The English test for British citizenship
To naturalise as a British citizen you need to show English at B1 or higher in speaking and listening, unless you're exempt. The B2 change coming for settlement in March 2027 doesn't change this.
What the rule says
The citizenship English requirement is set by the British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003, regulation 5A, not by the Immigration Rules that are changing in 2027. It asks for an approved Secure English Language Test at B1 or above, taken no more than two years before you apply, or one of the other routes below. The Home Office's Form AN guidance says the same.
If you already proved B1 for settlement
If your application for indefinite leave to remain was successful on the basis of an English qualification at B1 or above, you don't need to pass another test for citizenship. The Form AN guidance says so directly. So someone who settles with a B2 test after March 2027 will also have met the citizenship standard.
Simply having taken a test at some point isn't enough: it has to have been accepted when you settled, or be a current approved test.
Who doesn't need a test
- People aged 65 or over.
- People with a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them meeting the requirement, with the right medical evidence.
- Nationals of majority English-speaking countries on the Home Office list.
- People with a qualifying academic bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD taught or researched in English. For a UK-awarded degree, provide the required qualification evidence. For an overseas degree, check the Home Office's Ecctis assessment requirements before applying.
The exact lists are on GOV.UK, and your circumstances matter, so check before you book.
Which test to take
Any of the four approved B1 speaking and listening tests works: Trinity GESE Grade 5, IELTS Life Skills B1, PTE Home B1 or LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT B1. They differ mainly in length, format and how quickly results come. Compare them.
Common questions
Is the citizenship English test changing to B2?
The 2027 change applies to settlement, not citizenship. The citizenship requirement in regulation 5A is still B1 or above, and we found no change to it. We'll update this page if that changes.
General information, not legal advice. Sources: British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003, reg 5A; Form AN guidance; GOV.UK exemptions. Checked 20 October 2026.