What is the DELE A1 and what is it for? — Complete Guide 2026

Updated in June 2026 · 10 min reading

What is the DELE A1?

The DELE A1 is the first level of the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language, issued by the Instituto Cervantes. It certifies that you can communicate in a very basic way: introduce yourself, give and ask for simple personal information, and manage basic interactions.

The A1 level corresponds to the "basic user — access level" according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). It is the official starting point for certifying your Spanish.

What is the DELE A1 for?

Certifying your first level of Spanish

The DELE A1 is ideal if you have just started studying Spanish and want a specific and measurable goal. It gives you the satisfaction of an official diploma after your first months of study.

Motivation to keep progressing

Many students use the A1 as the first milestone before preparing for the A2 (necessary for Spanish nationality). It is an intermediate step that familiarizes you with the DELE exam format.

Academic requirements

Some exchange programs, scholarships, or preparatory courses accept the DELE A1 as proof of basic level Spanish.

Professional curriculum

Although an A1 does not demonstrate fluency, in some sectors (tourism, international customer service) having an official Spanish certificate is a distinguishing plus compared to candidates without accreditation.

Important note: The DELE A1 is NOT sufficient to apply for Spanish nationality. For that, you need at least the DELE A2.

Structure of the DELE A1 exam

Group 1: Comprehension

Test 1 — Reading comprehension (45 minutes)

4 tasks with 25 questions. Very short texts: posters, forms, notes, 2-3 line emails, simple announcements. You must identify very specific information (a name, a schedule, a place).

Test 2 — Listening comprehension (20 minutes)

4 tasks with 25 questions. Very brief and slow audios: phone numbers, addresses, schedules, personal introductions. Each audio is played twice.

Group 2: Expression

Test 3 — Written expression and interaction (25 minutes)

2 tasks: fill out a form with personal data and write a very short message (30-40 words). The topics are basic: your name, address, age, family, a message to a classmate.

Test 4 — Oral expression and interaction (10 minutes + 10 for preparation)

4 very basic tasks: introduce yourself (name, country, age, job), describe a photo with simple sentences, a guided dialogue (questions-answers with a card), and a conversation about your immediate environment.

Scoring system

Like all DELE levels: two groups of 50 points each. You need a minimum of 30 points (60%) in each group to pass. If you fail one group, you must retake the entire exam.

How many hours of study do I need?

The CEFR estimates between 80 and 100 hours of study to reach level A1. With regular classes (3-4 hours a week), this amounts to about 5-6 months. With daily intensive study, you can achieve it in 6-8 weeks.

Grammar you need for the DELE A1

• Present indicative (regular and frequent irregulars)
• Articles (el/la/los/las, un/una/unos/unas)
• Gender and number of nouns and adjectives
• Personal pronouns (yo, tú, él/ella...)
• Hay / está / están (existence and location)
• Possessives (mi, tu, su)
• Demonstratives (este, esta, estos)
• Interrogatives (qué, quién, dónde, cuándo, cómo, cuánto)
• Numbers from 1 to 100
• Gustar (me gusta / no me gusta)

Dates and price in 2026

The exam dates are the same as for other levels (February, April, May, July, October, November). The price in Spain is around €112 for the A1. In other countries, it varies depending on the examination center.

Difference between DELE A1 and DELE A2

The A1 is survival communication: greetings, personal data, asking for very basic things. The A2 adds past tenses (preterite), future plans, describing experiences, and maintaining simple conversations. The jump is significant but achievable in an additional 2-3 months of study.