The CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is an Italian language proficiency certification developed and issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena (Università per Stranieri di Siena). CILS certifies proficiency in Italian as a foreign language across six levels aligned to the CEFR — from A1 (CILS Uno-A1) to C2 (CILS Quattro-C2) — and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italian universities, and the Italian Ministry of the Interior for residency and citizenship purposes. CILS certificates do not expire and are valid for life.

Programs and Structure

CILS has six examination levels:

• CILS Uno-A1: Basic proficiency for survival communication.
• CILS Uno-A2: Elementary proficiency; required for some Italian long-stay visa renewals.
• CILS Due-B1: Intermediate proficiency; required for Italian long-term residency permits (permesso di soggiorno CE) and elective residency visas.
• CILS Due-B2: Upper-intermediate; required for Italian citizenship by naturalization under Decree No. 113/2024 (B2 minimum from 2025).
• CILS Tre-C1: Advanced; recognized for university admission and professional credentialing.
• CILS Quattro-C2: Near-native; highest proficiency level.

Each level exam assesses five components: Listening, Reading, Writing, Grammar and Vocabulary, and Speaking. Each component is scored separately; passing requires meeting minimum thresholds on each component. Speaking is assessed through a live oral examination with an examiner at a certified exam center.

CILS is offered twice yearly (June and December) at authorized exam centers in Italy and at Italian Cultural Institutes and partner institutions worldwide.

History

The University for Foreigners of Siena has been involved in Italian language instruction for international learners since its founding in 1917, making it one of the oldest institutions dedicated to Italian language and culture promotion abroad. The CILS examination was developed in the 1990s as a systematic certification framework, and was formally aligned to the CEFR following the Framework’s publication in 2001.

CILS operates in parallel with the CELI (Certificato di conoscenza della Lingua Italiana), issued by the University for Foreigners of Perugia, and PLIDA, issued by the Dante Alighieri Society. All three are recognized by the Italian government for immigration and citizenship purposes, but CILS (Siena) and CELI (Perugia) are the two most widely recognized internationally.

Italy’s updated citizenship by naturalization law, effective from 2025, introduced a mandatory B2 Italian proficiency requirement — leading to a significant increase in demand for CILS Due-B2 and equivalent certifications.

Practical Application

CILS is one of the most widely used Italian language certifications for immigration purposes. Key use cases:

• Long-term residency permit (permesso CE): Requires B1 (CILS Due-B1 or equivalent).
• Italian citizenship by naturalization: Requires B2 (CILS Due-B2 or equivalent) from 2025.
• Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis): Language proficiency requirements depend on specific consulate requirements; B1–B2 range commonly expected.
• University admission: Italian universities may require CILS Tre-C1 for Italian-language graduate programs.

CILS is available globally at Italian Cultural Institutes and partner institutions, making it accessible to learners who may not be based in Italy. The twice-yearly schedule requires advance planning, particularly for candidates targeting a specific immigration application deadline.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that CILS, CELI, and PLIDA are equivalent for all Italian immigration purposes. While all three are generally recognized by Italian immigration authorities for residency and citizenship, specific government bodies or individual consulates may have preferences or requirements. Applicants should verify which certifications are accepted for their specific application pathway.

Another misconception is that reaching conversational Italian fluency automatically translates to passing CILS exams. CILS is a comprehensive, production-based exam testing writing, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary in structured formats; conversational ability without systematic preparation for exam task types may not be sufficient.

Some learners assume CILS Uno-A1 meets the B1 or B2 requirements for Italian immigration. The level requirements are explicit: long-term residency requires B1 minimum and citizenship (from 2025) requires B2 minimum — lower-level CILS certificates do not satisfy these thresholds.

Social Media Sentiment

CILS is discussed in Italian language learning communities and Italian diaspora immigration forums, particularly in communities of people pursuing Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), long-term residency, or naturalization. The 2025 B2 citizenship requirement has significantly increased discussion volume.

Sentiment in learner communities is generally positive toward CILS as a rigorous and well-recognized certification. The twice-yearly exam schedule and global availability at Cultural Institutes are frequently cited as practical strengths. Critical discussions focus on the preparation required for the speaking and writing components, which require more than passive fluency, and on the challenges of scheduling exams far in advance when immigration timelines are uncertain.

Italian diaspora communities in South America (particularly Brazil and Argentina) are among the most active in discussing CILS for citizenship purposes, as Italian heritage communities in those countries have high rates of Italian citizenship by descent applications.

Last updated: 2025-05

Related Terms

• CELI
• PLIDA
• CEFR
• Language Certification
• Italian Language

See Also

• Sakubo — Japanese words, grammar, and kanji

Research

• Vedovelli, M. (2011). Guida all’italiano per stranieri. Carocci.
  Summary: Comprehensive guide to Italian as a foreign language methodology and assessment, authored by the rector of the University for Foreigners of Siena (developer of CILS); directly addresses the pedagogical and assessment framework underlying the CILS certification system and its alignment with CEFR-based proficiency descriptors.
• Pallotti, G. (2007). An operational definition of the emergence criterion. Applied Linguistics, 28(3), 361–382.
  Summary: Examines acquisition sequences in Italian as a second language and provides a methodology for operationalizing emergence of grammatical features; relevant to understanding the construct validity of level distinctions in Italian proficiency assessments including CILS, particularly the grammar and vocabulary components at B1–C1 levels.