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What Is the Sproochentest? The Luxembourg Citizenship Language Exam Explained

A complete overview of the Sproochentest — the official Luxembourgish language exam required for Luxembourg citizenship — covering its format, both oral parts, and what to expect on exam day.

If you are applying for Luxembourg citizenship, one mandatory step is passing the Sproochentest — the official Luxembourgish language exam. Administered by the Institut national des langues Luxembourg (INLL), this oral exam assesses your ability to speak and understand Luxembourgish at two distinct levels.

What Does "Sproochentest" Mean?

"Sproochentest" simply means "language test" in Luxembourgish. It is the compulsory language requirement for voluntary acquisition of Luxembourg nationality. The only exception applies to people who have legally resided in Luxembourg for more than 20 years — but even they must complete a minimum of 24 hours of Luxembourgish courses.

The Two Parts of the Exam

The Sproochentest is entirely oral — there is no written component. The full exam lasts approximately 45 minutes and is divided into two distinct parts.

Part 1 — Oral Expression (A2 Level, ~10 minutes)

This is a face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. It is split into two sub-parts:

  • Interview (5 min): The examiner proposes two everyday topics — such as work, family, hobbies, housing, or daily routines. You choose one and hold a guided conversation about it.
  • Visual description (5 min): The examiner presents three images or visual media. You choose one and describe or comment on it in Luxembourgish.

Examiners assess vocabulary range, fluency, clarity, grammatical correctness, coherence, and interactivity. Native-level pronunciation is not required — you simply need to be understood.

Part 2 — Listening Comprehension (B1 Level, ~25 minutes)

This part is completed on a tablet. You listen to three separate audio recordings and answer multiple-choice questions after each one. Each recording is played exactly twice. The recordings typically include:

  • A short radio news report on local Luxembourgish current affairs
  • An everyday conversation between two people
  • A third audio segment on a familiar everyday topic

At B1 level, you are expected to understand the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics — including radio and news broadcasts.

Pass/Fail Criteria

The exam is graded on a pass/fail basis. To pass, you must score at least 50% on the oral expression (speaking) part. The overall pass rate has remained stable at approximately 70% for over a decade.

How to Register

Registration is done online through the MyINL portal at myinl.inll.lu. Exam sessions are held throughout the year at multiple locations, including Glacis and Belval. The registration fee is €75.

Tip: You can practise both parts of the Sproochentest with Sproochentest AI — guided A2 speaking prompts and B1 listening clips with instant AI feedback, available on iOS, Android, and web.

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