CILS — Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (Italian)

Open to all; A1–C2; CILS is officially issued by University of Siena (authorised by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs); exams held in June and December ONLY

CILS is Italy's government-authorised language test. B1 is required for Italian citizenship (naturalisation route) and permanent residence. Only 2 exam windows per year — poor planning means a 6-month wait. Critical for Italian diaspora reconnection.

B1 CILS required for Italian long-term residence permit and Italian citizenship (naturalisation); B2 minimum for Italian university admission; C1/C2 for professional employment; Italian nationality process (8 years residency route)