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Learning Spanish and Catalan

Why language matters in Spain and especially in bilingual Catalonia, where to learn affordably (free Catalan courses from the CPNL, official Spanish courses at the public language schools), and the official exams you may need, including DELE A2 and the CCSE test for Spanish nationality.

Checked 8 Oct 2026
Applies to
Anyone settling in Spain who does not yet speak Spanish fluently, and anyone living in Catalonia who wants to understand and use Catalan.
Effort
High effort
Time needed
Ongoing; plan several hours a week for at least a year to reach everyday fluency
Cost
Catalan courses at the initial and basic levels of the Consortium for Language Normalisation (CPNL) cost €0 (prices checked October 2026); higher levels have fees. Public language school and exam fees vary.
When
Start before you move if you can. Public language school places for new students require pre-registration within fixed periods (at EOI Barcelona-Drassanes, in September for courses starting that month).
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Free and low-cost Catalan courses (CPNL)
  3. Official Spanish courses at the public language schools
  4. Other options
  5. Official exams and Spanish nationality
  6. Watch out
  7. Common mistakes
  8. Tips
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. Official links
  11. In your plan
  12. Sources
  13. Related guides

Spanish (castellano) is the official language throughout Spain. EURES describes knowledge of Spanish as essential for working in Spain, and most administrative procedures, contracts and forms are in Spanish.

In some autonomous communities a second language is co-official. In Catalonia, Catalan (català) and Spanish are both official. Catalan is the main language of instruction at school. In Barcelona, according to the 2023 language-use survey by Idescat and the Generalitat, 91.9% of residents aged 15 and over understand Catalan, 77.7% can speak it and 26.9% use only Catalan as their usual language. Learning some Catalan helps with schools, neighbours and many jobs.

Free and low-cost Catalan courses (CPNL)

The Consortium for Language Normalisation (Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística, CPNL) runs Catalan courses for adults across Catalonia; in the city it operates as the CNL de Barcelona. Its published prices for the initial (inicial) and basic (bàsic, A2) levels are €0. Higher levels (elementary/B1, intermediate/B2 and above) have fees, with reductions for some groups. Courses are offered by level, face to face or online, and the CPNL also runs Voluntariat per la llengua, a language-exchange programme.

Official Spanish courses at the public language schools

The Official Language Schools (Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas, EOI; in Catalan Escoles Oficials d'Idiomes) are public schools run by the regional education departments. In Barcelona, EOI Barcelona-Drassanes offers Spanish for foreigners as well as Catalan and other languages. New students must pre-register in fixed periods — in September for intensive courses running from September to January and extensive courses from September to May. Passing the A2, B1, B2.2 and C1 courses gives an official certificate.

Other options

  • In Barcelona, the city's SAIER service gives newcomers information on organisations that teach languages.
  • Private language schools and universities offer intensive courses at varying prices.
  • The Instituto Cervantes organises the official DELE and CCSE exams; the CCSE is offered in ten sessions a year at more than 200 recognised centres.

Official exams and Spanish nationality

  • The Instituto Cervantes' DELE diplomas certify your level of Spanish.
  • Applicants for Spanish nationality by residence must pass the CCSE (a test of knowledge of the Constitution and of Spanish society and culture) and, unless exempt, the DELE A2 or a higher level. According to the Instituto Cervantes, nationals of Spanish-speaking countries are exempt from the DELE, but not from the CCSE; minors are exempt from both. Register for the CCSE with your NIE.
  • According to the Instituto Cervantes FAQ, an Official Language School certificate at basic (A2), intermediate (B1) or advanced (B2) level also exempts you from the DELE for nationality.

Watch out

Nationality exam rules and exemptions are decided by the Ministry of Justice; check the current rules before you register for an exam.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting until you are settled to start classes; public courses fill up and have fixed enrolment windows.
  • Assuming you must choose between Spanish and Catalan. Many newcomers in Barcelona learn Spanish first and add basic Catalan through free CPNL courses.

Tips

  • Watch local news and listen to the radio in Spanish and Catalan; it trains your ear for accents and everyday vocabulary.
  • Use your neighbourhood: greetings in shops, markets and at the CAP are low-pressure practice.
  • If you have children, learning some Catalan helps you follow school communications in Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

Editorial answers written by our team, based on the sources below.

Do I need Catalan to live in Barcelona?

Spanish is official throughout Spain, so you can carry out procedures in Spanish. Catalan is the main language of instruction at school, and most Barcelona residents understand it (91.9% according to the 2023 survey), so basic Catalan makes daily life easier.

Which exam do I need for Spanish nationality?

The CCSE and, unless you are exempt, the DELE A2 or higher. Check the Instituto Cervantes and Ministry of Justice pages for exemptions.

In your plan

  • Enrol in a Spanish or Catalan course
  • Start learning Spanish before you move
  • Start your job search
  • Plan for long-term residence or Spanish nationality

Sources

Written and checked by HomiStart editorial against the official sources below. Next scheduled check: 6 Apr 2027.

  1. Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL)Official source
    Preus – Cursos de català (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

    Initial and basic levels €0; elementary and higher levels have fees.

  2. Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL)Official source
    CNL de Barcelona (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  3. Escola Oficial d'Idiomes Barcelona-DrassanesOfficial source
    Espanyol – EOI Barcelona-Drassanes (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

    Pre-registration in September; official certificates at A2, B1, B2.2 and C1.

  4. Institut d'Estadística de Catalunya (Idescat)Official source
    Enquesta d'usos lingüístics de la població 2023. Resultats territorials (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  5. Ajuntament de Barcelona – Barcelona International WelcomeOfficial source
    The Catalan education system (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

    Catalan is the main language of instruction; no prior knowledge needed to enter school.

  6. European Commission – EURESOfficial source
    Living and working conditions – Spain (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  7. Instituto CervantesOfficial source
    ¿Quiere obtener la nacionalidad española? (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  8. Instituto CervantesOfficial source
    Preguntas frecuentes (exámenes) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

    Exemptions from DELE A2 and CCSE.

  9. Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL)Official source
    Voluntariat per la llengua (CPNL homepage) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  10. Instituto CervantesOfficial source
    Qué es la prueba CCSE (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026
  11. Ajuntament de Barcelona – Nova CiutadaniaOfficial source
    Servei d'Atenció a Immigrants, Emigrants i Refugiats (SAIER) (Opens {{site}} in a new tab)
    Accessed 8 Oct 2026

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