Naturalisation and permits in Switzerland
Fide test in Geneva: preparation in private lessons
Naturalisation, C permit or family reunification: prepare for the fide test (A1 to B1) with a teacher from the Alliance Française de Genève, in private lessons, online or in person.
Required levels
What level of French for your project in Switzerland?
The federal language requirements (CEFR levels), depending on your procedure.
| Your procedure | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary naturalisation | B1 | A2 |
| Early C permit (after 5 years) | B1 | A1 |
| Ordinary C permit (after 10 years) | A2 | A1 |
| Extension of the B permit – family reunification | A1 | — |
Source: State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Requirements may change and exemptions exist: check your situation with the OCPM or the relevant authority.
The fide test
How does the fide test work?
The official SEM test, based on everyday situations in Switzerland.
Speaking part
Speaking and understanding
About 40 minutes.
- An interview of about 20 minutes with an examiner on everyday life in Switzerland
- A listening comprehension of about 20 minutes: listening to messages and answering questions
Writing part
Reading and writing
Everyday texts.
- Reading texts (notices, letters, forms) and answering questions
- Depending on the level, writing a short message or filling in a form
The result
A language passport recognised in Switzerland
The test assesses levels A1, A2 and B1. You receive a fide language passport, recognised by the Swiss authorities for residence and naturalisation procedures. The test is taken at an approved fide centre; the Alliance Française de Genève prepares you for it.
Our preparation
Preparing for the fide test in private lessons
A 100% individual preparation, focused on the level you need.
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A clear goal
We start from the level required for your procedure (A1, A2 or B1) and your current level, assessed in the first lesson.
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Real situations
Introducing yourself, talking about your work and family, understanding an announcement, filling in a form, writing a message.
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Simulations
Training in the test format to gain confidence, speed and ease when speaking.
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At your own pace
Online or in person, at times that suit you, in a single session or as a package.
Our team includes teachers who specialise in integration French and prepare students for the fide test. Meet the team
Prices
How much does the preparation cost?
Fide test preparation is done in private lessons.
| Package | Online | In person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session (1 h) | 80 CHF | 90 CHF |
| 10-hour package | 700 CHF | 850 CHF |
| 20-hour package | 1 300 CHF | 1 600 CHF |
| 35-hour package | 2 100 CHF | 2 625 CHF |
| 60-hour package | 3 480 CHF | 4 200 CHF |
| 120-hour package | 6 600 CHFi.e. CHF 55/h | 7 920 CHFi.e. CHF 66/h |
Private lesson prices. Packages lower the hourly rate.
Booking
Book your preparation lessons
Choose your package online. Specify “fide test” and the target level in your request.
A question? pedagogie@afge.ch · +41 78 609 29 80 · Free placement test
Frequently asked questions
Fide test and naturalisation: your questions
What level of French is needed for Swiss naturalisation?
For ordinary naturalisation, the Confederation requires level B1 for speaking and A2 for writing (CEFR).
What level of French for the C permit?
For ordinary granting of the settlement permit (C permit) after 10 years: A2 speaking and A1 writing. For early granting after 5 years: B1 speaking and A1 writing.
What is the fide test?
It is the language test of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). It assesses speaking (speaking and understanding) and writing (reading and writing) based on everyday situations in Switzerland, at levels A1 to B1. You then receive a language passport, recognised by the Swiss authorities.
How does the fide test work?
The speaking part lasts about 40 minutes (an interview of about 20 minutes and a listening comprehension of about 20 minutes). The writing part includes everyday texts with questions and, depending on the level, a short written task. You can take both parts or just one, depending on the level required.
Does the Alliance Française de Genève administer the fide test?
No. The Alliance Française de Genève is not a fide exam centre, but it prepares you for it in private lessons, online or in person, with teachers who know the format of the test.
How do I prepare for the fide test?
In private lessons: we assess your level, then work on the test situations (introducing yourself, talking about your daily life, understanding messages, filling in a form, writing a short message) with simulations in real conditions.
Are other certificates accepted besides the fide?
Yes. Certificates on the SEM’s official list are accepted (for example certain DELF diplomas or TCF / TEF tests). Some people are exempt: native French speakers, or those who attended school or training in French. Check your situation with the relevant authority.
They trust us
Our partners
Institutions, schools, festivals, cinemas and publishing houses: a Geneva and French-speaking network at the service of our learners.
Your project in Switzerland
Approach the fide test with confidence
Book your private lessons or write to us: we will help you aim for the right level.