Free Italian Classes in Rome: The CPIA Adult Education Centres for Foreigners

In a nutshell

In Rome you can learn Italian for free at state-run public schools called CPIA — Centri Provinciali per l'Istruzione degli Adulti (provincial adult-education centres). Courses range from pre-literacy level for people who cannot yet read or write, all the way to B1 — the level required for Italian citizenship. They are open to all foreign adults, including asylum seekers and people whose permit has expired while waiting for renewal.

At a glance

Cost	Enrolment, classes, and the final A2 exam: free. External B1 certifications (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, CertIT): €80–130.
Timeline	A1: 80–100 hours (4–6 months). A2: 100–120 hours (5–7 months). B1: 200 hours (one academic year).
Where in Rome	4 territorial CPIAs: Roma 1, 2, 3 and 4. Dozens of branch sites in schools and community centres.
Documents	ID document, Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID), residence permit or application receipt, proof of address

What you learn and at what level

Italian courses for foreigners follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). You can start at any level after a short placement test:

Level	What you can do
Pre-A1	Literacy: read and write in the Latin alphabet, numbers, basic words
A1	Introduce yourself, ask for directions, understand simple sentences
A2	Get by in daily life: work, housing, health services, public offices
B1	Read simple texts, discuss a range of topics (required for citizenship)

At the end of the A2 course you sit a final exam. Those who pass receive an A2 state certificate issued by the Ministry of Education through the CPIA. This certificate is officially recognised for:

• the EU long-term residence permit (exempts you from the language test at the Prefettura)
• the integration agreement (accordo di integrazione, required for those who arrived on a visa after 2012)

For Italian citizenship by residency or marriage you need a B1 certificate from one of the accredited bodies: CILS (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri) or CertIT (Università Roma Tre). The CPIA prepares you for B1, but the official exam must be taken at one of these institutions.

Who can enrol

You can attend a CPIA if you are at least 16 years old and live or are based in Lazio. The type of permit you hold does not matter: asylum seekers with a Questura receipt, people whose permit has expired and is under renewal, and those still waiting for their first permit are all admitted. School attendance is a right guaranteed by law even for people without regular immigration status.

How to enrol

Standard enrolment (September–October): go to the CPIA office for your Municipio with your ID, Codice Fiscale, residence permit (or receipt), proof of address, and two passport photos. You fill in the enrolment form on site, take a short placement test to determine your level, and are placed in a class. Classes begin in mid-September or early October.

Rolling enrolment (year-round): many CPIAs accept new students after September too, as long as places are available. The process is the same but you join a class already in progress.

External candidate for the A2 exam: if you are already at A2 level and only want the state certificate, you can sit the CPIA exam as an external candidate without attending the course. The exam is free and is usually held in December, March, or June.

The four CPIAs in Rome

Rome is divided into four areas, each served by a CPIA with dozens of branch sites:

CPIA Roma 1 — City centre, EUR, Portuense, Marconi: Via Cesare Lombroso 118 — tel. 06 35 51 19 22 — cpiaroma1.edu.it

CPIA Roma 2 — Northern and western Rome (Salario, Trieste, Monte Mario): Via Tibullo 14 — tel. 06 6878 020 — cpiaroma2.edu.it

CPIA Roma 3 — Eastern Rome (Tiburtino, Prenestino, Tor Bella Monaca, Tuscolano): Viale di Tor Marancia 47 — tel. 06 5126 8071 — cpiaroma3.edu.it

CPIA Roma 4 — Metropolitan City (Civitavecchia, Tivoli, Frascati, Albano, Pomezia, Velletri and other municipalities): cpiaroma4.edu.it

If you prefer a supplementary free course offered by the third sector, you can also contact Caritas Roma (Via delle Zoccolette 19), the Comunità di Sant'Egidio (Piazza Sant'Egidio 3a) or the Centro Astalli (for asylum seekers). Bear in mind that the official A2 certificate is only issued by the CPIA.

Mistakes to avoid

1. Don't pay anyone to enrol you at the CPIA. The courses, the exams, and the certificate are completely free. If you come across private schools presenting themselves as "official" and charging hundreds of euros, walk away.
2. Don't mix up A2 and B1. The CPIA A2 certificate is enough for the EU long-term residence permit, but for citizenship you need B1. They are two different levels with two different pathways.
3. Don't wait until your permit is sorted before enrolling. You can enrol even with an expired permit under renewal — a postal receipt or a Questura appointment slip for asylum is enough. Waiting only means losing time.

Special cases

Workers with difficult schedules: CPIAs offer evening classes (6 pm to 9 pm) and, in some cases, Saturday mornings. Check the website of your local CPIA.

Women with young children: some CPIAs have a childcare space during lessons. The Casa Internazionale delle Donne (Via della Lungara 19) also runs courses specifically for migrant women.

Illiteracy: the pre-A1 course is designed for people who cannot read or write in any language. It starts from the Latin alphabet, numbers, and basic vocabulary. Duration: 80–100 hours.

Asylum seekers in reception centres: many CAS, SAI, and SPRAR facilities run Italian courses directly in partnership with the CPIAs. Ask the manager of your centre.

Pathway from zero to B1: starting from scratch takes roughly 2–3 years (pre-A1 + A1 in year one, A2 in year two, B1 in year three). By the end of the A2 stage you already have the state certificate for the EU long-term residence permit.

Already at B1 or B2: the CPIA can point you towards the relevant certification bodies. For academic or professional Italian at higher levels, Rome's university language centres (Sapienza, Tor Vergata, Roma Tre) offer courses, though those are paid.

People in prison: CPIAs run courses at Regina Coeli, Rebibbia, and Casal del Marmo. Regular attendance entitles detainees to sentence reductions.

Official sources

• CPIA Roma 1
• CPIA Roma 2
• CPIA Roma 3
• CPIA Roma 4
• MIM — Adult Education
• USR Lazio
• Integrazione Migranti Portal
• CILS — Università per Stranieri di Siena
• CELI — Università per Stranieri di Perugia
• PLIDA — Società Dante Alighieri

Legal references: DPR 29 ottobre 2012 n. 263, DM 12 marzo 2015 (Linee guida CPIA), DM 4 giugno 2010 (A2 per permesso UE lungo periodo), DPR 14 settembre 2011 n. 179 (Accordo di Integrazione), D.Lgs. 25 luglio 1998 n. 286, DPR 31 agosto 1999 n. 394 art. 45, Legge 5 febbraio 1992 n. 91 art. 9.1, Legge 132/2018 (B1 per cittadinanza).