Italian citizenship application: the B1 language requirement
Many of our readers have asked us if the B1 level knowledge of the Italian language is a requirement for all applications by marriage.
Here’s what you need to know.
If you applied before the new Law no. 132/2018 entered into force, or if you hold a long-term EU residency permit, you will not need to pass the language test.
Art. 9.1-1 of Law no. 132 dated December 1, 2018 “Conversion into law, with amendments, of Decree-Law no. 113 of October 4, 2018” states that the granting of Italian citizenship under Articles 5 (marriage) and 9 (residency) is subject to the possession, by the person concerned (applicant), of an adequate knowledge of the Italian language, not lower than level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
To this end, applicants who have not signed the integration agreement referred to in Article 4-bis of the Testo Unico (consolidated text) referred to in Legislative Decree No 286 of July 25, 1998, or who do not hold a long-term EU residency permit as referred to in Article 9 of the same consolidated text, are required, when submitting their application, to certify the possession of a formal education “diploma” issued by a public or private educational institution, or to produce the appropriate certificate issued by a recognized certification body.
Therefore, as said above, if you applied before the new Law entered into force, or if you hold a long-term EU residency permit, you will not need to pass the language test.
For all new applications submitted after the abovementioned law entered into force, the applicant must hold a long-term resident’s EU permit or prove a B1 level in Italian language with a formal certification issued by an official Italian school.
Please send an email to citizenship@vademecumitalia.com and we will send you a quote for the assistance with your Italian citizenship application from day one to the day you will obtain your Italian passport.
Good Evening I have been living in Rome for the past 15 years.I do possess a long term EU residency permit. I would like to apply for the Italian Citizenship. I humbly request your esteemed firm to send me the necessary details.Buonasera
you’ll have better luck if you email him, not leave comments on blog posts.
You are right Paul, but I actually did send him an email.
Thank you,
D.
So in summary, if the person applied before December 1st 2018, she/he won’t need the test, correct?
Dear Dennis,
The language test refers to new applications only, submitted after the abovementioned law entered into force.
If you applied before the new Law no. 132/2018 entered into force, or if you hold a long-term EU residency permit, you will not need to pass the language test.
Thank you,
David.
Are seniors over 65 required to pass the B-1 as part of the citizenship application?
Rosie,
As written in the guide “For all new applications submitted after the abovementioned law entered into force, the applicant must hold a long-term resident’s EU permit or prove a B1 level in Italian language with a formal certification issued by an official Italian school”.
Regards,
David.
Hi. Thank you for the information.
For UK permanent residents, do they need to take the test, it’s confusing as UK is no longer in the EU
I have been married to an Italian citizen for 43 years. (1980). I wish to apply for citizenship. I live in the UK. Do I need to obtain a B1 Language Test.