Exam overview

The CCSE tests knowledge of the Spanish Constitution and of the social and cultural realities of Spain. It is required for Spanish naturalization and is administered by the Instituto Cervantes. A defining feature: the official question bank is fully published. Since January 2026 every exam uses the Manual CCSE 2026, which contains all 300 questions with the answer key (about 25% of the questions were renewed compared with the 2025 edition).

Eligibility

(As of 2026)

Anyone may take the CCSE itself, but to use it for a Spanish nationality application the following residency rules apply:

• Standard: 10 years of legal residence
• Reduced periods:
  • Latin America, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal: 2 years
  • Sephardic Jews: 2 years plus additional procedure
  • Married to a Spanish citizen: 1 year
  • Refugees: 5 years
  • Born in Spain and other special cases
• Aged 18 or older (separate procedure for minors)
• No serious criminal record

Language is tested separately via the DELE A2 exam — both CCSE and DELE A2 must be passed. Native Spanish speakers (Latin America, Equatorial Guinea, etc.) are exempt from DELE A2. All minors (under 18) and people whose legal capacity has been limited by a court are exempt from both exams. Holders of a Spanish ESO (compulsory secondary education) diploma or higher can get a full CCSE dispensation, and people who cannot read or write a partial one, with Ministry of Justice approval.

Exam format

• 25 questions in 5 tasks (tareas): 10 + 3 + 2 + 3 + 7; Tarea 2 is true/false, the other tasks have 3 options (a/b/c)
• 45 minutes
• Pass with 15 correct answers out of 25 (60%)
• Paper-based: you mark an answer sheet, which is machine-scored
• Language: Spanish (Castilian) only
• Locations: certified Instituto Cervantes centers worldwide
• Held monthly on most months, on fixed dates
• All questions come from the 300 in the Manual CCSE 2026 (Tarea 1: 120, Tarea 2: 36, Tarea 3: 24, Tarea 4: 36, Tarea 5: 84). About 60% of the questions are on government, law and rights; Tarea 5 covers everyday life, society and administrative procedures

Fees

(As of 2026; subject to change)

• CCSE exam fee: €85 — one registration covers up to 2 sittings (the second is free if you fail or do not show up the first time)
• DELE A2 exam fee: approximately €124 (separate exam)
• Spanish nationality application fee (tasa): €104.05 (2026)

Exam fees and the nationality application fee are separate — passing the exam does not waive the application fee.

How to register

1. Register at examenes.cervantes.es/es/ccse/inscribirse
2. Choose a session and test center, pay the €85 fee
3. Confirmation and exam date follow
4. Bring photo ID (TIE or passport) on test day

Retake policy

• No limit on attempts
• The €85 registration includes a free second sitting if you fail or miss the first one; after that, a new €85 registration is needed
• No mandatory waiting period — simply register for the next session

After passing

1. Receive your CCSE certificate — valid for 4 years
2. File the Spanish nationality application within those 4 years (online or via consulate)
3. Submit DELE A2 certificate + CCSE certificate + proof of residence + supporting documents
4. Review (typically 1–3 years)
5. On approval, swear loyalty (juramento) at a consulate or Civil Registry (Registro Civil)
6. Apply for the Spanish national ID (DNI) and passport

Official resources

• CCSE official site: examenes.cervantes.es/es/ccse
• Registration and schedule: examenes.cervantes.es/es/ccse/inscribirse
• Manual CCSE 2026 (300 questions with answer key) and preparation materials: examenes.cervantes.es/es/ccse/preparar-prueba
• Results and grading: examenes.cervantes.es/es/ccse/calificaciones

Things to watch out for

• Seats are limited and first-come, first-served — register the moment a session opens
• The certificate expires 4 years after issue; if you have not filed for nationality within that window, you must retake the exam
• Outside Latin America, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Sephardic Jews, the 10-year residency rule applies — insufficient residence is the most common rejection reason
• Forgetting valid photo ID (TIE or passport) on test day means you cannot sit the exam

FAQ

Is the test only in Spanish? Yes. It is conducted entirely in Castilian Spanish; no other language options exist.

What if I fail? You can retake it as many times as needed. Each €85 registration covers up to 2 sittings, so the first retake is free.

Does the certificate last forever? No — it is valid for 4 years from issue. The nationality application must be filed within that period.

Is passing the CCSE alone enough for nationality? No — unless Spanish is your native language, you must also pass the DELE A2 exam.