General information of the certifications of Italian as a Foreign Language
There are several certifications of proficiency in Italian as a foreign language offered by Italian universities.
They are addressed to citizens of foreign countries, people with Italian roots living abroad and foreign immigrants living in Italy.
Please click on the below links for further details on the exams offered by each university:
Siena University for Foreigners (CILS) – Calendar of exams HERE
Perugia University for ForeignersPerugia University for Foreigners (CELI) – List of exam centres HERE
Società “Dante Alighieri” (PLIDA)
Equivalence between the Certifications and the Common European Framework
| CEFRL | Perugia University for Foreigners | Siena University for Foreigners | RomaTre University | Dante Alighieri |
| LEVEL C2 Command |
CELI 5 | CILS Quattro-C2 | IT | PLIDA C2 |
| LEVEL C1 Advanced |
CELI 4 | CILS Tre-C1 | —— | PLIDA C1 |
| LEVEL B2 Higher Intermediate |
CELI 3 | CILS Due B2 | —— | PLIDA B2 |
| LEVEL B1* Intermediate |
CELI 2 | CILS Uno B1 | ele.IT | PLIDA B1 |
| LEVEL A2 Elementary |
CELI 1 | CILS A2 | —— | PLIDA A2 |
| LEVEL A1 Basic |
CELI IMPATTO | CILS A1 | —— | PLIDA A1 |
*As of December 4, 2018 (Italian law No. 132, of December 1, 2018) an adequate knowledge of the Italian language is required for obtaining Italian citizenship pursuant to art. 5 and 9 of Law 91/1992. Adequate knowledge is defined to be no less than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Fulfillment of this requirement is met by the acquisition of a title/certification issued by an institution of public education/educational institution or a certification issued by an authorized/recognized certifying body.