What regional language levels A2 to C2 mean in adult life

Terms used

• CELGA — CELGA is Galicia's official Galician-language certificate, in five levels from CELGA 1 to CELGA 5.
• EGA — EGA is the Basque-language certificate, equal to level C1.
• JQCV — The JQCV is the Valencian authority that issues official Valencian-language certificates.
• HABE — HABE is the Basque government body that runs Basque-language courses and level certificates.

Key rules

• Everyday life: B1 is enough to handle most appointments and conversations on familiar topics.
• Working in the language: B2 lets you work in the language, write reports and deal with paperwork and complaints.
• Public jobs and teaching: These usually ask for C1, so aim there if that is your goal.
• Galicia: CELGA 4 is C1.
• Each call: Requirements vary by body and call, so read the notice for the exact level.

Which level do you need?

Aim for B1 if you want to cope with daily life. Aim for B2 if you want to work in the language. Aim for C1 if you want a public job, teaching or university-level use. C2 is rarely needed.

What each level means in practice

A2: basic. You handle shopping, directions and personal details. At work you can do simple routine tasks. With officials you will need help filling in forms. Socially, you manage small talk.

B1: independent. You understand the main points of clear, standard speech and can describe experiences and plans. At work you can follow routine meetings and write routine emails. With officials you can handle most appointments, though with some difficulty. Socially, you can hold conversations on familiar topics.

B2: working level. You understand complex texts and technical discussion in your field and talk with native speakers without strain. At work you can attend meetings and write reports. With officials you can handle paperwork and complaints. Socially, you can argue and explain your views.

C1: proficient. You understand long, demanding texts and implied meaning, and you express ideas fluently and flexibly. This suits professional and university use, and many public-sector roles.

C2: near-native. You understand virtually everything and can summarise and express fine nuance in complex situations.

How regional certificates map to these levels

• Catalonia: intermedi is B1, the old suficiència 1 is B2, suficiència is C1 and superior is C2.
• Balearic Islands: the Catalan certificates are named by level: A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
• Valencian Community: the JQCV certificates are named by level too: A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The older Mitjà is B2 and the older Superior is C1.
• Galicia: CELGA 4 is C1. The other CELGA levels run in order, from CELGA 1 at A2 to CELGA 5 at C2.
• Basque Country: EGA is C1. HABE levels run from B1 to B2 and C1.

Where the level matters

Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, the Valencian Community, Galicia, the Basque Country and the Basque-speaking zones of Navarre reward or require these certificates. They count in public employment, teaching, health service posts and university requirements, which are often B2.

• Teaching posts generally ask for C1 or equivalent. In Valencia that means JQCV C1.
• Basque public posts have language profiles from PL1 to PL4, and EGA or HABE C1 is key.
• In Galicia, CELGA 4 is widely required for civil servants, teachers and other public jobs.

Requirements differ by body and by call, so read each notice for the exact level and certificate. If your certificate is older or has been renamed, ask the issuing body whether it counts. The checklist below walks you through this.

Checklist

• Decide what you need the language for: work, dealing with officials, social life, a public job or university.

• Aim for B1 if you want to handle most appointments, routine meetings and conversations on familiar topics.

• Aim for B2 if you want to work in the language, write reports, handle paperwork and complaints, and argue your views.

• Aim for C1 if you want a public-sector role, teaching or university-level use, where demanding texts and fluent, flexible expression are needed.

• Keep C2 for cases where you need near-native command and precise nuance.

• Find the level your region's certificate matches, for example CELGA 4 is C1 in Galicia and EGA is C1 in the Basque Country.

• Read the notice of the job, exam or course you want and note the exact level and certificate it asks for.

• Ask the issuing body or the office running the call whether your certificate counts at that level.

Frequently asked questions

Which level do I need to work as a teacher in a co-official language region?

You usually need C1 or an equivalent certificate in the regional language to take a teaching post. In Valencia, teaching requires JQCV C1. Extra points for transfers and interim lists can also depend on your certificate.

Is B2 enough for university in a region with its own language?

B2 is often enough for university admission or graduation requirements in the regional language, but it depends on the university. Check the degree's own rules before you sit an exam.

Which level is the old Valencian Mitjà or Superior certificate?

The older Valencian Mitjà certificate matches B2, and the older Superior matches C1. Newer JQCV certificates carry the level directly, from A2 to C2.

What level does the Basque EGA certificate show?

The EGA shows C1, the same as the HABE C1 certificate. Public posts in the Basque Country also have linguistic profiles from PL1 to PL4, so check which profile your post asks for.