Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (CILS)
by Università per Stranieri di Siena
Does not expire
Relocation Pathways
| Country | Purpose | Requirement | Visa / Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Citizenship | B1 (CILS B1 Cittadinanza or CILS UNO-B1) | — |
| Italy | Residency | A2 (CILS A2 Integrazione) for long-term residence permit | — |
| Italy | University | B2 (CILS DUE-B2) for Italian-taught programs | — |
Levels & Pricing (USD)
- CILS A1~$1202h
- CILS A2~$1202h
- CILS A2 Integrazione~$1202h
- CILS UNO-B1~$1803h
- CILS B1 Cittadinanza~$1702h 40m
- CILS DUE-B2~$1903h 30m
- CILS TRE-C1~$2205h
- CILS QUATTRO-C2~$2505h 30m
Dates & Locations
Main sessions in June and December. Additional sessions for citizenship and residency variants.
Why Take CILS?
Italian Citizenship
CILS B1 Cittadinanza is required for Italian citizenship by residence or marriage under Law 132/2018. This specialized variant has 4 sections and must be passed in a single sitting.
Long-Term Residency
CILS A2 Integrazione is required for the EU long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per soggiornanti di lungo periodo) after 5 years of legal residence in Italy.
University Admission
CILS DUE-B2 is the standard requirement for Italian-taught university programs. It is the most widely used Italian language certificate for university admissions.
Exam Structure
Listening
Reading
Vocabulary & Grammar
Writing
Speaking
Free Practice Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam?
The CILS B1 Cittadinanza is a specialized B1 exam designed specifically for Italian citizenship applications. It has 4 sections (listening, reading and grammar, writing, speaking) with a total of 48 points. You need at least 28 points overall with a minimum of 7 per section. All sections must be passed in one sitting.
What is the difference between CILS and CELI?
CILS is administered by the University of Siena and CELI by the University of Perugia. Both are recognized by the Italian government for citizenship and residency applications. CILS is slightly more common internationally, while CELI has a strong presence within Italy.
Do CILS certificates expire?
No. CILS certificates are valid for life. Once obtained, the certificate is permanently valid for citizenship applications, residency permits, and university admissions.
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