Italian B1 Language Exam for Citizenship: Complete Guide for Rome
Since 2018, a B1 Italian certificate is mandatory to apply for Italian citizenship. Four recognised bodies, €100–130, results in 30–60 days. Here's how it actually works.
In a nutshell
Since 4 December 2018, anyone applying for Italian citizenship — whether through naturalisation or marriage — must prove they speak Italian at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Without this certificate, your citizenship application won't even be processed. The certificate is valid for life and costs between €100 and €130.
At a glance
| Cost | €100–130 (CILS: €100, CELI: €110, PLIDA: €110, Roma Tre: €120) |
| Timeline | Registration to result: 2–4 months. Paper certificate: 3–5 months total. |
| Where in Rome | CPIA 3 Roma (Via Tiburtina 1163), PLIDA/Dante Alighieri (Piazza Firenze 27), Roma Tre (Via Ostiense 234), CELI affiliated centres |
| Documents | Photo ID, Codice Fiscale (Italian tax ID), registration form, payment receipt |
The four recognised bodies: which one to choose
Only certificates issued by these four bodies carry legal weight for Italian citizenship. No other body, private school, or diploma is accepted.
| Body | B1 Cost | Sessions/year | Where to register |
|---|---|---|---|
| CILS — Univ. per Stranieri di Siena | €100 | 8+ | cils.unistrasi.it |
| CELI — Univ. per Stranieri di Perugia | €110 | 4–6 | cvcl.it/celi-immigrati |
| PLIDA — Società Dante Alighieri | €110 | 6 | plida.it |
| Cert. it. — Università Roma Tre | €120 | 4 | romatrelingue.uniroma3.it |
All four carry identical legal weight for citizenship. Choose based on the most convenient location, available dates, and cost. CILS has the most sessions per year and is the cheapest — it's usually the first choice in Rome.
How the exam works
The exam lasts around 2–3 hours and tests four skills. The CILS B1 Cittadinanza format is the most common:
| Section | Duration | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Listening (2 recordings, comprehension questions) | 20 min | 20 points |
| Reading comprehension (2 texts) | 35 min | 20 points |
| Written production (letter or email) | 30 min | 30 points |
| Oral production (conversation with examiner) | 10 min | 30 points |
You need at least 60 points out of 100 to pass (roughly 60–65% in each section — this varies slightly by body).
Some practical examples: in the listening section you might need to understand a train-station announcement and answer 5 questions. For writing, you might draft an email to your landlord reporting a broken appliance (80–120 words). For the oral section, you introduce yourself for 2 minutes, describe a photo, and have a short conversation with the examiner on a given topic.
B1 Italian means you can handle everyday situations independently: you follow simple conversations, write short texts on familiar topics, and manage a basic work interaction. Nobody is asking you to debate politics or analyse literature.
How to register: step by step
- Choose your body and find an exam centre in Rome on the body's official website. Not every Italian school is an exam centre — always verify.
- Check the session calendar on the body's site. Spots fill up fast: register at least 2 months in advance.
- Complete the registration form online and pay the fee (credit card, bank transfer, or MAV payment slip, depending on the body).
- You'll receive a call letter by email with the venue, date, and time — usually 15–30 days beforehand.
- On exam day, bring your original photo ID, a black pen (no pencils), and your call letter. Phones must be switched off; no dictionaries or notes are allowed.
- In 30–60 days you'll receive your result by email. If you pass, the paper certificate arrives in 60–90 days.
- Upload the PDF certificate to the ALI portal when you submit your citizenship application.
Exam centres in Rome
CILS in Rome. Sessions are held mainly at the CPIA (Centri Provinciali Istruzione Adulti — adult education centres run by the state): CPIA 3 Roma (Via Tiburtina 1163), CPIA 1 Roma (Via dell'Acqua Bullicante 30), CPIA 2 Roma (Via dei Salentini 8). Check updated venues at cils.unistrasi.it/sedi-esame.
CELI in Rome. Affiliated centres include Italianami (Via Cosenza 7) and Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (Piazza dell'Orologio 7). Details at cvcl.it/celi-immigrati.
PLIDA in Rome. The main venue is the Società Dante Alighieri at Piazza Firenze 27, tel. 06 6873694. Website: plida.it.
Roma Tre. Dipartimento Lingue, Letterature e Culture Straniere, Via Ostiense 234, 00146 Roma, tel. 06 57338361, email certificazione.italianoL2@uniroma3.it. Metro B: Marconi.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using certificates from non-recognised bodies. Only CILS, CELI, PLIDA, and Roma Tre are valid. Diplomas from private language schools, attendance certificates, or certificates in other languages are not accepted. Always verify on the body's own site that your school is an official exam centre.
- Confusing B1 with A2. B1 is what citizenship requires. A2 (a lower level) is needed for the long-term EU residence permit — these are two separate certificates and are not interchangeable.
- Registering too late. Spots in sessions run out weeks before the date. If you have a citizenship-application deadline in mind, budget 3–5 months from registration to paper certificate.
Special cases
Disability or specific learning difficulties. All four bodies offer accommodations (extra time, alternative formats) for people with visual impairment, hearing loss, or dyslexia. You must request this from the certifying body at least 60 days in advance with supporting medical documentation.
You already have an A2 certificate. It won't work for citizenship. You must sit the exam again at B1 level.
Lost certificate. Request a duplicate from the body that issued it (€30–50, 30–60 days). The Prefettura (regional state-government office representing the central state) can verify authenticity in the ministry's system regardless.
Exam taken abroad. It counts for citizenship if issued by the same four bodies at officially affiliated centres overseas (Istituti Italiani di Cultura, Comitati Dante Alighieri). Certificates from other foreign bodies are not accepted.
Can't afford a private course. The CPIA offer free Italian L2 courses in Rome. Sign up before spending hundreds of euros at a private school. Reach B1 level through the free course, then pay only for the certification exam.
Official sources
- CILS — Università per Stranieri di Siena
- CELI Immigrati — Università per Stranieri di Perugia
- PLIDA — Società Dante Alighieri
- Cert. it. Roma Tre — Italian L2 certification
- Ministry of the Interior — Citizenship
- DL 113/2018 — Decreto Salvini
- DPR 179/2011 — Integration agreement
- CPIA Roma — Free Italian L2 courses
Legal references: DL 4 ottobre 2018 n. 113 art. 14 conv. L. 132/2018, DM 7 marzo 2012, DM Interno-Esteri-Istruzione-Università 4 giugno 2010, DPR 14 settembre 2011 n. 179, Legge 5 febbraio 1992 n. 91 artt. 5 e 9.