Defeat a Major Obstacle on the Way to Citizenship and Pass the Language Test

Cyprus recently changed its naturalization law and made it easier for many to obtain citizenship faster than ever. European countries, like Portugal, Hungary, and others, either have or are about to define similar requirements for those who wish to become legal citizens of that country. As for the US and the rest of the English-speaking world, it has been unthinkable to try to get citizenship without having a complete grasp of the language for a while.

At this point, learning a language is not for fun. It can literally change your life and the future of your family. So this matter must be taken very seriously.

In theory, you can learn the basics during your stay in the country before taking the test. In Cyprus, to be eligible to apply for citizenship, you need to reside within the borders for at least four years, and during the last 12 months, you’re not allowed to leave the country at all. Anyway, it is safe to assume that you’ll learn some Greek during that time. But it depends. If you work in English-speaking surroundings, run an online business, and mostly communicate with people from your own country, you won’t make any progress, and you won’t be ready for the test.

Things are even trickier if you’re about to apply to get citizenship in a country you don’t reside in. In that case, you may have no contact with that language and culture, meaning you need to learn twice as much as the person who gets a chance to immerse in the language.

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about and how it’s possible to get citizenship without spending some time in the country—it is possible. But only in some countries. For example, Hungary has been approving citizenship to people with roots in historically Hungarian territories, regardless of their current residence, for quite a while. I used that chance and obtained citizenship. It took me a year to learn the language, and it was totally worth it.

Why do we need to learn a local language to get citizenship?

In case you’ve been wondering why we need to pass a proficiency test to get citizenship, the answer is that it has a lot to do with us showing the willingness to immerse in the local culture.

Historically, in Europe, the idea of a nation has been closely tied to a single language, a concept known as “linguistic nationalism.” This means that countries often see speaking the national language as a sign of being part of the nation.

In the past, large empires like the Habsburg Empire were multilingual, but modern nations have often focused on one language to create a sense of unity. Nations are imagined communities where people feel connected by sharing the same language and culture. To be a part of this community, understanding and speaking the national language becomes crucial. This is where language tests come into play during the citizenship process.

These language tests are used to measure how well people who want to become citizens can speak the country’s main language. The tests usually happen during the interview for becoming a citizen. They are not just about language skills; they are also about how countries think about national identity and belonging. Different countries have different rules for these tests, based on their own ideas of what makes someone a part of their nation.

The problem is that many of these tests don’t match up with modern ideas about what it means to be a citizen or with new research on languages and how people use more than one language.

How language proficiency tests look like in different countries

Language test requirements for naturalization and citizenship in various countries differ.

🇨🇾 For example, Cyprus has revised its citizenship rules for foreign workers, shortening the naturalization period from the previous seven years to four or five years, depending on Greek language proficiency. Requirements include a year of continuous residency, Greek language skills at level A2 or B1, a clean criminal record, a stable income of at least €2,500, suitable accommodation, and high academic and professional qualifications. The process aims to be completed within four months.

🇩🇪 Applicants for German citizenship must pass a B1 level German language test. This is the third level out of six in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), indicating an intermediate proficiency.

🇺🇸 The U.S. requires applicants for citizenship to pass an English language test, which includes speaking, reading, and writing simple English sentences. The assessment is part of the naturalization test and is conducted during the eligibility interview​​​​.

🇬🇧 To settle in the UK or apply for citizenship, applicants 18 or over must prove their knowledge of English. This can be done by having an English qualification at B1, B2, C1, or C2 level or a degree taught or researched in English​.

🇵🇹 Applicants for Portuguese citizenship must pass the CIPLE test, which evaluates basic understanding of Portuguese at the A2 level. This test is required for citizenship or permanent residency but not for temporary residency​.

🇸🇪 In Sweden, starting in 2025, applicants will need to pass a language test and a societal knowledge test. The language requirement can be fulfilled by completing the highest level of the Swedish language course for immigrants (SFI Course D) or the Tisus test, which is also used for university admission​.

🇫🇷 Applicants for French naturalization must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in French at least equal to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)​.

🇪🇸 In Spain, applicants must pass two tests: the DELE A2, which assesses Spanish language skills, and the CCSE, a test of knowledge about Spain. The DELE A2 exam certifies a sufficient level of Spanish for clear communication, while the CCSE consists of 25 questions (true/false and multiple-choice) and requires a minimum of 60% correct to pass​​​​​​​​​​​.

🇨🇦 In Canada, applicants aged 18 to 54 must show adequate speaking and listening skills in English or French, equivalent to level 4 in Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC)​.

🇦🇺 Applicants for Australian citizenship must pass the Australian citizenship test and demonstrate sufficient English language skills. The specific language level required is not specified, but applicants are generally expected to have basic English proficiency.

🇭🇺 And, my favorite, Hungary. If applying for citizenship based on Hungarian ancestry, you need a basic knowledge of Hungarian. The application must be presented in Hungarian, and the officer or consul will communicate with you in Hungarian. Conversational Hungarian is sufficient for this process.

Why are language proficiency tests controversial?

