GreeklyThe Greek A2 exam most people mean is the Certificate of Attainment in Greek (Πιστοποίηση Ελληνομάθειας, “ellinomatheia”) at level A2, run by the Centre for the Greek Language. It tests listening, reading, writing and speaking on everyday topics. It is held every May in Greece, Cyprus and abroad, and people take it mainly for residence and citizenship paperwork. Prepare by covering the A2 grammar and topics, practising all four skills weekly, and working through the official sample papers.
What the exam is
The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the Greek state's certificate of proficiency in Modern Greek for non-native speakers. It is run by the Centre for the Greek Language (Κέντρο Ελληνικής Γλώσσας), founded in 1994 in Thessaloniki and supervised by the Greek Ministry of Education. The certificate follows the six CEFR levels from A1 to C2; this page is about A2. For what the level itself means, see Greek A2 level.
In Cyprus, the same certification exams are organised locally by the Examination Service of the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, while the papers, marking and certificates come from the Centre for the Greek Language.
Exam format
At A2 the exam checks all four language skills. The tasks are built around everyday life and focus on whether you can communicate, not only on grammatical accuracy.
| Part | What you do | Typical situations |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Listen to short recordings and answer questions | Announcements, short dialogues, messages, simple instructions |
| Reading | Read short texts and answer questions | Notices, adverts, emails, short articles, timetables |
| Writing | Write short texts on everyday topics | A note, a message, an email or a short description |
| Speaking | A short oral exam with examiners | Talking about yourself, your routine and everyday situations |
Durations, scoring and pass rules are set by the Centre for the Greek Language and can change. Check the current candidate guide on greek-language.gr before the exam.
Dates, registration and results
- When: the main session is every May, at exam centres in Greece, Cyprus and many other countries. Some levels have additional sessions.
- Registration: usually opens several weeks before the session. Dates, fees and the application are published on the official site of the Centre for the Greek Language (greek-language.gr); in Cyprus, also by the Ministry of Education's Examination Service.
- Sample papers: the Centre for the Greek Language publishes sample exam papers for every level. Use them.
Who needs a Greek A2 certificate
Most candidates take it for official reasons:
- Long-term residence in Greece or Cyprus, where proof of Greek can be required or can shorten the path.
- Citizenship applications, which usually ask for a higher level (in Cyprus the standard naturalisation route is described as B1), with A2 used in some specific routes.
- Work and study, where an employer or programme asks for proof of basic Greek.
- Personal goals: a clear target that keeps you practising.
Requirements differ between Greece and Cyprus, between routes, and over time. Always confirm the current rules with the migration authority (in Cyprus, the Civil Registry and Migration Department; in Greece, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum) or a qualified lawyer. In Cyprus, residence and citizenship applicants may also need a separate exam on the contemporary political and social reality of Cyprus. See Learn Greek in Cyprus.
How to prepare: a 4-skill plan
- Check the gap. Try one official sample paper early, untimed. It shows which skill is weakest.
- Cover the A2 base. Genders and articles, three cases, present, past and future, να + subjunctive, weak pronouns, numbers and dates. The full list is on Greek A2 level.
- Daily vocabulary and grammar (15 to 20 minutes). Everyday topics: home, work, shopping, health, transport, services.
- Writing, three times a week. Short emails and messages: booking, cancelling, inviting, complaining politely. Get them corrected.
- Listening, every day. Short, clear recordings: announcements, dialogues, learner podcasts.
- Speaking, every week. Practise introducing yourself, describing your routine and your home, and simple role-plays with a tutor or partner.
- Final month: timed sample papers, one per week, and review of the mistakes you repeat.
How Greekly can help (and what it does not do)
Greekly is a practice app, not an official exam course, and it is not affiliated with the Centre for the Greek Language. What it does well for exam candidates:
- Quiz sessions on grammar, vocabulary and word order, with an explanation after every answer.
- Letter mode: write a short message in Greek and get it corrected, the same kind of text the writing part asks for.
- Dialogues about everyday situations, and Words with audio pronunciation.
- Weak topics come back until they stick, and statistics show where to focus.
For listening and speaking at exam standard, combine it with official sample papers, Greek audio and a speaking partner. Russian speakers can also practise in @greek_a2_bot, a Telegram bot with a Russian interface built around A2 exam topics.
Frequently asked questions
What is ellinomatheia?
Ellinomatheia (Πιστοποίηση Ελληνομάθειας) is the Certificate of Attainment in Greek, the Greek state's certificate of proficiency in Modern Greek for non-native speakers. It is run by the Centre for the Greek Language (Κέντρο Ελληνικής Γλώσσας) in Thessaloniki, which is supervised by the Greek Ministry of Education.
What does the Greek A2 exam test?
All four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Tasks are communicative and based on everyday situations, so the exam checks whether you can use Greek in real contexts, not only whether your grammar is correct.
When is the Greek A2 exam held?
The main session of the Certificate of Attainment in Greek takes place every May at exam centres in Greece, Cyprus and abroad. Some levels have additional sessions. Dates, fees and registration are published on greek-language.gr.
Who needs a Greek A2 certificate?
Mostly people applying for long-term residence or citizenship in Greece or Cyprus, where proof of Greek at a set level can be required. The level (A2 or B1) depends on the country and the route, and the rules change, so check with the migration authority.
How should I prepare for the Greek A2 exam?
Build the everyday grammar and vocabulary of the level, practise each of the four skills every week, work through the official sample papers from the Centre for the Greek Language, and time yourself. An app helps with daily vocabulary, grammar and writing; add listening and speaking with real Greek audio and a tutor or partner.
Is Greekly an official A2 preparation course?
No. Greekly is a practice app, not an exam course and not affiliated with the Centre for the Greek Language. It is useful for the vocabulary, grammar, reading and writing that the exam builds on.