For a Swiss citizenship application you usually need to prove your German with a recognised certificate. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) accepts several certificates, including telc and fide, with no distinction between them as long as the required level is reached. You receive a letter stating the level you need and a list of certificates that are valid. The level depends on your canton and your situation and is set by the authorities, not by a language school, so confirm it with the office handling your application, then prepare for a certificate they accept.
Both are accepted, and many people choose telc
Both telc and fide are accepted for citizenship. Many people choose telc because, as well as being accepted in Switzerland, it is recognised internationally, so the certificate is useful beyond your application. telc runs from A1 to C1; the fide test covers A1 to B1. For a level above B1, you take telc.
Check before you book
Requirements are not the same everywhere. They can depend on your canton, your permit history, and your situation. We can explain what each exam involves and how to prepare, but the authorities decide the required level. Confirm it with them, then prepare for an accepted certificate.
How to prepare in Zürich
We are an official telc and fide exam centre in central Zürich, at Löwenstrasse 61, two minutes from the main station, so you can prepare and sit the exam in one place. One-to-one preparation is built around you and comes with a money-back guarantee: if you attend all the lessons we agree, complete your homework, and sit the exam on the agreed day, and you do not pass, we refund your preparation fees. We have a 100% pass rate on telc since 2017, and 99.5% on our fide preparation since 2022.
Common questions
Which certificate does Switzerland accept for citizenship?
The SEM accepts several, including telc and fide, as long as you reach the required level. You receive a letter with the level and a list of valid certificates. Many people choose telc because it is also recognised internationally.
What level do I need?
That depends on your canton and situation, and the authorities set the level. Check the exact level with the office handling your application.
What is the highest level of the fide test?
B1. For a higher level, you take a telc exam, which runs up to C1.
Is there a pass guarantee?
Yes, on one-to-one preparation, under the stated conditions.
Ready to prepare? If you have a citizenship deadline, get in touch. Once you know the level you need, we will prepare you for it at Löwenstrasse 61 in Zürich.