Basque EGA and HABE certificates and linguistic profiles explained

Key rules

• EGA level: The EGA is the Basque certificate at level C1, and the HABE C1 certificate is equivalent to it.
• Profile covered: The EGA certifies public linguistic profile PL3.
• Higher profile: PL4 needs C2, so the EGA alone is not enough for it.
• Navarre: Navarre recognises the EGA and HABE at equivalent levels but uses its own system, not Basque Country profiles.

The short version

The EGA is the Basque certificate at level C1, and the HABE C1 certificate is equivalent to it. Public linguistic profiles are the language requirements for public posts. The EGA covers the third profile, PL3. Navarre does not use these profiles. It has its own system.

What the EGA is

The Euskara Gaitasun Agiria (EGA) is the Basque Government's official certificate of Basque proficiency. HABE, the Basque Government's institute for adult literacy and Basque teaching, issues it. It certifies level C1 of the European language framework.

How HABE levels fit in

HABE certificates match four levels of the European framework: B1, B2, C1 and C2. C2 is the highest.

• The B1 and B2 certificates are recognised at their matching levels.

The Basque Government sets these equivalences by decree.

How public linguistic profiles fit in

Public posts in the Basque Country ask for a profile, not a certificate. There are four:

• PL1, roughly B1
• PL2, B2
• PL3, C1
• PL4, C2

In practice, a HABE B1 certificate matches PL1 and a HABE B2 matches PL2. A HABE C1 or the EGA matches PL3. A HABE C2 matches PL4. So if a job post asks for PL3, the EGA is enough. If it asks for PL4, you need C2.

The exact level matching for PL1 and PL2 has changed between decrees. Before you rely on it for a specific post, check the profile in the call itself or ask the body running the selection.

How Navarre differs

Navarre does not use the Basque Country's profiles. Basque is an official language only in Navarre's Basque-speaking zone. The Government of Navarre manages certification through its Basque language institute, Euskarabidea. Official Language School certificates at B1, B2, C1 and C2 are also part of the system.

Navarre recognises the EGA and HABE certificates at their equivalent levels. So your Basque Country certificate still counts there. But a PL profile is not the unit Navarre uses. If you apply for a post in Navarre, ask which level and which certificates the call accepts.

The questions below cover the most common doubts.

Frequently asked questions

Which public linguistic profile does the EGA cover?

The EGA covers profile PL3, the level asked for many public posts in the Basque Country. PL3 matches C1, and PL4 matches C2, so a PL4 post needs a higher level than the EGA.

Do HABE B1 and B2 certificates count towards public linguistic profiles?

Yes, HABE B1 and B2 certificates are recognised at their matching levels, which correspond to PL1 and PL2.

Who issues the EGA, and which level does it certify?

HABE, the Basque Government's institute for adult Basque teaching, issues the EGA. It certifies level C1 and is regulated by Basque Government decree.