What is the fide test?

Since 2019, all foreign residents wishing to renew their residence permit or become Swiss must provide proof of their language level.

To meet this legal requirement, the SEM has introduced the language passport, which certifies the holder’s oral and written skills in the three Swiss national languages: French, German and Italian.

The language passport can be obtained in a number of ways, including by taking a fide test at a recognized test center such as SwitzerLangues.

For more information, see the links below:

Participation rules: Test fide – Rules

Test example: Test fide – White version

Further information: fide-service.ch

Who can take part in the fide test?

Anyone over the age of 16 can take part in the fide test.

Anyone with a disability can take part in the fide test.

People with little or no literacy skills can take part in the “Speaking and Understanding” section.

How can I prepare for the fide test?

SwitzerLangues’ French courses cover everything you need to know to pass your fide test.

How can I register for the fide test?

You can register here:

• by email to fide@switzerlangues.ch and pay by bank transfer, credit card or cash.
• in person at our reception and pay by bank transfer, credit card or cash.
• directly through our booking platform and pay by credit card. If the desired date is no longer available on our booking platform, please contact us on 022 547 66 47 or fide@switzerlangues.ch for possible late registration.

When you register, you can choose to take only the oral or written part of the fide test, or the full test (both parts).

If you choose the complete test, please note that our sessions are organized as follows:

• if you book the oral test on a Saturday, you must take the written test on the same day (in the afternoon) and it will automatically be booked for you internally.

• if you book the oral test on a Wednesday afternoon, you must take the written test the following day (Thursday afternoon), which will automatically be reserved for you internally.

• if you book the oral test on a Friday afternoon, you must take the written test on the following Monday (afternoon), which will automatically be reserved for you internally.

The participation fee is payable at the time of registration.

Your registration will be validated and effective upon receipt of your payment. You will receive an invitation to the fide test indicating the dates and times of your test no later than 2 weeks before the test date. will receive an invitation to the fide test indicating the dates and times of your test no later than 2 weeks before the test date.

How does the fide test work?

The fide test consists of a “Speaking and understanding” section and a “Reading and writing” section. You can register for both parts, or just one of them, in different language levels, if necessary (depending on legal requirements).

We organize our sessions as follows:

• Saturdays: oral test in the morning and written test in the afternoon.

• Wednesdays/Thursdays: oral test on Wednesday afternoon and written test on Thursday afternoon.

• Fridays/Mondays: oral test on Friday afternoon and written test on Monday afternoon.

Duration

Rates

Examination venue for the fide test

Rue de l’Est, 8
1207 Genève

Cancellation policy :

Cancellations must be made in writing to fide@switzerlangues.ch.

Up to the last day of the registration period (16 calendar days before the oral test date of the session): full refund of the participation fee.

Up to 15 days before the first test date: 50% refund.

Between the ^14th and ^8th day before the first test: 40% reimbursement.

Less than 8 days before the date of the first test: no refund will be made.

In the event of absence on the day of the test: no refund will be made.

A certificate of registration for the fide test can be requested if required.

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail(fide@switzerlangues.ch) or by telephone (022 547 66 47), or consult the fide test participation rules: https: //fide-info.ch/doc/238/fideFR_ReglementTestFide.pdf

Test fide – upcoming sessions