Utility of the Certificate of Attainment in Greek

The Certificate of Attainment in Greek is the only officially recognized certificate that confirms the knowledge of Greek as a second language. It offers a professional opinion of one’s knowledge of Greek, and serves as proof of the level of attainment in Greek in the work market.

The Certificate of Attainment in Greek was established in 1998 by the Greek Ministry of Education.

The Center for the Greek Language in Thessaloniki, Greece (CGL) has been assigned the exclusive responsibility of administering the examination. There are six levels of attainment and four skills are examined: listening and reading comprehension, writing and speaking. These levels are aligned with the Common European Framework of Refefence for Teaching Foreign Languages. Examinations at all levels are held once a year in mid-May.

The Certificate of Attainment in Greek:

  • Serves as proof of the successful candidate's level of attainment in Greek in the work market.
  • Is a requirement for the practice of various professions in Greece
  • Allows citizens of European Union member states to participate in the examination of the Supreme Council of Personnel Selection (ΑΣΕΠ) for civil service positions (The Supreme Council specifies the required level of certificate in every announcement)
  • Levels A1 and A2 correspond to one or two years of college level foreign language instruction respectively.
  • Level B2 allows foreigners to register at a Greek institution of higher education, if they do not have a Greek secondary education certificate (M.R. 152/Β6/1504/30-5-2001 – Official Government Gazette 659 vol.Β?)
  • Level C2 allows citizens of European Union member states to prove complete knowledge and fluent use of the Greek language and thus be employed in a Greek institution of higher education.

Choosing the appropriate level

Center for the Greek Language (CGL)

The Center for the Greek Language has been assigned the exclusive responsibility of administring the Examination. Before choosing the appropriate level of examination, candidates may consult either their instructor and the samples and all relevant material uploaded on the respective website

Click to visit the CGL site »