Italian B1 exam for citizenship: what it is, cost and exemptions
According to art. 9.1 of Law 91/1992 and the Ministry of the Interior (sources read on 31 October 2026), people who apply for Italian citizenship by residence or by marriage must show that they know Italian at level B1 or higher, with a certificate from a recognised body or a school qualification. Here is how the exam works, in plain English.
Who has to take it, and who is exempt
The B1 requirement applies to citizenship by residence and by marriage. According to the law and the Ministry, you do not have to present the certificate if you signed the integration agreement (accordo di integrazione), if you hold the EU long-term residence permit (the carta di soggiorno), or if you have serious limitations in learning the language certified by a public health facility. A school qualification taken in Italian can replace the certificate. All exemptions, with sources.
The 4 main exam bodies
| Body | Exam for citizenship | Centres in Italy | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| CILS University for Foreigners of Siena | CILS B1 Cittadinanza (also CILS B1 standard) | 375 | dates, cost, results |
| CELI University for Foreigners of Perugia | CELI 2 i cittadinanza, only in Italy (also CELI 2) | 155 | dates, cost, results |
| PLIDA Società Dante Alighieri | PLIDA B1 | 81 | dates, cost, results |
| CERT.IT Roma Tre University | CERT.IT B1 (A2/B1 session) | 32 | dates, cost, results |
The Ministry of the Interior's Vademecum (2025) also lists a fifth body, the University for Foreigners «Dante Alighieri» of Reggio Calabria. Any certificate at B1 or higher from a recognised body is valid; the next exam is on 11 November 2026 (CELI): all dates.
How to register
- Choose a date from the exam calendar.
- Choose an exam centre in your city: centres by city (list in Italian, with addresses and contacts).
- Contact the centre: it tells you the price, the documents and the last day to register. Some centres close registrations before the national deadline.
- Pay and keep the receipt. On exam day bring a valid identity document.
How long the exam lasts
First the written part (listening, reading, writing), then a short speaking test with an examiner, usually on the same day.
| Exam | Parts and time | In total |
|---|---|---|
| CILS | Listening: about 30 min Reading: 40 min (with grammar) Writing: 40 min Speaking: about 10 min | about 2 h (sum of the parts) |
| CELI | Listening: 20 min Reading, writing: 2 hours (reading and writing together) Speaking: 10-12 min | 2 h 30 min (official figure) |
| PLIDA | Listening: about 40 min Reading: 40 min Writing: 60 min Speaking: about 15 min | about 2 h 35 min (sum of the parts) |
| CERT.IT | Listening, reading, writing: 90 min in total (the three parts together) Speaking: 10 min | 1 h 40 min (sum of the parts) |
Can you take the exam online?
No. The exam is taken in person at an exam centre: PLIDA says so in its official FAQ, CILS and CELI ask you to come with an identity document, and the CERT.IT speaking test is in person. At Roma Tre the CERT.IT B1 written part is done on a computer, but always at the centre.
Cost, results and sample papers
The CILS B1 Cittadinanza costs €100 everywhere; the CERT.IT B1 costs €80 at Roma Tre; for CELI and PLIDA each centre sets the price. All prices · When results arrive · Free official sample papers.
Prepare for the speaking test
The speaking test is the part that worries many people. It helps to talk often with a native-speaker teacher, even online. On italki you choose an Italian teacher, take one-to-one lessons and pay per lesson.
Books to prepare for the B1 exam on Amazon.it
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Frequently asked questions
Who has to take the B1 Italian exam?
People applying for Italian citizenship by residence or by marriage, unless they are exempt (for example holders of the EU long-term residence permit). A school qualification in Italian can replace the certificate. The Prefecture decides.
Is the CILS or the CELI easier?
We do not rank the exams. They differ in length, structure and price: compare the parts in the table on this page and the sample papers of each body.
Can I take the exam online?
No. All four bodies hold the exam in person at an exam centre.
Does the B1 certificate expire?
The CELI and CILS certificates have no expiry date, according to their official pages. For your application, the Prefecture decides which certificate is valid.
More guides
In italiano: Esame B1 cittadinanza: come funziona