Do refugees or stateless people need the B1 exam for Italian citizenship?

For citizenship by residence the law requires knowledge of Italian from all applicants, and the application asks for a B1 certificate unless you are excluded (integration agreement, EU long-term permit). Stateless people can apply after 5 years of legal residence.

Art. 9 of Law 91/1992 sets 5 years of legal residence for stateless people. For refugees, the Ministry page we read does not give different language rules.

If one of the exclusions applies, you do not submit a certificate; otherwise you need at least B1. For special cases ask the Prefecture; this is our assessment.

Any foreign citizen can take CILS, with no age limit and no particular school qualification.

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, Cittadinanza per residenza (art. 9), Ministero dell'Interno, Invia la tua domanda, CILS, FAQ. Updated 13 November 2026.

Do refugees or stateless people need the B1 exam for Italian citizenship?

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