DELE vs SIELE: which one you should choose

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, September 4, 2025

Do you need to prove your level of Spanish? Do you need to certify your level to get into university in Spain or Latin America? Are you being asked to provide paperwork to obtain Spanish nationality? There are many procedures that require you to take an official Spanish exam. But do you know which one is right for you depending on the documents you are being asked to follow?

We can distinguish between the DELE exam and the SIELE exam. Both are official Spanish exams, but there are important differences that you should be aware of: structure, validity, and objectives.

Below is a comparative summary of the DELE vs. SIELE so that you can choose the one that best suits your objectives and requirements.

DELE exam

The DELE exam, or Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language, is organized by the Cervantes Institute on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education.

DELE exam diplomas are valid indefinitely, meaning they do not expire. Each exam corresponds to a specific level, so candidates must register for the level they wish to certify. The levels are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2. The test is always taken in person at authorized centers such as Enforex Spanish schools. It consists of four parts: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and interaction, and oral expression and interaction.

This exam is highly valued in academic contexts and, above all, in official procedures, including obtaining Spanish nationality or residence permits. However, the exam is only offered on fixed dates throughout the year, which limits flexibility somewhat. To check the DELE exam dates, visit the website dele.org.

SIELE exam

The SIELE exam, or Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española (International Service for the Evaluation of Spanish Language), is a certification also promoted by the Instituto Cervantes in conjunction with universities in Mexico, Argentina, and Spain.

Once taken, SIELE is valid for five years. It is a single and adaptive test. Thus, it is a certificate of Spanish language proficiency on a point scale. Depending on the number of correct and incorrect answers, you will obtain one certification or another.

The SIELE is taken entirely in digital format, also at authorized centers, and assesses the same four language skills as the DELE. However, in the SIELE exam, students can choose to take the complete test or independent modules. This exam is particularly useful in international work and academic settings due to its flexibility.

In addition, it can be taken on virtually any date, as the exam dates are much more adaptable to the candidate's needs.

DELE vs SIELE

Depending on what you need the certification for, you will need to take one exam or the other. If you are looking to prove your Spanish language skills, the DELE exam is for you. On the other hand, if you need a quick, flexible certificate with global reach, then SIELE is what you are looking for, although it is only valid for 5 years.

Below is a table showing the main differences between the two certificates:

DELE	SIELE
Permanent validity does not expire	Valid for 5 years
Choose a level (A1 to C2)	Single, adaptive exam
In-person	Online
4 tests: reading, listening, writing, and speaking	4 tests: reading, listening, writing, and speaking (you can choose all or just one)
Fixed exam dates (check dates)	Flexible exam dates and centers
Official academic and administrative diploma	Practical, fast, and adaptable certificate

Consult our advisors or give us a call if you have any questions about DELE or SIELE exams.

At Enforex, we make it easy for you to pass these exams, as we offer specific preparation courses for the DELE exam and the SIELE exam. More than 95% of our students passed the exams. Find out more and get the certificate you need with the help of our teachers. As an accredited school, Enforex offers you several Spanish cities where you can take the exams.