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How to prepare for the Cyprus Greek language exam: A2 for long-term residence, B1 for citizenship

By greekincyprus 10/28/2026 Edited 10/29/2026 3 views 9 min read
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Sources checked 28 October 2026. Author: Greek in Cyprus.

Short answer: Long-term resident status names Greek at A2. Ordinary naturalisation (form M127) requires B1. In Cyprus you can get an A2 or B1 certificate in two ways: from the University of Cyprus School of Modern Greek (next session 11–29 January 2027, registration 2–30 November 2026), or through the Centre for the Greek Language's Ellinomatheia exam, which the Ministry of Education's Examinations Service runs in Cyprus each May. Both charge €90 for A2 or B1. A separate €20 test covers the "political and social reality of Cyprus".

1. Who needs which level

Situation Greek level Basis
Long-term resident status (third-country nationals after 5 years' lawful residence) A2, plus basic knowledge of Cyprus's contemporary political and social reality Aliens and Immigration Law, Cap. 105, s. 18Θ(1)(α1)
Ordinary naturalisation (M127): 7 of 10 years + 12 months' continuous residence B1 Ministry of Interior, M127 page
Highly skilled naturalisation (s. 111Β(2)) with 4 years' residence A2 Ministry of Interior, M127 page
Highly skilled naturalisation with 3 years' residence B1 Ministry of Interior, M127 page

Notes:

  • In exceptional cases, the Immigration Control Committee may exempt a long-term residence applicant from the language and knowledge condition (Cap. 105, s. 18Θ(2)).

  • For M127, holders of a recognised Greek-medium upper-secondary diploma, or of a degree from a programme taught in Greek, are exempt from the B1 certificate.

  • M127 has other conditions: good character, accommodation, resources, intention to reside, and a separate politics/society certificate (section 5). The fee is €500 to apply plus €500 on approval, with two €8.54 revenue stamps.

  • Note: The Migration Department's long-term residence page returned a server error on 28 Oct 2026. We could not confirm which A2 evidence it accepts for that status. Check with the department before booking an exam.

2. Certificates accepted for naturalisation

Minister of Interior Order KΔΠ 402/2024 (in force since 29 Nov 2024) lists the accepted A2 and B1 evidence:

  1. The Centre for the Greek Language's Ellinomatheia certificate, sat in Cyprus through the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth's Examinations Service.
  2. The old Cyprus Ministry of Education A2 certificate (exams held until 2023).
  3. The old Cyprus Ministry of Education B1 certificate (exams held until 2022).
  4. A University of Cyprus School of Modern Greek exam certificate. It must come with a confirmation bearing the School's original stamp.
  5. A School of Modern Greek course-completion certificate, also with the original-stamp confirmation.

The Ministry of Education no longer runs its own Greek certificates. They were replaced by the Centre for the Greek Language's Ellinomatheia exams, held in May each year.

3. 2026–2027 dates and registration

University of Cyprus, School of Modern Greek (independent exam)

Session Dates Registration Fee
January 2027 11–29 Jan 2027, Nicosia only 2 Nov 2026, 09:00 to 30 Nov 2026, 23:59 Cyprus time, or until places fill A1/A2/B1 €90; B2/C1/C2 €100
September 2027 first half of September (School's general calendar) Not yet published; the School posts dates about 2 months before the session —

  • Each candidate gets their exact day, time and room by email after registration closes.

  • An application only counts once the JCC payment succeeds. The fee is non-refundable, and you cannot transfer your place to someone else.

  • You do not have to take the School's courses. Exams are held only at the University of Cyprus, Nicosia.

  • Candidates must be at least 16.

Ellinomatheia (Centre for the Greek Language; run in Cyprus by the Examinations Service)

Session Dates (Centre's general calendar) Registration Fee
May 2027 A2: Tue 11 May 2027 (midday); B1: Thu 13 May 2027 (morning). Oral exams follow the written papers 1 Feb – 14 Mar 2027 A1/A2/B1 €90; B2/C1/C2 €100
October 2026 Greece only (A2 for professional purposes, B1) — —
  • Note: We found no Cyprus-specific May 2027 dates. The Centre's note said Cyprus dates would be announced in September 2026, but no May 2027 notice was on the Examinations Service page on 28 Oct 2026. In 2026 the Cyprus dates differed from the Centre's general calendar, so check the Examinations Service notice before registering.

4. University of Cyprus exam format

Each of the four skills is worth 25 units. You get a certificate only with at least 60% in every skill: failing one skill means failing the whole exam. The certificate shows a score from 0 to 100. Use of Language is tested only at B2–C2.

