CILS / CELI
The Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language (CILS) by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for university admission and Italian citizenship.
What is CILS?
The Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (CILS) is an official Italian language proficiency certification issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena. It is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and widely accepted for university admission, employment, and citizenship applications.
Officially Recognized
Recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and accepted by Italian universities and employers as proof of language proficiency.
Six CEFR Levels
Covers all six levels from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery), plus the specialized B1 Cittadinanza for citizenship applications.
Four Exam Sections
Comprehensive assessment of listening, reading, written production, and oral production skills.
CILS Certification Levels
Six proficiency levels aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Basic — Elementary proficiency
Basic — Elementary interaction
Intermediate — Independent user
Required for Italian citizenship by marriage
Upper Intermediate — University admission
Advanced — Effective proficiency
Mastery — Near-native proficiency
* We do not offer B1 Cittadinanza preparation as a separate product.
Four Exam Sections
Each CILS exam level tests four core competencies.
Listening Comprehension
Ascolto
Reading Comprehension
Lettura
Written Production
Produzione scritta
Oral Production
Produzione orale
Exam Duration by Level
Scoring by Level
A1/A2: 12 points per section, minimum 7 to pass each
B1c: 12 points per section, minimum 7 each, total 28 to pass
B1–C2: 20 points per section, minimum 11 to pass each
B1c — Italian Citizenship Exam
The CILS B1c (formerly B1-Cittadinanza) is the language certification exam required for foreign citizens seeking Italian citizenship through marriage.
As of December 4th, 2018, it is an indispensable requirement for Italian citizenship for foreign spouses of Italian citizens to demonstrate Italian language knowledge at B1 level or above.
B1c Exam Format
The exam is composed of 4 sections. The written part lasts 2 hours and 5 minutes. The oral exam lasts 10 minutes and is administered right after the written exam.
| Section | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ascolto (Listening) | 30 minutes |
| Lettura e riflessione grammaticale | 40 minutes |
| Pausa (Break) | 15 minutes |
| Produzione scritta (Writing) | 40 minutes |
| Produzione orale (Speaking) | 10 minutes |
Each section has 12 points. Candidates need a minimum of 7 points in each section to pass. Candidates who don't pass one or more sections must retake the whole exam.
Candidates must already have a good knowledge of Italian language and culture.
CILS vs CELI
Both are official Italian language certifications recognized by the Italian government.
Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera
Università per Stranieri di Siena
Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana
Università per Stranieri di Perugia
Partial Result Banking
For levels A1 through C2, if you pass some sections but fail others, your passing scores are banked for 12–18 months. You only need to retake failed sections, not the entire exam.
This does NOT apply to B1c (Cittadinanza). If you fail any section of B1c, you must retake the entire exam.
Important Exam Notes
- iExams start at 8:00am or 8:30am. Late candidates cannot be rescheduled.
- iCandidates must bring the ID used upon registration and a black pen.
- iCandidates should come unaccompanied (except for minors or medical conditions).
- iThe use of cellphones, dictionaries or notes of any kind is not allowed during the exam.
- iResults are published on the Università per Stranieri di Siena website 50 days after the exam. Paper certificates arrive by mail 3 to 6 months later.
- iCandidates cannot register for the next session until they receive the result from the previous session.
- iThe language certificate does not have an expiration date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CILS certificate valid?
The CILS language certificate does not have an expiration date. Once obtained, it is valid indefinitely.
What is the difference between CILS B1 and B1 Cittadinanza?
CILS B1 Cittadinanza (B1c) is a specialized version of the B1 exam specifically designed for Italian citizenship applications. Unlike regular CILS levels, if you fail any section of B1c you must retake the entire exam.
Can I bank partial results?
Yes, for levels A1 through C2 (excluding B1c), if you pass some sections but fail others, your passing scores are banked for 12–18 months. You only need to retake the failed sections.
How often can I take the CILS exam?
CILS exams are typically offered twice a year (June and December). You cannot register for the next session until you receive results from the previous one.
What is the difference between CILS and CELI?
Both are official Italian language certifications recognized by the Italian government. CILS is issued by the Università per Stranieri di Siena, while CELI is issued by the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. Both are equally valid for citizenship and university purposes.
How to Prepare
Preparation for the CILS exam is highly encouraged. Determine your starting level before registering.