Many Italian citizenship applications, including those based on residence or marriage, require at least B1-level Italian. Etnopoint helps you register for an official exam and prepare for it.
A key step towards Italian citizenship
B1 Italian language certificate
- Immigration
Frequently asked questions
B1 certification is mainly required when applying for Italian citizenship (through residence or marriage). In some cases, you may be exempt under the law and not need a certificate.
Before registering, check whether B1 is required for your application.
has two main parts, a written test and an oral test, assessing both language skills and knowledge of Italian society and culture. Here is what each part involves:
- Written test: Includes listening comprehension, reading passages with questions, grammar and sentence structure exercises, and a short piece of writing (an email or letter).
- Speaking test: You introduce yourself, then discuss a specific topic with the examiner.
Texts and questions in the exam may cover these topics:
- Geography: Knowledge of Italy’s geography, regions, borders and major cities.
- Politics and institutions: The basic principles of the Constitution, how the state works, and citizens’ rights and duties.
- General knowledge and society: Italian history, traditions, education, work and everyday life.
Etnopoint helps you check that everything is ready before you register. You’ll generally need:
- Identity document or passport
- Tax code
- Any other details required by the certification body
- University for Foreigners of Siena: issues the CILS certificate.
- University for Foreigners of Perugia: offers the CELI certification.
- Roma Tre University: with CERT.IT. certification
- Società Dante Alighieri: offers the PLIDA certification.
- Please note: Attendance certificates issued by local councils or private schools are not valid for citizenship
- Easy registration: send us your passport and residence permit online, and we’ll handle the paperwork with the certification body.
- Focused preparation: we provide practice tests and useful materials to help you understand the exam format: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- Official exam: you take the exam in person at an approved centre, with authorised examiners.
- Results updates: we’ll let you know when your result is available and, if needed, help you use it for your citizenship application.
How we work
- Hassle-free registration: we handle the paperwork with the certification body.
- Document checks: we check that your details and required documents are correct before registering you.
- Know what to expect: we provide materials and practice tests to help you get familiar with the exam format.
- Support through to your results: we let you know when your result is available.
- Help with your citizenship application: if needed, we can also guide you through the next steps.
- Help when you need it: contact us with questions about documents or the exam session.
