Certain countries across Europe demand foreign citizens pass a language test to qualify for certain residency permits. But how does each country compare and what level of language do they require?
Sweden
Sweden doesn’t currently have any language requirements linked to residency rights but this may soon change.
The government is currently carrying out an inquiry on a proposal that would require permanent residence applicants to prove basic Swedish proficiency, meaning that adults seeking permanent residency from 2027 will need to pass tests on Swedish language and society first.
Under the proposal, applicants would have to pass a test certifying that they can read, write, listen, and speak at an A1/A2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
In the Swedish government’s free language classes, known as Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), this corresponds to passing course C, the third of four levels.
There are no language requirements for other short-term residence permits in Sweden, including study permits and work permits.
Spain
Spain doesn’t have any language level requirements to obtain residency, and there is no evidence that this is or has ever been considered.
The country does however expect foreigners applying for Spanish citizenship to prove some command of the Spanish language by obtaining an A2 DELE qualification (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera) if they’re not originally from a Spanish speaking country.
The A2 level is still fairly basic however, it’s the second lowest and equates to being a high-level beginner capable of understanding and putting together everyday sentences.
There’s also a language requirement for foreigners from non-Spanish speaking countries who want to have their qualifications recognised to work in regulated professions in Spain (homologación) – a B2 – equal to a high intermediate.
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Germany
Germany requires people to have a certain standard of the language to gain permanent residency (Niederlassungserlaubnis / unbefristete Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
When it comes to language skills, the current rules require German at level B1 on the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
This involves taking a test at a language school recognised by authorities. The test includes reading, listening, writing and spoken sections. B1 level on the CEFR scale is defined as being able to “understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.”
Other short-term residency permits, such as Blue Card holders or for specialist highly-skilled workers, have the less stringent language requirement of A1 level, sometimes referred to in the residency regulations as a ‘basic knowledge’ of German.
READ ALSO: ‘You need patience’ – What it’s like to get a residence permit in Germany
France
The French government recently updated language requirements for residency cards as part of a wider move to tighten residency and citizenship rights in the country.
From January 1st, 2026, anyone making their first application for a carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year card, max duration of four years) will now need to demonstrate a French level of at least A2 according to the DELF/ CERL international language scale.
Those making their first application for a 10-year carte de résident (in most cases, available after five years of consecutive residency) will need to demonstrate at least B1 level in French – an increase from the previous requirement of A2.
Meanwhile applicants for French citizenship (through either residency or marriage) now need to demonstrate B2 level French, as opposed to B1 level previously.
Similarly, applications for the two long-term residency cards mentioned above, as well as citizenship, applicants have to take a written test on French history, politics and civics.
This must be taken at the candidate’s own expense, with the test costing around €70, depending on the area.
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Switzerland
In Switzerland, the level of language proficiency differs depending on the type of residency permission you want: residency permit, permanent residency or Swiss citizenship.
Fortunately for new arrivals, you do not need to show Swiss language proficiency to get a standard residency permit. Generally speaking, those on short-term residency permits – such as B Permits and L Permits – are not required to show proficiency in a national language.
There are some exceptions – for instance people on family reunification permits – however by and large people who have just arrived in Switzerland for work do not need to demonstrate language proficiency.
Permanent residents however will need to demonstrate language proficiency.
For ordinary permanent residency – which is granted after an uninterrupted stay of five years or ten years in total – you need to demonstrate A2 level of a spoken Swiss language and A1 written.
Citizens of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain are exempt from these language requirements.
For fast-tracked permanent residency, the language level is a little higher. You must demonstrate A1 written but B1 spoken.
There are also exceptions for people who can demonstrate they have a Swiss language as their mother tongue, or that they have attended compulsory schooling for a minimum of three years in a Swiss language.
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Italy
For most types of short-term Italian residency permit, applicants are not required to sit a language test.
