I would just do the Fide test. I did mine a few years ago, since it is the SEM’s officially authorized one, its easy for them to verify it from their side as well. I did get higher marks than I originally expected, probably I don’t even speak until the B1 level (I think I am on the lower B1 level), so in my case I assumed they were quite lenient, they graded me on the higher B1 side.
Anyone know where I can find the official list of accepted qualifications for Basel Land?
Took me about 30 sec to find it: https://bl-api.webcloud7.ch/politik-und-behorden/direktionen/sicherheitsdirektion/amt_fuer_migration/medienordner-afmb/ea_25_sprache_voraussetzung.pdf
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Thanks. How/where did you search, I spent a long time and couldn’t find it so want to improve my searching skills!
I wrote “Einbürgerung BL” in Google and on the official website clicked Integrationsthemen and then Merkblätter. It was pretty straightforward, which is not always the case on the websites of the small cantons.
Living in Zurich or Zug it’s easy to forget how far behind is the digitalisation of the government services in some cantons.
I guess that’s not the sort of German vocabulary people have or would know to use if they’re searching for info about accepted language certificates. The very fact they’re searching for German exams would suggest they’re not proficient in the language.
I don’t agree. We are talking about people who think that they are ready to apply for the citizenship. The most important reason to get citizenship is good integration. The main aspect of good integration is that the person knows how to find information on the official websites of their municipality, canton or country.
BTW, they can ask this question during the interview. Like, what would you do if you need some official information (how to sort your garbage or something like that).
Then we’ll just have to agree to differ.
My gemeinde offers German courses with discount for residents. I’ve tried them but it was so inefficient, focused more on on-boarding new immigrants to local customs then to teach the language.
Why Basel official list doesn’t mention SDS?
Hi, some cantons do not list SDS as accepted certificate for Naturalisation, it is better check directly with them, for example in Zurich SDS is accepted only up to the request of a C permit, that’s one of the reason a year ago I decided to take the FIDE instead, which is listed also for the naturalisation.
Up until last year it was possible to convert SDS into FIDE language passport which is accepted for everything.
It appears now that SDS is valid for naturalization in Zurich as well.
The list has been updated:
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It’s listed in the PDF, for 2026, so I guess it’s valid in all cantons
although there’s a note nr 11)
The body responsible for this language certificate has committed itself to the SEM to meet the ALTE quality standards (Q-Mark label) by the end of 2029. The SEM reviews progress on the basis of a progress report.
It was always listed, but each canton has always the last word when it comes to cantonal citizenship.
Zurich until last December was not listing it as valid for the naturalization but it was recognized in case of C permit application.
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Exactly federal rules set the framework but the cantons have final say and Zurich just lagged behind until recently.
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Until a year ago SDS could be converted to FIDE Language passport which was accepted by all entities.
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Didn’t hear about this SDS back in 2022 / 2023 when I was preparing for my C-permit Fide test.
Mostly back then all immigration / naturalization websites and documents mentioned Fide as the go to test.
They say SDS is digital, means on a tablet, but still you have to visit one of the licensed testing centers listed on their site. My language center (ECAP) did my Fide themselves, plus I took language courses from them. Written was normal like a written exam on paper with MCQs, which will be now conducted digitally on a tablet. For reading, speaking, listening normally you have to sit with an examiner who asks you questions, listens etc. someone who has a paper, so this will be now digitally on a tablet as well.
Thing with Fide was that I was able to find a lot of older test materials as well as it had been conducted for several years in the past. For this SDS, its says model tests are coming soon on their website.
Funny thing, after I got my golden letter for naturalization, the SEM returned me back my original Fide certificate, that was probably the one document including the test grades that were returned back to me. This is because when I checked with the Fide guys in Bern, they said they don’t issue additional copies of the certificate, you get it only once, and for the SEM application you have to send the original certificate, so it’s good they return it back to you. 
Why didn’t you send them a copy?
Probably because of this: