We prepare you for the Italian exam with one-to-one lessons, just you and the teacher. Level A2 is generally required for the EU long-term residence permit and level B1 for Italian citizenship. Fill in the form on the contact page and we will get back to you.
The certificate is issued by a recognised body after the exam: the lessons prepare you, but they cannot guarantee that you will pass.
In short. We prepare you for the Italian exam with one-to-one (individual) lessons. For the EU long-term residence permit you generally need Italian at level A2; for citizenship by residence or by marriage you need level B1, to be proved with the application. There are exemptions, which depend on the case. The certificate is issued not by SH Immigration Specialists but by a recognised body after the exam, and the lessons cannot guarantee that you will pass.
Page by SH Immigration Specialists, updated 30 October 2026. We will explain the times and conditions of the lessons after your request, before any commitment.
Which Italian level do you need: A2 or B1?
EU long-term residence permit
Generally required to apply for the EU long-term residence permit, unless an exemption applies.
How it is shown. With an A2 certificate from a recognised body, with an Italian qualification, with enrolment in an Italian university course or, failing that, with the test organised by the Prefecture. The official pages are dated: check the current instructions.
Citizenship by residence or by marriage
To apply for Italian citizenship by residence (Article 9) or by marriage (Article 5 of Law 91/1992), the law requires Italian at a level not below B1 of the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
How it is shown. With a B1 certificate from a recognised body or with a qualification obtained in Italian, submitted with the application. There are exemptions, for example for the EU long-term residence permit.
B1 certificate for citizenship · Citizenship by residence · Citizenship by marriage
How to request the lessons
- Fill in the form on the contact page. Write that you want to prepare for the Italian exam, which level you need (A2 or B1) and when you plan to take the exam.
- We get back to you. We explain how the one-to-one lessons work, the times and the conditions, before any commitment.
- You prepare and take the exam. After the lessons you take the exam with a recognised body, which issues the certificate if you pass.
What to know first
- The certificate is issued by a recognised body after the exam: for the citizenship B1, for example, CILS B1 Cittadinanza (University for Foreigners of Siena), CELI 2 Immigrati (University for Foreigners of Perugia), CERT.IT B1 (Roma Tre University) and PLIDA B1 (Società Dante Alighieri). SH Immigration Specialists does not issue certificates.
- An A2 certificate does not prove B1: CELI, for example, distinguishes CELI 1 Immigrati (A2) from CELI 2 Immigrati (B1).
- The lessons help you prepare: no lesson can guarantee that you will pass. The result depends on your preparation and on the body’s assessment.
- Tests, dates, venues and fees are set by the bodies and change: see the B1 guide and their websites.
- Before booking an exam, check whether you actually need it in your case: there are exemptions, and the rules can change.
Frequently asked questions about Italian lessons for A2 and B1
How do I request the Italian lessons for A2 or B1?
Fill in the form on the contact page and write that you want to prepare for the Italian exam, which level you need (A2 or B1) and when you plan to take the exam. We will get back to you to explain how the lessons work, the times and the conditions, before any commitment.
Does SH Immigration Specialists issue the A2 or B1 certificate?
No. The certificate is issued by a recognised body after the exam. We prepare you for the exam with one-to-one lessons and we do not issue certificates.
What Italian level is required for Italian citizenship?
Level B1 of the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, for citizenship by residence (Article 9) and by marriage (Article 5 of Law 91/1992). It must be proved with the application, with a certificate from a recognised body or with a qualification obtained in Italian. There are exemptions: see the B1 guide.
What Italian level is required for the EU long-term residence permit?
In general level A2, unless an exemption applies. According to the Integrazione Migranti portal, it is shown with an A2 certificate from a recognised body, with an Italian qualification, with enrolment in an Italian university course or, failing that, with a test organised by the Prefecture. The official pages are dated: check the current instructions and the guide to the EU long-term residence permit.
Is an A2 certificate valid for citizenship?
No. The A2 for the EU long-term residence permit does not prove the B1 required for citizenship. For example, CELI distinguishes CELI 1 Immigrati (A2) from CELI 2 Immigrati (B1).
Which bodies issue the B1 certificate for citizenship?
The Ministry of the Interior’s vademecum of 23 April 2025 mentions, among others, the University for Foreigners of Siena (CILS B1 Cittadinanza), the University for Foreigners of Perugia (CELI 2 Immigrati), Roma Tre University (CERT.IT B1), the Società Dante Alighieri (PLIDA B1) and the University for Foreigners of Reggio Calabria. Tests, dates, venues and fees change: see the B1 guide.
What does one-to-one mean?
Individual lessons: just you and the teacher, to prepare you for the Italian exam. We will explain the format and times after your request.
How much do the lessons cost?
We will tell you the cost after your request, before any commitment.
Will the lessons get me the certificate?
No. The certificate is obtained by passing the exam of a recognised body. The lessons help you prepare and do not guarantee the result.
Do I have to take the Italian exam?
It depends on your case. There are exemptions (for example for people with an EU long-term residence permit who apply for citizenship) and some qualifications obtained in Italian can serve as proof of B1. The details are in the B1 guide for citizenship.
Are there public Italian courses?
Yes: CPIA centres (provincial centres for adult education) organise Italian courses for adult foreigners. Ask the CPIA in your province which courses are available and on what terms.
Official sources
The information on levels and exemptions comes from the B1 guide, which is based on these sources (consulted on 28 October 2026):
- Law 132/2018 and consolidated Decree-Law 113/2018 (Article 14, new Article 9.1 of Law 91/1992) – Gazzetta Ufficiale
- Vademecum on granting Italian citizenship (circular 20475 of 23 April 2025) – Ministry of the Interior
- Certification (CLIQ) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Italian test for the long-term residence permit – Integrazione Migranti
For tests, dates and fees, also read the websites of the certifying bodies. Prefecture and consulate pages can be older than the law: always check the current instructions of the competent office.
Useful guides
- B1 Italian language certificate for citizenship: exams, bodies and exemptions
- Italian citizenship by residence: years, B1, income
- Italian citizenship by marriage: requirements
- EU long-term residence permit in Italy
- Types of Italian citizenship: how to get it, requirements and guides
The lessons help you prepare for the exam and cannot guarantee that you will pass: the certificate is issued by the body. The exam information is general and your case may have particular features. The outcome depends on the competent bodies and offices.
Do you want to prepare for the Italian exam with one-to-one lessons?
Fill in the form on the contact page and write the level you need (A2 or B1): we will get back to you. For other assistance requests, use the same form.