Who does not need to submit a B1 certificate for Italian citizenship?
According to the Ministry of the Interior, people who signed the integration agreement and holders of the EU long-term residence permit are excluded from the B1 certificate requirement.
On its "submit your application" page the Ministry lists the B1 certificate among the documents, with these two exclusions.
Other situations (for example Italian school qualifications) are not described on that page: ask the Prefecture before applying without a certificate. This is our assessment.
A B2, C1 or C2 certificate is also fine: the requirement is a level not lower than B1.
Sources: Ministero dell'Interno, Invia la tua domanda. Updated 13 November 2026.
Next steps
More questions
- When do CILS B1 Cittadinanza results come out?
- How do I check my CILS result online?
- I failed the CILS B1 Cittadinanza: what happens now?
- What is the pass mark for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza?
- Does the CILS B1 certificate expire?
- Where do I collect my CILS certificate?
- Can I appeal my CILS result?
- Can I see my CILS exam papers?
- How do I register for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza?
- How much does the CILS B1 Cittadinanza cost?
- Can I take the B1 citizenship exam online?
- I have a disability or health problem: can I get adjustments for the CILS?
- Who can take the CILS?
- Where can I take the B1 citizenship exam?
- How many words for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing task?
- How long is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam?
- Are the recordings played twice in the CILS B1 Cittadinanza listening test?
- Do you lose points for wrong answers in the CILS B1?
- I have a B2 or C1 certificate: is it OK for citizenship?
- How long does Italian citizenship take after applying?
- Do I need a PEC address for the citizenship application?
- Can I take CILS B1 Cittadinanza abroad?
- If I cannot attend the CILS exam, can I get a refund or change the date?
- Where can I find the answers to the CILS B1 Cittadinanza sample test?
- How do you fill in the CILS B1 Cittadinanza answer sheet?
- How are writing and speaking marked in CILS B1 Cittadinanza?
- What is the difference between CILS B1 Cittadinanza and standard CILS B1?
- Does the spouse of an Italian citizen need B1 for citizenship?
- Do I need B1 for Italian citizenship by residence?
- What documents do I need to register for and sit CILS B1 Cittadinanza?
- What can I bring to the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam (dictionary, phone)?
- What does the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam look like?
- What is the listening part of CILS B1 Cittadinanza like?
- I lost my CILS certificate: how do I get it back?
- I cannot read and write well: can I take the B1 exam for citizenship?
- Do minor children need a B1 certificate for Italian citizenship?
- Do older people need the B1 exam for Italian citizenship?
- How does the CILS B1 Cittadinanza speaking test work?
- What topics come up in the CILS B1 Cittadinanza speaking test?
- Which B1 Italian certificates are accepted for citizenship besides CILS?
- Does the CILS B1 Cittadinanza certificate count for the long-term residence permit?
- What is the reading part of CILS B1 Cittadinanza like?
- Do refugees or stateless people need the B1 exam for Italian citizenship?
- Does an Italian school diploma or CPIA certificate count instead of a B1 certificate?
- How do I submit the citizenship application with the B1 certificate?
- Can I take CILS B1 Cittadinanza with a special residence permit or as an asylum seeker?
- What do you have to write in the CILS B1 Cittadinanza writing part?
- How do I correct a name error on my CILS certificate?