Basque and Galician language requirements in public hiring

Terms used

• Preceptividad — The preceptividad date is when a post's Basque linguistic profile stops being a merit and becomes mandatory for the post-holder.
• CELGA — CELGA is the Galician language certificate issued by the Xunta, with five levels from CELGA 1 to CELGA 5.
• EGA — EGA is a Basque language certificate that proves the C1 level, enough for profile PL3.
• HABE — HABE is the Basque Government body that certifies Basque levels and manages the equivalence table.
• IVAP — IVAP is the Basque public administration institute that, with HABE, manages recognition of language certificates.

Key rules

• Basque profile: Before a post's preceptividad date its profile is only a merit; after it, the profile is mandatory.
• Galician levels: Each call sets the CELGA level and says whether Galician is compulsory or a merit.
• State posts: National government posts do not require Galician.
• Equivalents: Degrees taught in Basque, Escuela Oficial de Idiomas certificates and Galician courses or philology degrees may be accepted, depending on the rules.

The short version

Both regions can ask you to prove the local language for a public job, but they do it differently. The Basque Country gives each post a linguistic profile with a date from which it is mandatory. Galicia uses CELGA levels, and each call decides how much they matter. State (national government) posts do not require Galician.

Basque Country: linguistic profiles

Each post in the Basque public administrations and Osakidetza (the Basque health service) has a profile from PL1 to PL4. Roughly, they match these European language levels:

• PL1: B1
• PL2: B2
• PL3: C1
• PL4: C2

Each administration assigns profiles through its own language normalisation plan. The profile and its date for a given post are published in that administration's staff list. Look up the post you want before you apply.

The preceptividad date

Every post also has a preceptividad date (fecha de preceptividad). Before that date, the profile only counts as a merit, so it earns you points but you can still hold the post without it. After that date, the profile is mandatory for whoever holds the post.

Which certificates prove a profile

The Basque Government's equivalence table sets what proves each profile:

• EGA or the HABE C1 certificate proves PL3.
• HABE C2 proves PL4.
• A B2 certificate proves PL2.
• A B1 certificate proves PL1.

Other official titles, such as an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas certificate in Basque, are accepted at their level. A degree taught in Basque can exempt you from proving the profile. The table is updated from time to time, so check the current version with HABE or IVAP before you pay for an exam.

Galicia: CELGA levels

CELGA (Certificado de Lingua Galega) is issued by the Xunta de Galicia and has five levels, CELGA 1 to CELGA 5. This applies to posts in the Xunta and Galician local bodies.

There is no single level for all posts. Each call states whether Galician is tested in a compulsory exercise or only counted as a merit. Typical levels are:

• CELGA 2 for C2 posts
• CELGA 3 for C1 and A2-type posts
• CELGA 4 for A1 posts

Galician training courses and qualifications in Galician philology can be accepted as equivalents to CELGA. Merit points for Galician are limited and set in each call. The call's own rules give the exact level and points, and the Xunta revises levels and equivalences by order, so read the current call before you apply.

What to do

1. Find the post and read its call or staff list.
2. Note the required profile or CELGA level, and whether it is compulsory or a merit.
3. Check that your certificate is accepted at that level.
4. Gather the papers listed in the documents block below. The questions block below covers common doubts.

Documents you need

• For Basque posts: EGA or a HABE certificate at the level of the post's profile (B1 for PL1, B2 for PL2, C1 for PL3, C2 for PL4). HABE is the Basque Government's language body.

• An Escuela Oficial de Idiomas certificate in Basque, accepted at its level, if you do not hold EGA or a HABE certificate.

• A degree taught in Basque, which can exempt you from proving the profile.

• For Galician posts: the CELGA certificate (Certificado de Lingua Galega) issued by the Xunta, at the level the call states.

• A Galician training course certificate or a Galician philology qualification, accepted as an equivalent of CELGA when the call allows it.

Frequently asked questions

Which Basque certificates prove a linguistic profile?

EGA and the HABE C1 certificate prove PL3, HABE C2 proves PL4, B2 proves PL2 and B1 proves PL1.

Does a Basque profile always have to be met when I start the job?

No, a profile only becomes mandatory after the post's preceptividad date (the date from which it is compulsory). Before that date it counts as a merit only. The profile and the date are specific to each post and appear in the administration's staff list.

Which CELGA level do I need for a Galician public post?

There is no single CELGA level, because each call sets its own. Typical levels are CELGA 2 for C2 posts, CELGA 3 for C1 or A2-type posts and CELGA 4 for A1 posts.

Can Galician courses replace a CELGA certificate?

Yes, training courses in Galician and qualifications in Galician philology can be accepted as equivalents, if the call allows them.