Language Requirements for Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Germany
People assume moving to Europe is just about getting a visa, but if you want to stay long-term or become a citizen, most countries expect you to learn the language at a basic or intermediate level. The table below gives you a quick overview of what's required, using CEFR levels (A1 to C2), the standard used across Europe.
Some countries are stricter than others, and the requirements often change depending on whether you're applying for permanent residency or full citizenship. I've linked to the official government websites for each country in case guidance changes over the years and this table gets out of date. Here's a breakdown:
| Country | PR Requirement | Citizenship* Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Varied | A2 |
| Spain | None | A2 |
| Denmark | Danish Test 2 or 3** | Danish Test 3 |
| Norway | Oral A2 | Oral B1 |
| Luxembourg | None | Varied*** |
| Switzerland | Oral A2/Written A1 (B1/A1 fast-track) | Oral B1/Written A2 |
| France | A2 | B1 |
| Germany | B1 | B1 |
*This table assumes you're a foreign-born expatriate that qualifies for naturalization. Many European countries have asylum or other exceptions to grant citizenship.
**Danish Test Level 2 roughly maps to A2-B1. Level 3 roughly maps to B2-C1.
***Ranges depending on length of stay in country.
If you're planning to move to Europe long-term, this is one of the first things you should check. Many countries won't give you long-term status without proving some level of language ability and knowledge of the local culture/customs. For example, in Spain, the Instituto Cervantes requires both a language and a general culture exam.