Italian citizenship will not only reconnect with your heritage and help you build a future in Italy. It will also grant you access to excellent healthcare and education in the country, the right to vote, and the freedom to live and work everywhere across the EU.
The process for getting citizenship has always been pretty easy (if one does have all the documents needed). However, since 2018, most participants have an additional step to clear: proving their knowledge of the Italian language. More specifically, to get your citizenship, you must pass the Italian citizenship language test at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
To put it briefly, the Italian government introduced the language test to make sure new citizens are fully able to integrate into Italian life. After all, you cannot expect to become a citizen in the country if you cannot communicate with neighbors, colleagues, doctors, teachers, or the local authorities!
More specifically, they chose to ask for a B1 because it represents a middle ground. At this level, indeed, you are not limited to tourist phrases and simple introductions but you’re also not completely fluent. Basically, it’s a level that attests you can handle most daily situations and explain yourself, even if you make occasional mistakes.
Everyone applying for Italian citizenship by marriage or because they’ve been legally living in Italy for ten years (or less in some special cases) will be asked to take the Italian citizenship language test. On the other hand, if you are claiming citizenship by descent through the Jus Sanguinis you won’t have to take the exam. That’s because in this case citizenship is not granted but recognized.
As we said before, to meet the requirement you have to demonstrate B1 level proficiency. Here’s what that means in simple terms:
The test is structured to evaluate all the skills you need when learning and using a language. It does vary slightly depending on what exam you take, but the general structure remains the following one:
As you can see, there’s no grammar and vocabulary section. That’s because they are tested in all sections, more specifically in writing and speaking tasks.
The Italian government will accept certificates from the institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education (MIUR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI):
All these institutions offer a B1 exam specifically designed for the citizenship process. And while their names differ, they are all equally valid for submitting your application.
The Italian citizenship language exam is offered both in Italy and abroad at approved test centers such as cultural institutes or language schools affiliated with the institutions listed above.
As for the “when”, exams are offered multiple times a year, normally in February, June, October, and December. However, since the spaces fill up quickly and the registration deadlines are typically a month before the test date, it’s better to plan far ahead.
Yes, if you don’t pass the exam you register again for a session at a later date. But note that, unlike some language exams where partial results can be carried over, the Italian citizenship language exam must be retaken in full if you happen to fail it. Also, each attempt will require a new registration and fee.
While you don’t need to attend a special course to take the exam (especially if you’re already fluent in Italian), preparation is still crucial. Here’s all you have to know!
To be prepared for the exam, you should be comfortable discussing the following topics:
To pass the Italian citizenship language exam, you should master the following:
Before the day of the exam, make sure to prepare fully by doing mock tests, especially under timed conditions. Many exam centers will provide you with past papers if asked and, trust me, knowing its structure will reduce anxiety on the day of the official exam.
Some schools and Italian cultural institutes offer preparation courses (both online and offline) specific to the citizenship language exam as well as standard B1 courses. If you don’t feel sure you can pass the exam on your own, check them out. And if “going to school” is not for you, you might consider taking a few lessons with a private tutor to build up the confidence you need to pass the exam!
To pass the citizenship test, you’ll need to achieve a minimum score in every single section. Not just an overall score. Since they vary depending on the exam itself, make sure to check with the institution for correct and up-to-date information!
The full exam normally takes more than 2 hours, with breaks between sections. Out of those, the oral exam is the shortest part, normally taking about 10-15 minutes.
Even if your Italian is already excellent, to get your citizenship you will still need to have an official certificate from one of the recognized institutions.
Alongside your B1 certificate, you’ll need documents such as your birth certificate, a criminal record check, proof of marriage (if applying by marriage), and your spouse’s ID. You’ll also need proof of payment of the application fee to the consulate or Ministry of the Interior.
There’s no easier exam and students generally choose depending on the availability of test centers in their area. However, since the structure and the exercises varies slightly depending on the exam, you might still want to check some past exams and go with the one you like more!
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