Paper A2 B1
Listening (taken first) 25 min; 3–4 everyday audio texts; true/false, matching to pictures, gap-fill, notes, 3-option multiple choice 30 min; everyday to semi-formal audio (interviews, dialogues); notes, comparison table, true/false, gap-fill, 3-option multiple choice
Reading 40 min; 3–4 everyday texts; true/false, matching, 4-option multiple choice, gap-fill 50 min; informative, advertising, newspaper and simple literary texts; matching, table, true/false, gap-fill
Writing 55 min; part A: friendly text or description (80–100 words); part B: a more formal text such as an invitation, thank-you or congratulations (80–100 words) 70 min; part A: friendly letter, announcement or advert (about 150 words); part B: a formal text, such as asking for information, giving reasons or complaining
Speaking 15 min per pair; getting to know you, short monologue or picture description, role play 15 min per pair; getting to know you, longer monologue (describe and explain feelings in photos), role play with argument
Total written time 2 hours 2 hours 30 min

Easy-to-miss rules:

  • Do not write your real name in the writing paper.

  • You get no preparation time for speaking, except 1–2 minutes to read the roles in part C.

  • Arrive 45 minutes before Listening and 10 minutes before Speaking. Late arrivals are not let in.

  • You may bring only your candidate sheet, photo ID and blue pens. Dictionaries, electronic devices and correction fluid are not allowed.

  • Results: within 2 months according to the School's general page, or within 2.5 months of the session according to the 26 Aug 2026 regulations. A re-evaluation costs €60 and is non-refundable. The deadline is 1 month from results on the general page, but 10 days in the regulations. Use the earlier deadline to be safe.

  • Collect your certificate by appointment (65 Kallipoleos St, 1071 Nicosia, 2nd floor) or have it couriered at your own cost. A reissue costs €10 and is allowed once.

Ellinomatheia has its own task structure and samples: www.greek-language.gr/certification/node/119.html (structure), www.greek-language.gr/certification/node/12.html (samples).

5. The separate "political and social reality of Cyprus" test

This test is not a Greek-language exam, but it is taken in Greek. You need it for both long-term residence and naturalisation.

  • 45 minutes, multiple choice. Run by the Ministry of Education's Examinations Service.

  • Pass mark: 50% for long-term residence, 60% for naturalisation.

  • Fee €20. Apply online only, via JCC Smart.

  • Since September 2026 the test runs three times a year:

Test date Applications
Sat 21 Nov 2026 5–12 Oct 2026 (closed)
Sat 6 Mar 2027 11–18 Jan 2027
Sat 3 Jul 2027 17–24 May 2027
Sat 20 Nov 2027 4–11 Oct 2027

Topics include customs, well-known public figures and institutions, key dates and holidays, well-known places in Cyprus, and current affairs.

6. A practical preparation plan

  1. Confirm your route and the level it needs (section 1). A2 and B1 are separate exams, and A2 does not cover every citizenship route.
  2. Check your level honestly using official sample papers. If A2 tasks are still hard, do not aim for B1 at the next session.
  3. Pick a session and note the deadline: 30 Nov 2026 for the University's January 2027 session, 14 Mar 2027 for Ellinomatheia in May 2027. University places can fill before the deadline.
  4. Prepare all four skills. Scoring below 60% in any one skill means no certificate, so grammar alone is not enough. Listening and speaking are the ones people usually neglect.
  5. Practise timed writing in the exam format: short 80–100-word texts (A2) or about 150 words (B1), without using your real name.
  6. Practise speaking with a partner: introducing yourself, describing a photo, and an unprepared role play.
  7. Book the politics/society test at the same time. It costs €20 and each application window lasts one week.
  8. Get your documents in order: the details on your application must match your passport or ID. Keep your JCC payment confirmation.
  9. After the exam, collect your certificate together with the School's original-stamp confirmation if you are applying for naturalisation (KΔΠ 402/2024).

7. If you want help preparing

Greek in Cyprus runs online A1, A2 and B1 groups on Mondays and Wednesdays (19:00, 20:00 and 21:00 Cyprus time). New groups start on the 2nd of each month. The classes prepare you for the exam, but only the exam body issues the certificate.

FAQ

Do I need to take a course to sit the University exam? No. You can sit the independent exam without a course, and the certificate is the same.

Is A2 enough for citizenship? Only on the s. 111Β(2) highly skilled route with 4 years' residence. Ordinary naturalisation needs B1.

Can I sit the exam in October in Cyprus? The October 2026 Ellinomatheia session was held only in Greece. In Cyprus, exams run in January and September (University) and in May (Ellinomatheia).

Sources

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