The CILS B1 Cittadinanza (CILS B1 for Citizenship) is a special version of the CILS B1 exam, created by the Università per Stranieri di Siena for people applying for Italian citizenship. Since December 2018, anyone applying for citizenship by marriage or by residence must prove at least a B1 level of Italian, and this exam is one of the most popular ways to do it.
In short
- 4 sections, 6 tasks: listening, reading and grammar, writing and speaking
- About 2 hours in total, including a 10-minute oral exam
- You must pass every section: if you fail one, you retake the whole exam (no partial credit is kept)
- Results in about 2 months; the fee is around €100
- Valid only for citizenship applications
- Six sessions a year. Next: 3 December 2026, then 18 February 2027
Jump to
What does B1 mean in Italian?
B1 is the “intermediate” level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). At B1 you are an independent user of Italian, which means you can:
- understand the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics
- handle most situations you meet while living or traveling in Italy
- write simple connected texts on topics you know
- describe experiences, events, hopes and plans
- briefly explain your opinions and give reasons
In short: you can manage everyday conversations, read simple articles, write a basic email and get by in daily life in Italy without constant help.
B1 Cittadinanza vs. B1 standard
The CILS B1 Cittadinanza is shorter than the standard B1 and focuses on practical, everyday Italian: dealing with public offices, housing, health, work and life in Italy. But there are important differences:
| B1 Cittadinanza | B1 standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | 4 (6 tasks) | 5 (14 tasks) |
| Valid for | citizenship only | citizenship, study and work |
| Sessions | 6 a year | June and December |
| If you fail a section | retake the whole exam | keep the passed sections for 18 months |
| Results | about 2 months | about 3 months |
Learn Italian the Smart Way
Before diving into actual exam preparation, make sure you’ve built a solid foundation in Italian grammar. You should first reach a strong A1–A2 level, which you can achieve through a course at a language school, with a teacher, or even through self-study. Once you’re confident at the A2 level, you can begin working toward B1 proficiency and focus specifically on the requirements of the CILS B1 for Citizenship exam.
How long does it take to prepare?
The time you need depends on your starting level, your experience with other Romance languages, how many hours you study each week and how you study. As a general guideline:
- Starting from zero: about 350 to 400 hours of study
- With a Romance language (Spanish, French, Portuguese): about 250 to 300 hours
- With some Italian basics: about 150 to 200 hours
Most students need 6 to 12 months of regular study to feel comfortable at B1. With intensive study (15 to 20 hours a week), motivated learners can get there in 3 to 4 months.
The exam format
| Section | Tasks | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascolto (listening) | 2 | 30 minutes | Two recordings, each played twice: multiple choice and choosing the true statements |
| Lettura e riflessione grammaticale (reading and grammar) | 2 | 40 minutes | Find the true statements about a text, then complete a text choosing the right words |
| Produzione scritta (writing) | 1 | 40 minutes | An email or message of 80 to 120 words, choosing one of two prompts |
| Produzione orale (speaking) | 1 | about 10 minutes | A short self-presentation, then a conversation on a topic you choose |
Writing prompts are practical, for example an email to your landlord about moving out, or to a school principal about the school canteen. In the oral exam you might talk about life in the city vs. the countryside, healthcare in Italy and in your country, or the documents you need for citizenship.
Passing the exam and getting your results
- To get the certificate you must pass all four sections.
- Unlike the standard CILS, there is no capitalization: if you fail even one section, you have to retake (and pay for) the whole exam.
- Your papers are sent to the Università per Stranieri di Siena. Results are usually published online about 40 to 45 working days after they arrive, so roughly two months after the exam.
- The certificate doesn’t expire, but it’s valid only for citizenship applications.
B1 grammar topics
| Topic | Example |
|---|---|
| Definite and indefinite articles | il, lo, la; un, uno, una |
| Comparatives and superlatives | più grande di, il più bello |
| Direct and indirect object pronouns | lo, la, gli, le |
| Possessives | il mio, la tua |
| Indefinites | ogni, nessuno, qualche, ciascuno |
| Simple and articulated prepositions | di, a, da; del, al, dal |
| Irregular verbs | venire, dare, fare, stare, bere, dire, sapere |
| Modal and reflexive verbs | devo andare, mi alzo, mi devo alzare |
| Present, passato prossimo and imperfetto | vado, sono andato, andavo |
| Imperative | Vieni! Non preoccuparti! |
| Present conditional | vorrei, potrei |
| Adverbs of time, quantity and place | sempre, molto, qui |
B1 speaking topics
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Personal information | family, biography, interests |
| Daily life | home, food, shopping, transportation |
| Work and study | your job, education, career |
| Public services | health, banks, post office, public offices |
| Current events | simple news, social issues, the environment |
| Italian culture | customs, holidays, food |
| Citizenship | documents, procedures, rights and duties |
Books and sample exams
Once you reach an intermediate level in Italian, you can start training for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza certification. The best strategy is to use a textbook that includes sample exams, like the one below: It will give you a clear idea of the test format and help you practice effectively.
Practicing on an official-style exam is the best way to get used to the format and the timing:
Dates and exam centers
The B1 Cittadinanza has six sessions a year. In 2026 they are 19 February, 14 April, 16 June, 22 July, 21 October and 3 December. The first 2027 sessions announced by exam centers are 18 February, 8 April and 10 June. Register with your center at least a month in advance, and always check the official CILS calendar.
You can take the exam at authorized centers in Italy and abroad, such as universities, Italian Cultural Institutes and language schools. Find one near you in my list of CILS exam centers.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam?
About two hours: 30 minutes of listening, 40 minutes of reading and grammar, 40 minutes of writing and about 10 minutes of speaking.
What happens if I fail one part of the CILS B1 Cittadinanza?
There is no capitalization for this exam: if you fail even one section, you have to retake and pay for the whole exam.
How long does it take to get the CILS B1 Cittadinanza results?
Results are usually published about 40 to 45 working days after the papers reach the Università per Stranieri di Siena, so roughly two months after the exam.
Can I use the CILS B1 Cittadinanza for work or university?
No. It is valid only for Italian citizenship applications. For study or work you need the standard CILS B1 or higher.
Reading in Italian is one of the best ways to reach B1. In Incontri in Sicilia, Fiona travels to Sicily to look for her family roots and the documents she needs for citizenship: a story many of my readers recognize themselves in. Here are three stories at the right level:
