DELE certificate

The DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) is the official qualification certifying the degree of competence and mastery of the Spanish language. Issued by the Cervantes Institute, it is internationally recognised by private companies, chambers of commerce and public and private education systems. In some countries, the DELE certificates have been adopted by education authorities and educational institutions as a complement to their own assessment programmes.  

The DELE certificates are also a means of personal promotion in the academic and professional fields and an essential requirement for access to education in Spain.

The DELE certificates are valid for life. 

On the DELE official website, you can find further information on these certificates. 

The DELE exams are held in Cagliari twice a year, in May and November. These are the dates for 2026: 

• 22 May: A1 for young learners, A2/B1 for young learners.  
• 23 May: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.  
• 13 November: A1 for young learners, A2/B1 for young learners.  
• 14 November: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.  

Levels and exams

The DELE certifies the level of language proficiency achieved by the candidate regardless of where and when he/she has studied. This certification does not expire and is divided into six levels, which correspond to those indicated by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework (see image on the right).

The Cervantes Institute offers two types of exams:

• Six general exams: for candidates aged 16 and over, covering all levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). Anybody can register, regardless of age, education, or nationality.    
• Two exams for young learners: for students aged between 11 and 17. The “DELE A1 exam for young learners“ enables you to obtain the DELE A1 certificate, while the “DELE A2/B1 exam for young learners“ is a progress test in that, in the event of a positive result and depending on one’s language level, the candidate may obtain either the DELE A2 certificate or the DELE B1 certificate. Candidates wishing to sit the exam for students must not be older than 20 years on the day of the written exam. The DELE certificates obtained through these exams certify language proficiency in exactly the same way as the DELE general exams and therefore do not report any additional expression on the certificate.  From 2026 there will also be a third level "DELE B2-C1 para escolares", which will not be activated in Cagliari for organizational reasons.

There is no specific test for determining which level is the most suitable, but this level test may be useful. However, this test does not assess written or oral production skills. The test results are therefore only indicative and should be treated carefully. In any case, we recommend that you check the materials available for the different levels: assessment grid, models and exam guidelines and recommended bibliography.

The Cervantes Institute helps candidates with special needs. These candidates must follow a special registration procedure.

When do the DELE exams take place in Cagliari?

The DELE Examination Centre in Cagliari administers the DELE exams in two annual sessions in May and November. However, the sessions can only be activated if a minimum number of candidates is reached. In the event that this number is not reached, registered candidates may choose between obtaining a refund of the registration fee or being transferred to another location dependent on the Cervantes Institute in Rome (central Italy).  

May 2026 exam dates 

- Written exams: Friday 22 (A1 for young learners and A2/B1 for young learners) and Saturday 23 (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2).  

- Oral exams:  in the three-four days before or after the written exams.

- Registration deadline: 8 April 2026.  

November 2026 exam dates

- Written exams: Friday 13 (A1 for young learners and A2/B1 for young learners) and Saturday 22 (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2).  

- Oral exams: on the two to three days preceding the written exams.  

- Registration deadline: 30 September 2026.

DELE exam fees 2026

DELE 2026 – individual registration

In order to formalise your registration, you must produce the following documents:

• A complete registration form. It is particularly relevant to provide a correct and working email address, as all communications with candidates take place on this channel.
• A photocopy of your identity card or passport. The personal details entered on the registration form must match those on your identity document.  
• Proof of payment of registration fees. The Examination Centre in Cagliari only accepts payments made by bank transfer.  

You can send these documents by e-mail (dele.cagliari@tiscali.it or dele.cagliari@gmail.com).

At the end of the registration period, the DELE Examination Centre in Cagliari will inform candidates by e-mail that they have registered. One week before the exam date, candidates will receive the official exam summons, indicating the location, date, and time of the written and oral exams.

PAYMENTS:

Bank transfer to: 

Instituto Cervantes di Roma

Banco di Credito Cooperativo di Roma 

Ag. Via Savoia 12 – Roma

IBAN: IT71F0832703235000000002550

SWIFT: ROMAITRR 

In the reason for payment, it is essential to specify the following data and in this order: SURNAME and NAME of the candidate (not of the person making the payment, if this is different), CITY of examination, and LEVEL. Example: Rossi Giulia – Cagliari – B1  

DELE 2026 – group registration

It is possible to register groups of at least ten candidates, even of different levels, by making a group registration request and making a single overall payment. From 2024 there will no longer be discounts for candidates registered with this method. As far as possible, we will try to have these candidates carry out the oral tests on the same days and time slots.

In order to proceed with group registration you need to fill in the group registration form in all fields and send it by email to the Examination Centre in Cagliari (dele.cagliari@tiscali.it) with a copy of the payment receipt, and the following documents for each candidate belonging to the group::

- self-certification form.. It is particularly relevant to provide a correct and working email address, as all communications with candidates take place on this channel.

- Copy of a valid identity document containing a photograph, full name, place and date of birth and nationality. Underage candidates with no identity document must complete a registration sheet.

- Any requests for facilities for candidates with special needs. They should be submitted with the medical or school principal certificates.

Please note that payment must be received by the registration deadline; submission of the documentation alone is not sufficient.

PAYMENTS:

Bank transfer to: 

Istituto Cervantes di Roma

Banco di Credito Cooperativo di Roma

Ag. Via Savoia 12 - Roma

IBAN: IT71F0832703235000000002550

SWIFT: ROMAITRR

How will the results be communicated?

Within three months from the exam date, the head office in Madrid will send a certificate with the exam results to the email address provided by the candidate during registration: it is therefore essential to provide a valid and unique email address. 

If the candidate does not receive this communication, he/she may request it through the User Assistance Centre (CAU).

The Instituto Cervantes sends the DELE diploma and the certificate for successful candidates in PDF format by email. These documents feature a QR code and a CSV verification code.

Candidates can also download the official certificate from their personal space on the Cervantes Institute portal, after registering.

Complaints

Once the results have been published, any candidate who has failed the exam may submit a request for revision through his/her DELE personal space. Any candidate who has been found to be APTO (suitable) and who does not agree with the result obtained may request a revision of the exam through the User Assistance Centre ((CAU).

The DELE Examination Centre in Cagliari and the Cervantes Institute in Rome neither act as intermediaries nor intervene in the complaint procedure. Once the whole test has been checked again, the Cervantes Institute head office will inform the candidate of the definitive answer to his/her complaint.   

Contacts

Head of the DELE Examination Centre

Prof. Enrique Jiménez Villalonga

Tel. +39 3396163601

dele.cagliari@tiscali.it

dele.cagliari@gmail.com