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Which B1 Italian certificates are accepted for citizenship besides CILS?

The Ministry asks for a certificate showing Italian at "not lower than B1". Besides CILS, certificates from members of the CLIQ association, such as CELI, PLIDA and CERT.IT, are common. Check that the body is recognised before you register.

The Ministry page does not list individual certifying bodies; it only says the certificate must be at least B1.

CILS is a member of the CLIQ association of Italian certifying bodies. That CELI, PLIDA and CERT.IT are accepted like CILS is our assessment based on practice; if in doubt ask the Prefecture.

Any level of B1 or higher counts, including B2, C1 and C2.

Note: there is no complete official rule on this. Anything beyond the sources listed is our own assessment; the exam centre or the competent office decides.

Sources: Ministero dell'Interno, Invia la tua domanda, CILS, Iscrizione agli esami. Updated 13 November 2026.

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