – CCSE nationality exam
- Language schools in Spain
- Universities in Spain
FAQ: learning Spanish
How long does it take to learn Spanish?
It depends on your starting point and how much you practise. With regular classes and daily use, many adults reach a comfortable conversational level (around B1) within one to two years.
Does a DELE certificate expire?
No. DELE diplomas are valid indefinitely.
Can foreigners study Spanish at an EOI?
Yes. Many EOIs offer Spanish for foreigners. You apply through the regional admission process, usually before the school year starts in autumn.
Which Spanish exams do I need for nationality?
Usually the DELE A2 (or higher) and the CCSE. Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries generally only need the CCSE.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Course fees, exam dates and nationality requirements can change – always check with the Instituto Cervantes, your EOI or the Ministry of Justice before you act.
