DELF B2 registration in 2026: dates, fees and exam centres

DELF B2 registration does not happen on a national website. Each approved exam centre runs its own sessions, deadlines and fees. That is what surprises most candidates. This guide explains how to register in 2026, step by step, with examples of dates and fees checked in October 2026.

You will also find the documents to bring, how long results take and why this is a good year to take the diploma. If you are new to the exam, start with our guide to the DELF B2 format and marking.

DELF B2 registration in 5 steps

The process is the same all over the world. Only the deadlines and practical details change from one centre to another.

1. Pick the right version of the exam

The DELF B2 tout public is for adults: study, work or citizenship. The junior version is for teenagers aged 12 to 17. The Pro version certifies French in a professional context. In every case you receive the same DELF B2 diploma.

2. Find an approved exam centre

Instituts français, Alliances Françaises, universities and some language schools run the exam. The official list of centres is on the France Education international website, the body that manages the diploma. Choose a centre near you: the speaking test may take place on a different day from the written papers.

3. Check the session and the deadline

Each centre runs several sessions a year. Registration usually closes 4 to 8 weeks before the written papers. Places are limited, especially in Paris. Register as soon as it opens rather than waiting for the deadline.

4. Send your file and pay

The file includes a registration form, a copy of valid photo ID and the payment. Some centres do everything online. Others ask you to email or visit first. Use the same ID for registration and on exam day.

5. Receive your notice of exam

A few days before the exam, the centre sends a notice. It gives the date, time and place of the written papers and the speaking test. Keep it safe: you will be asked for it at the door.

Session dates for 2026–2027

There is no single national calendar. Centres set their own sessions, often in February–March, May–June and between October and December. Check your centre's calendar before planning your revision.

Here are examples in Paris, checked in October 2026. Always confirm the dates with the centre:

• Sorbonne Nouvelle: February 2027 session, online registration from 18 November to 16 December 2026 (centre website).
• Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne (CCFS): written papers in early December 2026, registration from October to early November (centre website).
• Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France: several sessions a year; registration for November 2026 has closed (Alliance website).

Allow at least 8 to 12 weeks of preparation between registering and the exam if your level is close to B1. That is the time you need to work on all four papers and take two or three mock exams.

DELF B2 fees: how much to budget

Each centre sets its own fee. In France, the DELF B2 tout public usually costs between €125 and €280. Paris sits at the top of the range. Abroad, the fee is set in local currency by the country's Institut or Alliance Française.

Centre (Paris)	DELF B2 tout public fee	Source
Sorbonne Nouvelle	€249 (€174.30 for its students)	Centre website, 2026–27 fees
CCFS – Sorbonne	€269	Listed in September 2026, check
Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France	€280	Listed in 2026, check

Fees are usually not refunded if you miss the exam. Always check the current fee on the centre's website before paying. Some centres offer a reduced rate to their own enrolled students.

Where to take the DELF B2: exam centres

In France, about 140 centres are approved: university French-as-a-foreign-language centres, Alliances Françaises and language schools. In Paris, you can contact the Alliance Française Paris Île-de-France, the CCFS, Sorbonne Nouvelle or Sorbonne Université, among others.

Abroad, the exam is run by Instituts français and Alliances Françaises in more than 170 countries: Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Morocco, Egypt, India and many more. Search for "DELF" on the website of the Institut or Alliance in your city.

If you have a disability or special need, say so when you register. The centre and France Education international review possible arrangements, such as extra time or an adapted room.

Exam day: what to bring

• Your notice of exam and valid photo ID, the same one used to register.
• A black or blue pen. Dictionaries and phones are not allowed.
• Arrive 30 minutes early: latecomers may be refused for the listening paper.
• The group papers last 2 h 30. The speaking test lasts 20 minutes, after 30 minutes of preparation.

To know exactly what to expect, practise under the same conditions. Our numbered DELF B2 tests follow the new format, with a timer, answers and a score out of 25 per paper.

Results and diploma

The centre releases results a few weeks after the session, often between 4 and 8 weeks. You first receive a certificate of achievement. The official diploma arrives a few months later.

The DELF B2 is valid for life. If you fail, you can register again for the next session, with no limit. To pass, you need at least 50/100 overall and 5/25 in each paper.

Why complete your DELF B2 registration in 2026?

For French citizenship

Since 1 January 2026, the level of French required for naturalisation is B2, spoken and written. The DELF B2 is one of the accepted diplomas. Check the current rules on service-public.fr before you apply.

For study

Most French universities ask for a B2 level for undergraduate entry. The DELF B2 often exempts you from the institution's own language test. Many schools and vocational programmes also ask for it.

For work

The DELF B2 proves independent French. It is an asset for a job in France or a French-speaking country, and for some competitive exams.

Preparing between registration and the exam

Once your DELF B2 registration is confirmed, plan your revision weeks. Start with the free B2 level test to see which paper to work on first. Then follow the method for each paper:

• listening: hear each recording twice and catch the key points;
• reading: manage your time on long articles;
• writing: build a 250-word argued text;
• speaking: defend a viewpoint and debate.

Finish with two or three full mock exams in real time. You will arrive on the day knowing the rhythm of the exam, and your registration fee will be money well spent.