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Certifications of Italian language proficiency

Foreign citizens who hold a valid residence permit and are over the age of 14, if they wish to apply for a Residence Card (i.e. the EU long-term residence permit), must pass an Italian language test certifying an A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), as established by the Council of Europe.

The application to take the test must be submitted online to the competent Prefecture, based on the applicant’s place of residence, through the website of the Italian Ministry of the Interior.

Foreign nationals are exempt from the test if they hold a certificate issued by one of the following institutions:

  • University for Foreigners of Siena
  • University for Foreigners of Perugia
  • Roma Tre University
  • Società Dante Alighieri
  • or if they have passed the Italian language test for immigrants at a CPIA (Adult Education Centre)

Furthermore, B1 and B2 level certifications are required for admission to most Italian universities for international students wishing to attend degree programmes taught in Italian.

Below are the internationally recognised Italian language certifications:

CILS

Italian as a Foreign Language Certification http://cils.unistrasi.it

The CILS exams issued by the  University for Foreigners of Siena certify general proficiency in Italian, assessing all communicative and linguistic skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking, as well as knowledge of Italian language structures). They are structured across the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference and also include tests designed for children, teenagers and immigrants with limited formal education. Exams take place in June and December at centres in Italy and abroad.

CELI

Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language
http://www.cvcl.it

The University for Foreigners of Perugia issues the CELI certificates, which are also structured across the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. In addition to the standard certifications, there are exams designed for teenagers and immigrants with limited formal education, as well as the CIC exams, aimed at individuals working, or intending to work, in business and organisational environments where knowledge of the Italian language is required. The exams are held in three annual sessions (spring, summer and autumn) both in Italy and abroad.

IT - Roma 3

Italian as a Foreign Language Certification
https://certificazioneitaliano.uniroma3.it/

The Roma Tre University offers five exam levels, as the C1 level is not included. The examination system is aligned with the corresponding levels of the Common European Framework of Reference and is based on authentic real-life Italian language use. Exam sessions take place at different times of the year depending on the selected level.

PLIDA

PLIDA – Dante Alighieri Italian Language Project
http://www.societadantealighieri.org/it/plida

The PLIDA certificates issued by the Società Dante Alighieri, are structured across six levels, according to the scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The exams take place twice a year, and registration must be completed one month before the exam date. They are held at authorised centres worldwide.

AIL

Italian Language Academy
www.acad.it

The Firenze exams offered by the Italian Language Academy (AIL) are structured across the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference and also include tests designed for immigrants with limited formal education. Although AIL is not among the certifications officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education, an increasing number of universities accept the Firenze exams as valid requirements for enrolment.

There are also exams specifically designed for business Italian certification (DILC and DALC). Since 2007, the DILC – B1 exam has been recognised by the Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology as the final exam for Italian as a second national language in all commercial vocational schools in Switzerland.

Exams are held four times a year, both in Italy and abroad, at authorised examination centres.

Many ASILS schools offer preparation courses for Italian language certification exams and are authorised examination centres.