Short answer
If you apply for Italian citizenship by marriage or by residence, you must prove Italian at level B1 or higher with a certificate from a recognised certifier, unless you are exempt1. The Interior Ministry recognises five bodies: Siena (CILS), Perugia (CELI), Roma Tre (CERT.IT), the Società Dante Alighieri (PLIDA) and the Università per Stranieri "Dante Alighieri" di Reggio Calabria2. All of them are equally valid, and a higher level (B2, C1) from a recognised body is also fine1. Certificates from other schools are not accepted3,4.
Which exam to take at each certifier
| Certifier | Exam to take | Is it accepted for citizenship? |
|---|---|---|
| Università per Stranieri di Siena | CILS B1 Cittadinanza, or the standard CILS B1 (UNO-B1) | Siena is on the Ministry's list2. Siena's FAQ says B1 is the level "richiesto anche per la cittadinanza italiana"5. Italian Cultural Institutes abroad say the standard B1 also meets the requirement; Siena's own pages do not say so, so confirm with your consulate or prefecture6,7. |
| Università per Stranieri di Perugia (CVCL) | CELI 2 i Cittadinanza (Italy only) or the standard CELI 2 (the route abroad) | CVCL says its three B1 types are valid for citizenship: CELI 2, CELI 2 i and CELI 2 a for teenagers8. CELI 2 i runs only at Italian centres9. |
| Società Dante Alighieri | PLIDA B1 (adult). There is no separate citizenship version | The Dante's FAQ says the PLIDA B1 certificate is valid for a citizenship application10. PLIDA Juniores B1 is a different exam, for ages 13–1811. |
| Università Roma Tre | CERT.IT B1. There is no separate citizenship version | Roma Tre is on the Ministry's list2. Its B1 page presents the exam in the context of the citizenship rule but does not state "valid for citizenship" in so many words12. |
| Università per Stranieri "Dante Alighieri" di Reggio Calabria | Not covered on this site | It is on the Ministry's 2025 list2; some older official pages list only the first four bodies13. |
Two details to know. The CILS B1 Cittadinanza certificate is valid only for citizenship, according to the exam centres in Padova and Venice, not for university or work14,15. And the certificate can also be obtained through a CPIA, a public adult-education centre2.
Who needs a certificate, and who does not
| Your situation | Do you need a B1 certificate? |
|---|---|
| Applying by marriage (article 5) or by residence (article 9) | Yes, unless one of the cases below applies1 |
| The newer 2025 residence routes (descendants of an Italian citizen, people born in Italy) | Yes: they are article 9 applications16,1 |
| EU citizen, or holder of a family-member residence card | Yes: the Ministry says you must still prove B12 |
| You hold an Italian EU long-term residence permit | No: exempt by law1 |
| You signed the integration agreement (accordo di integrazione) | No: exempt by law1 |
| A public health facility certifies serious limitations in learning a language (age, illness, disability) | No: exempt since the Constitutional Court's ruling 25/202517 |
| You hold a qualification from an Italian school, obtained in Italian, from lower secondary upwards | No certificate, because the qualification is accepted as proof instead1,2 |
| Recognition of citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) | The law sets no B1 requirement for it; confirm the documents with your consulate1 |
Every exemption has conditions (for example, the long-term permit must have been issued by Italy). They are explained with official links in who needs B1 and who is exempt.
When you need the certificate
You prove B1 when you file the application1. Some consulates accept only the final certificate, not a provisional result: São Paulo, for example, asks for the definitive certificate with its QR code18. Results take from about two to five months depending on the exam, so count backwards from the date you want to file: see how long B1 results take.
Next steps
- Compare the four exams on sessions, writing tasks and retake rules: which certificate should I choose.
- See what each one costs: B1 exam cost per certifier.
- Read the exam structure side by side: B1 exam format compared.
- Read the full guides: CILS, CELI 2 i, PLIDA and CERT.IT.
Frequently asked questions
Which B1 certificates are accepted for Italian citizenship?
Certificates from the bodies on the Interior Ministry's list: CILS (Siena), CELI (Perugia), CERT.IT (Roma Tre), PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri) and the Università per Stranieri "Dante Alighieri" di Reggio Calabria. The level must be B1 or higher. Check with your prefecture or consulate.
Is a B2 or C1 certificate accepted instead of B1?
Yes, if it comes from a recognised certifier. The law asks for Italian at a level not lower than B1.
Is PLIDA B1 valid for citizenship?
Yes. The Società Dante Alighieri's FAQ says the PLIDA B1 certificate is valid for a citizenship application, and the Ministry lists the Dante among the recognised bodies. You take the standard adult PLIDA B1.
Do I have to take CILS B1 Cittadinanza, or is the standard CILS B1 enough?
Siena offers B1 Cittadinanza for citizenship applicants. Italian Cultural Institutes abroad say the standard CILS B1 is also accepted, but Siena's own pages do not say so, so confirm with your consulate or prefecture before you book.
Is a certificate from a language school or an online course valid?
No. Only certificates from the recognised bodies count, or a qualification from an Italian school. Consulates write that other certifications are not accepted.
Do I need a B1 certificate if I am married to an Italian citizen?
Yes, if you apply for citizenship by marriage, unless you are exempt (for example, you hold an Italian EU long-term residence permit or signed the integration agreement) or you prove B1 with an Italian school qualification obtained in Italian.
Does a B1 certificate expire?
CILS certificates currently have no expiry date, and CELI certificates have none as long as the certification system is in force. The PLIDA and CERT.IT pages we read do not say whether their certificates expire. We found no time limit in the Ministry's guidance, but ask your prefecture or consulate if your certificate is old5,19.