fide for language learners  |  Proofsfide dossier: Proving your language skills at B1 level

Do you speak and write German, French or Italian at level B1 or higher?

You can then have your language skills assessed through the fide dossier procedure. If you meet the requirements, you will receive a fide language passport showing level B1.

How the fide dossier procedure works:

1. You submit your dossier using the application form.

2. The Secretariat fide checks your dossier.

3. You receive an email. It tells you whether you have been admitted to the procedure.

4. You pay the fee of CHF 150.

5. If you have been admitted, you register for a validation meeting.

6. On successful completion, you receive the language passport showing level B1 (oral and written).

Who can submit a fide dossier?

You can submit a fide dossier if

• you are at least 16 years old and
• your German, French or Italian skills correspond to at least level B1.

In addition, you meet at least one of the following requirements:

• You have a language certificate at level B1, B2, C1 or C2 that is not included in the list of recognised language certificates.
• You have attended a German, French or Italian course at level B2, C1 or C2 and have a course confirmation.
• You have attended further training courses in German, French or Italian.
• You have an employment reference showing that you regularly and actively use German, French or Italian both orally and in writing.

What does a validation meeting look like?

A meeting consists of two parts in which it is checked whether your language skills correspond to level B1:

• Oral part: Two experts conduct a conversation with you.
• Written part: You solve a writing task.

Important information:

• Certificates, confirmations of course attendance or employment references are not converted directly into a language passport. To receive a language passport, you must complete the fide dossier procedure.
• Only level B1 is assessed through the fide dossier.
• Even if your language skills are above level B1, you will still be awarded level B1.
• Lower language levels (e.g. A1 or A2) are not shown in the language passport.

Dates of validation meetings