Who uses CEFR levels
- European Union institutions require B2 for most staff positions.
- UK visas set a B1 English minimum for most family and work visas.
- German, Dutch, and Scandinavian universities typically ask for B2 or C1 at admission.
- Employers in Central Europe treat B2 as the standard "working proficiency" bar.
- Canadian and Australian immigration map tests like IELTS to CEFR equivalents.
CEFR itself is a scale, not a certificate. Examinizer, IELTS, Cambridge, and others issue certificates that report a level on this scale.
What each level means
A1: Beginner
You can introduce yourself, use basic greetings, ask simple questions about directions or prices, and understand slow, clear speech on familiar topics. Most adults reach A1 after three to four months of structured study.
A2: Elementary
You can handle short social exchanges, manage basic transactions like shopping or booking a room, and read simple notices or short texts. Some entry-level roles in tourism or hospitality list A2 as a minimum.
B1: Intermediate
You follow the main points of clear speech on familiar topics: work, school, leisure. You can write simple connected text and handle most situations while travelling. The UK family visa English requirement is B1.
B2: Upper-intermediate
You understand complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including technical material in your field. You interact with native speakers without significant strain. Most job listings that say "working proficiency" or "good English" mean B2, and many European university programmes require it for admission.
C1: Advanced
You understand demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. You express yourself fluently without obvious searching for words. Academic programmes and senior professional roles commonly require C1.
C2: Proficient
Near-native mastery. You can summarise and synthesise complex material from multiple sources. C2 is not required for most jobs: it describes a highly educated native-level speaker. Examinizer tests C2, but few employers will ask for it.
CEFR and other test scales
| CEFR | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Cambridge exam | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | — | — | — | Beginner |
| A2 | — | — | Key (KET) | Elementary |
| B1 | 4.0–5.0 | 42–71 | Preliminary (PET) | Intermediate |
| B2 | 5.5–6.5 | 72–94 | First (FCE) | Upper-intermediate |
| C1 | 7.0–8.0 | 95–114 | Advanced (CAE) | Advanced |
| C2 | 8.5–9.0 | 115–120 | Proficiency (CPE) | Proficient |
IELTS and TOEFL equivalences are approximate. Official mappings are published by Cambridge Assessment English. See how Examinizer compares against other certificates.
How to find out your CEFR level
Three options, from fastest to most formal:
- Free online test. Examinizer, EF SET, or the Council of Europe self-assessment grid at coe.int. Fast and free, but not a certificate.
- Online certificate test. Examinizer (€8), TrackTest, or similar. Takes 25 minutes and produces a PDF certificate with a verification link. See our test methodology for how the level is calculated.
- Accredited exam. IELTS, Cambridge, Goethe, DELF, DELE. Required for visas, citizenship applications, and some academic programmes. Takes weeks to schedule and costs €100 to €300 or more.
Common questions
Yes. CEFR was developed by the Council of Europe and is used across more than 40 countries. EU employers, universities, and immigration authorities in Europe, Canada, and Australia all reference CEFR levels.
B2 is the most common requirement. C1 appears in job listings for senior roles, teaching positions, and roles involving complex written communication in a second language.
Yes. The same scale applies to English, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and any other language. The levels describe ability, not the specific language being tested.
The Council of Europe estimates roughly 200 guided learning hours per level at the lower end (A1 to A2), rising to 300 to 400 hours for upper levels (B2 to C1). This varies by native language and study intensity.
Last updated: July 2026