The approach that requires a high knowledge of a language to get citizenship is often criticized. Tests aim to check how well people speak a language when they want to become citizens of a new country. Some people think these tests are not really based on good research and aren’t fair. The tests don’t always show if someone can really take part in the country’s life or politics. Even if the tests were easier, they might still be too hard for some people.

The truth is that we don’t need to speak the main language perfectly to join in politics or community life, but it certainly helps. Either way, we don’t have much choice, and learning a language is a good way to preserve our grey cells. So, let’s get to business!

The pros and cons of taking the test

Let’s start with the cons. Some people think it’s not fair that we have to learn the language and go through the assessment. Personally, I don’t feel like that at all. I’ve always seen it as a chance. You can either wait for eternity to get citizenship—or you can learn the language and take a shortcut.

The pros, of course, include getting citizenship. But that’s not all. It is important to become fluent in the language of the country you’re living in. That allows you to integrate fully and raise the quality of your daily life. Just imagine being able to talk to your neighbors, ask for something at a store, and get access to more job opportunities. Learning the local language gives you a sense of belonging and makes you feel at home. It’s invaluable.

It is good to keep in mind that studying for the test is not just the preparation for a one-time event. It is also a preparation for a better quality of life in the new country.

Learn from others’ experiences to pass the language proficiency test

Like always in life, knowing your enemy is a must. To truly prepare for the language test, you need specific information that only someone who’s been through the same can share. But do you know someone who successfully passed a language proficiency test and got citizenship? No worries, now you know—me.

It’s been a while, but I still remember the Oath of Allegiance in the Hungarian Embassy in Belgrade—and every step in the way that took me there. And I want to share it with you. It is not a lovely story, but you might find it useful.

What I learned while taking a language proficiency test

I purposefully said “while taking a test” and not “while preparing” or learning. That’s because, on that day, I faced things I wasn’t fully ready for and experienced lots of stress that I didn’t have to. I passed, but I felt I could fail. I was very lucky that day, but I always wanted to rely on my knowledge and not luck.

But all the hours I spent studying grammar, reading textbooks, and memorizing vocabulary for over a year could easily prove worthless. Honestly, I was this close to failing. If I were to go through that again, I would do everything differently.

A couple I wish someone had told me in advance, are as follows.

The test begins before it begins

The test, in my case, was a verbal assessment. I had a half-hour conversation with a consul about my life, job, and family. Scheduling this interview was daunting, especially when the assertive voice on the phone shattered my confidence. At the embassy, a complex question from an officer over the intercom initially stumped me (a quick tip: never assume they would ask you, “What’s your name?” instead, expect something like: “Can I request you to provide your name once more for clarification purposes?”), but I managed to get through. The interview with the consul was formal and straightforward, yet I struggled to recite my phone number in Hungarian. Despite feeling unprepared, I passed, but I was on the edge, and I felt I could fail.

A language assessment for the purpose of obtaining citizenship is not a school exam. It is much different. The goals are different, and the stakes are much higher. Also—they don’t care if you know how to use some complex grammar form or how many words you know. You should be able to communicate fluently and effectively. Period.

Now, the advice I needed back then.

Define the target and study more effectively

When I started learning Hungarian, the official requirement was to have a basic proficiency and be able to communicate. However, the term “basic proficiency” is something that I misunderstood. My knowledge of grammar and reading comprehension were certainly above “basic.” If I were to take a test of Hungarian as a foreign language at school, I would do well. But I wasn’t ready for this test.

It turned out the “basic” level actually meant I could have been a semi-literate person from a household in which Hungarian is regularly spoken, and I would pass without trouble. Most things I learned were useless. All that I didn’t know was extremely important. Instead of all those books... You got the point.

Work on communication and listening skills more than on grammar

Back then, my grandma (Hungarian) was alive, and so was her sister (obviously Hungarian). I spoke Serbian to both and relied on my textbooks to learn Hungarian. What a horrible decision.

Also, if I were back at the beginning, I would focus on listening material and then speaking practice. I would never touch a book that wasn’t accompanied by audio recordings. But that would still not be good enough. I desperately needed someone to talk to.

I couldn’t find a good course, so I found a Skype teacher. He was nice, but he didn’t help me a lot. I didn’t like to have someone hear me struggle to speak. And I didn’t like the way he explained stuff to me. I had an impression that I was wasting time and money. So I returned to my books.

Find a tutor you’re comfortable talking to

This one is critical. My decision to just stop with the lessons seemed rational because they didn’t work for me. But I actually only needed to change the tutor.

Unfortunately, that was before LiveXP was founded. If it were and if I had a LiveXP account back then, I would spend time, as long as it takes, to watch video introductions of various tutors, shortlist a couple, and have a conversation with one or two I like the most. If it didn’t work, I would go to someone else on the platform—a piece of cake.

We’re all different, and we need tutors who know how to work with people like us. Someone like-minded, experienced just enough, and able to follow our dynamics. That’s why anyone can find a perfect tutor on LiveXP.

It takes time to get to that level and feel comfortable talking to a consul

If you think that you’re going to apply for citizenship someday but not yet, and you feel like you have plenty of time—start preparing now, anyway. A language is not something you can learn fast under pressure. You should follow natural dynamics and take your time to internalize the language. But learning at your pace is a luxury, so start on time.