But if you’re a non-EU citizen applying for a permesso di soggiorno per soggiornanti di lungo periodo (long-stay residency permit) based on being resident for five years or more, there is a requirement to prove at least A2 level competency in Italian.
The A2 level is still fairly basic: it’s the second-lowest on the the six-level scale of competence laid down in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), and equates to being a higher-level beginner able to understand and put together simple sentences.
If you fail, according to the interior ministry’s guidelines, you can reapply via the same portal no sooner than 90 days after taking the first exam – which gives you plenty of time to brush up on your Italian.
There are several exemptions, notably for children under 14 and those with significant illnesses or disabilities that prevent them from learning the language.
Those with a lower or upper secondary school diploma from the Italian education system or adult education centre, as well as those attending state or non-state Italian university, or studying for a doctorate or a university master’s degree in Italy, can also be exempted from the language test for residency.
Austria
Austria has language requirements for many of its residence permits and German knowledge is expected to increase as people move through Austria’s integration system and, in some cases, apply for longer-term residence titles.
There is no language requirement for the most common work-based permit, the Red-White-Red card, though. However, there is a point-based system to be able to apply for the permit and knowing German or English will give the candidates points – how many and for what level will depend on which group they belong to.
For example, “very highly qualified workers” will get ten points if they speak German or English at an A2 level. But “skilled workers at shortage occupations” can get 15 points if they can prove German knowledge at a B1 level (ten points for A2 and five for A1) and another ten for English at a B1 level.
The Red-White-Red Card is issued for 24 months and entitles the holder to fixed-term settlement and employment by the employer specified in the application.
After that, holders can generally apply for a Red-White-Red Card plus if they have been employed for at least 21 of the previous 24 months under the relevant conditions. The Red-White-Red Card plus is also used in some family reunification cases, including for family members of Red-White-Red Card holders.
In many cases, including for spouses of Austrian citizens, but not usually for family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights, there is a language requirement of A1 level German even before immigration. There are important exceptions, including for family members of holders of a Red-White-Red Card for highly qualified individuals, an EU Blue Card, or a residence permit for researchers.
Under Austria’s Integration Agreement, Module 1 corresponds to A2 German and Module 2 to B1 German. B1 is mainly relevant for the “Long-term Resident – EU” title and is generally also the minimum level for citizenship. The grant of a Red-White-Red Card itself is considered completion of Module 1.
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Norway
Back in September 2025, the Norwegian government increased the required level of oral Norwegian proficiency for permanent residence applicants.
Under the new rules, applicants for permanent residency must pass an oral Norwegian test at level A2 or higher, replacing the previous A1 requirement.
The language levels refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). At level A2, individuals can understand simple everyday language, express themselves on personal and basic topics such as family, and manage simple conversations.
However, the new requirements include exemptions for those with special circumstances related to health or personal reasons. This particularly applies to adult immigrants with limited or no formal education, elderly people, and individuals with low literacy skills.
Applicants are still required to pass the social studies test, but they are no longer obligated to submit documentation of having completed a course. The legislation mandates a passed test taken in a language the applicant understands.
READ ALSO: Q&A – What’s Norway’s stricter language requirement for permanent residency?
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Denmark
Denmark requires people who are granted residence based on family reunification to pass a language test.
This only applies to family reunified spouses (and not, for example, children) and unlike with family reunification, profession-based residence and work permits in Denmark do not have a language requirement.
People granted residency on the grounds of family reunification are normally required to pass two tests in Danish, meeting the A1 and then A2 standards.
The A1 level test must be passed within six months of being granted a residence permit in Denmark, and the A2 level test within nine months.
Passing the language tests reduces the so-called ‘bank guarantee’ (bankgarantien), a sum of money which must be provided by the spouse as security against the granting of their partner’s work permit. More detail on this can be found here.
As of 2026, the spouse would need to deposit 61,709.34 Danish kroner.
In certain circumstances, the guarantee can be reduced or removed altogether. Read more about the bankgarantien and how passing the language tests can reduce it here.
