Spanish classes for refugees, asylum seekers and temporary protection

Terms used

• CEPA — The CEPA is a public adult education school that offers free or low-cost courses, including Spanish.
• EOI — The EOI is an official language school, run by the regional government.
• DELE — The DELE is an official exam certifying your level of Spanish.
• CCSE — The CCSE is the exam on Spanish constitutional and sociocultural knowledge.

Key rules

• Reception system: Spanish classes are part of the programme if you are in the state reception system.
• How to apply: Ask your centre or NGO social worker, who will place you in a class or refer you outside.
• Ukrainians: With temporary protection you can use reception NGOs, municipal courses and CEPAs, often free or low cost.
• Local offer: Hours and levels differ by NGO, centre, town and region.

What you get

If you are in the state reception system, Spanish classes are part of your programme. You do not pay for them separately. They run in every phase, and they are usually most intensive in the first phase.

The classes cover:

• Spanish for daily life.
• Reading and writing, if you need to start from literacy.
• For some people, preparation for the A2 DELE and CCSE tests. These are the language and Spanish-knowledge exams that some later procedures ask for.

Levels run from literacy and A1 up to B1. The number of hours depends on your level and on the project you are in. Classes come together with social, work and cultural orientation.

Who can join

You can join if you are an asylum seeker or a person with international protection in the state reception system. The system is run through NGOs such as Cruz Roja, Accem and CEAR. This route is not for other migrants who are outside the system.

How to get a place

1. Talk to the social worker at your reception centre or NGO.
2. After an initial assessment, you are either placed in the classes given in the centre or sent to an outside course.
3. Outside courses can be at a local adult school (CEPA), an official language school (EOI) or an NGO.

Ask early. Hours and content differ between NGOs and centres, so ask what your centre offers.

After you get refugee status

If you are recognised as a refugee or get subsidiary protection, you can usually stay in the later phases of the programme. Classes continue there. If you leave the programme, a CEPA or a municipal course is the usual next step.

If you have temporary protection from Ukraine

You can use the same routes. Classes are free or low cost through:

• The reception system and its NGOs.
• NGO courses.
• Municipal courses.
• Public adult schools (CEPA).

Some regions and cities run courses just for Ukrainians. EOIs that teach Spanish in your region accept holders of the protection document.

To start, ask your reception NGO social worker or your town hall's immigration or social services office. You can also enrol directly at a CEPA.

The questions below answer the most common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

What levels of Spanish can I reach in the reception programme?

The programme's classes run from literacy and A1 up to B1, depending on your level and the project. Some people also get help preparing for the A2 DELE and CCSE tests.

How do I get into Spanish classes if I am in the reception system?

You get in through your assigned reception centre or your NGO social worker. After an initial assessment, you are placed in the classes at the centre or referred to a local adult school (CEPA), an official language school (EOI) or an NGO course.

Can I keep having classes after I get refugee status?

Yes, people with refugee status or subsidiary protection can usually stay in the programme's later phases, and classes are part of them. Ask your social worker how long you can stay in your case.

Where can Ukrainians with temporary protection find Spanish classes?

Ukrainians with temporary protection can use free or low-cost classes through reception NGOs, municipal courses and public adult schools (CEPA). Some regions and cities run dedicated courses. Ask your NGO social worker or your town hall's immigration or social services office, or enrol directly at a CEPA.