Learning Basque or Galician free or cheaply after you move

Terms used

• Euskaltegi — A euskaltegi is a school for adults learning Basque, which may be private, public or run by a town hall.
• HABE — HABE is the Basque Government's institute for teaching Basque to adults, which supports and funds recognised euskaltegis.
• EOI — The EOI (Escuela Oficial de Idiomas) is a public language school offering low-cost courses and official level certificates.
• CELGA — CELGA is the set of exams that certify your level of Galician.

Key rules

• Basque: Look for a HABE-recognised euskaltegi, where subsidies lower what you pay.
• Galician: Your town hall or the Xunta's language services are the first place to ask about free or cheap courses.
• Fees: Fees and subsidies vary by area, provider and level, so get the current figure before you pay.
• Navarre: For Basque in Navarre, use the Navarre Government's Basque institute rather than HABE's finder.

Subsidy shares and fees change by year, level and provider, so confirm current figures with HABE, the euskaltegi or the Galician provider before enrolling.

Where Basque and Galician are taught

Basque is learned mainly through euskaltegis, supported by HABE. Galician is learned mainly through the Galician language services, EOIs and universities. In both cases, subsidies reduce the fees. What is on offer, and what you pay, varies by area, so start with your own town.

Learning Basque

A euskaltegi is an adult Basque school. Some are private, some public, some run by the town hall. Many are linked to HABE, the Basque Government's institute for adult Basque teaching, or to the Navarre Government. AEK and IKA are the two main networks.

• Basque Country: HABE's website has a euskaltegi finder. Use it to find the nearest centre.
• Navarre: the Navarre Government's Basque institute, Euskarabidea, lists centres there.
• EOIs: the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas offers Basque at higher levels.
• Your town hall: many municipalities run their own euskaltegi.

What it costs

HABE pays subsidies to recognised euskaltegis, so you pay less than the full cost per hour. Students who attend regularly and pass the course can also get part of the fee back. The share depends on your level and the year. Ask HABE or the euskaltegi for the current percentages and your final fee before you enrol.

Learning Galician

Several bodies teach adult Galician:

• The Xunta de Galicia's language services, through its Servizos de Normalización Lingüística. They support free or heavily subsidised courses through town councils and local language teams.
• Escolas Oficiais de Idiomas, which have some Galician courses.
• The universities of Santiago, A Coruña and Vigo, through their language services. Their courses for people who are not students are paid.
• Municipal normalisation offices at your town hall.
• Free online resources, if you want to start before you find a class.

Fees depend on the provider and the level. Ask the provider for the current fee.

Proving your level

CELGA exams certify your level of Galician. Check with the provider which level your course prepares you for.

Before you enrol

Compare a free town-hall course with a paid university one before you pay. The checklist below lists what to ask, and the FAQ answers common questions.

Questions to ask before enrolling in a regional language course

Questions to ask before enrolling

• Find your regional language body and your nearest centre: an euskaltegi through HABE or AEK in the Basque Country, or the Equipos de Normalización of the Secretaría Xeral de Política Lingüística in Galicia.

• Ask your town hall (ayuntamiento), the public adult education centre (CEPA) and the Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) whether they run or subsidise courses.

• Ask when the enrolment window opens and closes for the term you want, and whether intensive summer courses have a separate period.

• Ask whether you qualify as a newcomer: whether the course needs legal residency, and whether subsidised places give priority to people registered in the town (empadronamiento).

• Ask about the level test: usually a short written test, often online, plus a brief oral interview. Absolute beginners can usually enrol directly at the first level.

• Ask which level the course covers, and how many hours it lasts in total and per week.

• Ask about the schedule and format: extensive (2 to 4 hours a week over the school year), intensive, morning, afternoon or evening groups, in person, online or blended.

• Ask for the total cost, including materials, exam fees and the refund policy, and whether the course is free or subsidised for residents.

• Ask whether the course prepares you for an official certificate, such as the HABE levels or EGA for Basque, or CELGA for Galician, and whether it counts for work, civil service or university.

• Ask for the exam calendar and the pass rate, and whether you can miss sessions and make them up.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Basque classes at an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas?

Yes, Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOIs, the public language schools) offer Basque, but at higher levels. If you are starting from zero, an euskaltegi is usually the better first step. Municipalities also run their own euskaltegis.

Where do I find an euskaltegi in Navarre?

The Instituto Navarro del Euskera (Euskarabidea) lists the centres in Navarre. In the Basque Country, HABE has an online euskaltegi finder.

Are there free Galician courses for adults?

Yes, free or heavily subsidised Galician courses exist in Galicia, run through town councils and local language normalisation teams. Universities in Santiago, A Coruña and Vigo charge fees to non-students. Free online resources also exist.

How can I prove my level of Galician?

You can sit a CELGA exam, which certifies Galician levels. Ask your local language normalisation office or a university language service where and when to take it.