In Spain, the basics of Spanish citizenship by residence cost €327.05: €138 for the DELE A2 (official 2026 price), €85 for the CCSE and €104.05 for the application fee (form 790, code 026). On top of that come the costs that depend on your situation, such as translations or legalisation of documents, plus whatever you spend if you have to resit an exam.

Amounts checked on 5 October 2026 on the Instituto Cervantes and Spanish Ministry of Justice websites.

How much does the DELE A2 cost?

In Spain, the DELE A2 costs €138 according to the Instituto Cervantes' official 2026 price table. It's the same price at every centre in Spain. The 2027 prices haven't been published yet, so if you register for 2027, the price that counts is the one the Instituto Cervantes shop shows you at checkout.

If you take the exam outside Spain, the price is the one the official table sets for that country, in its currency.

Remember that what you need is the DELE A2 “or higher”: you can submit a B1 or B2 if you already have one, but if you're only sitting an exam for citizenship, the A2 is the cheapest option that counts.

How much does the CCSE cost?

The CCSE costs €85 worldwide. According to the Instituto Cervantes, that price includes the exam fee, the results certificate and access to the preparation materials, including the test handbook.

And it has an advantage the DELE doesn't: your registration entitles you to sit the test up to twice. If you fail or don't turn up the first time, you don't pay again for the second attempt.

How much is the citizenship application fee?

The application for citizenship by residence is subject to a fee paid with form 790, code 026. According to the Spanish Ministry of Justice, the current amount is €104.05, and it may be updated in line with the State Budget Acts. Check the figure when you generate the form.

How much does Spanish citizenship cost in total?

Adding up the three fixed payments, if you sit the exams in Spain:

  • DELE A2: €138 (2026 price)
  • CCSE: €85
  • Fee 790-026: €104.05
  • Total: €327.05

That's the minimum if you pass both exams first time and don't need any other paid procedure.

Who doesn't have to pay some of these?

Not everyone has to take both exams. According to the Instituto Cervantes, exempt from the DELE are:

  • Nationals of Spanish-speaking countries or territories, as long as it's their nationality of origin.
  • Under-18s.
  • People whose legal capacity has been modified by a court.
  • Anyone who already holds a DELE A2 or higher.
  • Anyone with an A2, B1 or B2 certificate from a Spanish Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (official language school).

In addition, people who completed compulsory secondary education (ESO) in Spain may be excused if they can prove it and the Ministry of Justice agrees.

Exempt from the CCSE are minors and people whose legal capacity has been modified by a court.

I explain all this in CCSE and DELE A2: the two Spanish nationality exams.

What happens if you fail?

This is where the budget can shoot up, and it's almost always because of the DELE:

  • If you fail the DELE A2, you pay the full registration fee again to resit (€138 with 2026 prices). The DELE doesn't carry over the papers you passed from one session to the next.
  • If you ask for a review of your DELE marks, it costs 60 % of the exam price: €82.80 for the A2. That amount is refunded if the review changes your result to APTO (pass).
  • If you fail the CCSE, the second attempt is included. You must take it at the same centre and within a maximum of 6 months from the exam date.

And if you register for either exam and then can't make it, you have 14 calendar days from registration to request a refund.

What other costs might come up?

Some costs depend on your country and your circumstances, so there's no fixed figure: for example, sworn translations or the legalisation of documents from your home country, or an agency or lawyer if you decide to have someone handle the process for you. Find out which ones apply to you before you do your sums.

Frequently asked questions

Does the DELE A2 cost the same at every centre?

In Spain, yes: €138 in 2026 at any centre. Outside Spain, the price depends on the country.

How much will the DELE A2 cost in 2027?

We don't know yet: the Instituto Cervantes hasn't published the 2027 table. Registration for the 2027 sessions opens on 18 November 2026, and you'll find the dates in DELE exam dates 2027.

Do I have to pay for the CCSE again if I fail?

No. The first time you fail or don't turn up, the second attempt is included in the €85.

Can I skip the DELE if I already have another Spanish qualification?

Only if it's one of those covered by the exemption: a DELE A2 or higher, or an A2, B1 or B2 certificate from an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas. Other qualifications aren't on the official list.

In short

  • DELE A2: €138 in Spain (2026 price; the 2027 price hasn't been published yet).
  • CCSE: €85, with two attempts included.
  • Application fee (form 790-026): €104.05, according to the Ministry of Justice.
  • Basic total: €327.05 if you pass everything first time.
  • Resitting the DELE A2 means paying the full fee again; it's what makes the process more expensive.
  • There are exemptions for the DELE and the CCSE that can save you one of the payments.

The most reliable way to avoid paying for the DELE A2 twice is to walk in knowing what each task asks of you. My online DELE A2 course gives you strategies for each paper, commented examples, a community, a questions chat and group calls, and to practise on paper there's my DELE A2 book with 4 exam models. If you're not sure you're at A2 yet, take the free level test, and if you'd like a heads-up before each session, join the newsletter 💌.

¡A por el DELE! 🇪🇸