Exams and Greek in Cyprus Checked: no change to the rule has been established since the check
In short
- Who it applies to
- Anyone who has to prove their Greek for a document, a job or a profession: residence and citizenship, the civil service and schools, doctors and other regulated professions. And anyone who wants to learn the language for free.
- What it costs
- The exam costs €90 for A1, A2 and B1 and €100 for B2, C1 and C2 (2026 fees). Greek courses at the state ΚΙΕ institutes are free for foreigners who live in Cyprus permanently.
- How long it takes
- In Cyprus the certificate is taken once a year, in May. In 2026 registration ran from 1 February to 20 March; the 2027 session has not been announced yet. The October session is held only in Greece.
- Where to apply
- Register on the Centre for the Greek Language site (greek-language.gr), choose the Cyprus centre code 35703, and pay through JCC. The exam is run by the Ministry of Education's Examinations Service (Υπηρεσία Εξετάσεων) in Nicosia.
- If your case differs
- The Ministry of Education no longer runs its own Greek exams: they were replaced by the Centre for the Greek Language certificate. Old ministry certificates are still accepted. A1 brings no official benefit — it is a step towards A2.
Your case
If you need Greek for long-term residence or citizenship
Long-term residence needs A2, citizenship by residence needs B1; both also need the exam on Cyprus. Highly qualified employees of companies on the government list can apply for citizenship sooner: with A2 or with B1. A certificate from the Centre for the Greek Language, the University of Cyprus Greek school or an old ministry certificate is accepted.
If you are applying for the civil service or to teach in a state school
The post's scheme of service sets the level in words: “very good” knowledge means a B2 or C1 certificate, “excellent” means C2. For “good” knowledge the Public Service Commission's list does not include the Centre's certificate — ask the Commission how to prove it.
If you need Greek to register in a profession
Doctors need a C1 certificate, as do dentists and occupational therapists from other EU countries; chiropractors need B2, home carers B1. For nurses the law requires “elementary” knowledge, for engineers and tourist guides “very good”, but no level is named: the council or authority assesses it, often at an interview. The Bar exam is taken in Greek.
If you want to learn the language
The state ΚΙΕ institutes teach Greek from A1 to C1, free for foreigners who live in Cyprus permanently — you need proof of residence. Registration for the school year opens in spring, and classes start in September.
Deadlines and conditions
- A1, A2 and B1 cost €90Examinations Service notice of 28.01.2026 (ypp19692a): Α1, Α2, Β1 — «90 ευρώ».
- B2, C1 and C2 cost €100Same notice: Β2, Γ1, Γ2 — «100 ευρώ».
- when registering, choose centre 35703 — that is CyprusSame notice, step 4: «ο κωδικός του εξεταστικού κέντρου … που θα χρησιμοποιήσουν οι αιτητές που ενδιαφέρονται να εξεταστούν στην Κύπρο είναι 35703»; the Centre's list of exam centres, Cyprus.
- the ΚΙΕ teach Greek in 6 levels, from A1 to C1ΚΙΕ Greek programme 2026–27 (moec.gov.cy/kie, files of 09.09.2026): Ε1 — «ΚΛΙΚ ΣΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ Α1» … Ε5 and Ε6 — «Γ1 (Α΄ / Β΄ ΜΕΡΟΣ)». Free under Cabinet decision 82.156 of 1.3.2017: «Δωρεάν παροχή μαθημάτων ελληνικής γλώσσας, σε όλους τους μη Κύπριους, που αποδεδειγμένα διαμένουν μόνιμα στην Κύπρο».
Sources
- Examinations Service: notice on Πιστοποίηση Ελληνομάθειας 2026enimerosi.moec.gov.cyCyprus dates for May 2026, fees €90/€100, registration 1.02–20.03, centre code 35703, payment through JCC.
- Centre for the Greek Language — exam dateswww.greek-language.grOctober 2026 — in Greece only, A2 for professional purposes and B1; May 2027 in Greece; Cyprus dates «θα ανακοινωθούν τον Σεπτέμβριο 2026».
- Public Service Commission: list of accepted language evidence, 16.12.2021www.psc.gov.cy«Πολύ καλή γνώση» — a ΚΕΓ certificate «τουλάχιστον Γ1 ή Β2»; «Άριστη» — Γ2; for «Καλή» there is no ΚΕΓ certificate.
- Aliens and Immigration Law, Cap.105, art. 18Θ(1)(α1)www.cylaw.orgLong-term residence — «επαρκή γνώση της ελληνικής γλώσσας επιπέδου Α2».
- Point of Single Contact (businessincyprus.gov.cy): profession requirementswww.businessincyprus.gov.cyDoctors — C1 (all applicants), dentists from the EU — C1, chiropractors — B2, home carers — B1, nurses — elementary knowledge with an interview.
- State Institutes of Further Education (ΚΙΕ): Greek programme 2026–27 and fee exemptionswww.moec.gov.cyLevels Ε1–Ε6 = A1–C1; free for foreigners living permanently in Cyprus (Cabinet decision 82.156 of 1.3.2017).