In 2027 there are ten CCSE exam sessions, one a month except August and December, and registration opens on 23 November 2026. It's a 25-question test on the Spanish Constitution and Spanish society, it lasts 45 minutes and you pass with 15 correct answers. It costs €85, includes a second attempt, and the Instituto Cervantes publishes a free manual with all the questions so you can prepare.

If you're applying for Spanish citizenship by residence, the CCSE is almost certainly a test you'll have to take, even if Spanish is your first language. Here's the official 2027 calendar, how to register and how to prepare so you pass first time.

(The video is in Spanish, with subtitles available.)

What is the CCSE exam?

The CCSE is the test of constitutional and sociocultural knowledge of Spain (Conocimientos Constitucionales y Socioculturales de España). It's created by the Instituto Cervantes and assesses what you know about the Spanish Constitution and Spain's social and cultural life. Passing it is one of the legal requirements for Spanish citizenship by residence.

The key facts:

  • 25 questions across 5 tasks, multiple choice and true or false.
  • 45 minutes long.
  • You pass with 15 correct answers out of 25. The result is APTO (pass) or NO APTO (fail).
  • The certificate is valid for 4 years.
  • It costs €85, and if you fail or don't show up, a second attempt is included, at the same centre and within 6 months of the exam date.

When is the CCSE in 2027?

These are the 2027 sessions published by the Instituto Cervantes. For each one you have the registration deadline and the appointment period; the official session date is the last day of that period.

  • January: register by 7 January; appointments 14 to 28 January.
  • February: register by 4 February; appointments 11 to 25 February.
  • March: register by 25 February; appointments 4 to 18 March.
  • April: register by 8 April; appointments 15 to 29 April.
  • May: register by 6 May; appointments 13 to 27 May.
  • June: register by 3 June; appointments 10 to 24 June.
  • July: register by 8 July; appointments 15 to 29 July.
  • September: register by 9 September; appointments 16 to 30 September.
  • October: register by 7 October; appointments 14 to 28 October.
  • November: register by 4 November; appointments 11 to 25 November.

There's no session in August or December. Your exam centre will confirm the exact day and time of your test.

And what's left of 2026? The last session of the year is on 26 November 2026, and its registration closed on 5 November.

How do I register for the CCSE?

You register on the Instituto Cervantes online shop, with the same account used for the DELE. Registration for the 2027 sessions opens on 23 November 2026.

  • Always use the same email address: everything about your exam goes there.
  • Copy your details exactly as they appear on your ID document, letter by letter.
  • Don't leave it until the last day: centres have limited places.

If it's your first time on the Cervantes shop, I explain how to create your account and log in in DELE registration: step-by-step guide: the account process is the same.

Who has to take the CCSE?

Almost everyone applying for citizenship by residence, including people whose first language is Spanish. Minors and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court are exempt.

Note the difference with the DELE A2: nationals by origin of Spanish-speaking countries don't have to take the DELE A2, but they do have to take the CCSE. It's all explained in CCSE and DELE A2: the two Spanish nationality exams.

How do I prepare for the CCSE?

The Instituto Cervantes gives you the two resources you need, and they're free:

  1. The official preparation manual. The 2026 edition contains 300 questions across the five exam tasks, with the answers at the end: Task 1, government, legislation and civic participation (120 questions); Task 2, fundamental rights and duties (36); Task 3, territorial organisation and geography (24); Task 4, culture and history (36); and Task 5, Spanish society (84). You can download it from the official CCSE page. It's in Spanish, like the exam.
  2. The official “CCSE Nacionalidad Española” app, free on Google Play and the App Store, to practise on your phone.

My advice for organising your study:

  • Start with Task 1: it has the most questions in the manual.
  • Do one block of questions a day and check it with the answers. Write down the ones you get wrong and review them the next day.
  • Read every question carefully: in the true-or-false ones, a single word can change the answer.
  • In the last week, do sets of 25 questions in 45 minutes, like in the exam.

And something people don't mention much: the CCSE is in Spanish. If your Spanish is still basic, preparing for the DELE A2 will also help you understand the CCSE questions.

In what order should I take the CCSE and the DELE A2?

There's no required order: you can take either one first. What's worth keeping in mind is that the CCSE certificate is valid for 4 years while the DELE never expires, and both are requirements for your application. I help you plan it in DELE A2 and CCSE for Spanish citizenship: dates and order.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CCSE cost in 2027?

The CCSE costs €85, with the second attempt included. If you want the total cost of the citizenship process, it's all added up in How much does Spanish citizenship cost?

What happens if I fail the CCSE?

You have a second attempt included in the price. You must take it at the same centre and within 6 months of the exam date.

How long is the CCSE certificate valid?

Four years. The DELE diploma, on the other hand, never expires.

Do the CCSE questions change every year?

The Instituto Cervantes updates the preparation manual. Always prepare with the latest version published on the official CCSE page.

Can I take the CCSE outside Spain?

Yes, there are CCSE exam centres in other countries. Look for the centres and sessions in your city on the Instituto Cervantes shop.

In short

  • CCSE 2027: ten sessions, January to November, none in August or December.
  • Registration for 2027 opens on 23 November 2026, on the Instituto Cervantes shop.
  • 25 questions, 45 minutes, pass with 15 correct answers.
  • €85, with a second attempt included; the certificate is valid for 4 years.
  • Prepare with the free official manual (300 questions) and the official app.

If you also need the DELE A2, my online DELE A2 course gives you strategies for every paper, commented examples, a community, a Q&A chat and group calls. And if you'd like reminders before every registration deadline, join the newsletter 💌.

¡A por tu nacionalidad! 🇪🇸