CILS - Italian Language Certificate

CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) Logo
© Università per stranieri di Siena

CILS stands for Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera and is the official certificate for Italian as a foreign language. The certificate is issued by the University for Foreigners in Siena and is recognised by both the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education.

The CILS certification system is based on European guidelines as set out in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). There are six progressive CILS levels, each assessing increasingly advanced language and communication skills. Each level is independent and complete, and certifies the ability to communicate in specific social, professional, and academic contexts.

Further information available here.

 
Exam Dates

Nächster Prüfungstermin 04. Dezember 2025

Anmeldefrist: 20. Oktober 2025

Exam Venue

The exams take place at the Language Centre of Saarland University.
For further information about the CILS exams, please call: +49 (0)681 302-5447 or email: cils(at)szsb.uni-saarland.de.

Registration

Anmeldefrist: bis 20. Oktober 2025

Für Ihre vollständige Anmeldung benötigen wir folgendes:

  • Anmeldeformular für die Prüfung auf Italienisch
  • Personal- oder Reisepasskopie
  • Nachweis der Überweisung der Prüfungsgebühr. Die Bankdaten bekommen Sie von Frau Netti (p.netti@szsb.uni-saarland.de)

Diese Unterlagen bitte im Sprachenzentrum abgeben oder per Post schicken.

Formular zum Herunterladen:Anmeldeformular

Anmeldegebühren für jede Prüfung:

A185,00€
A285,00€
Uno - B1135,00€
Due - B2145,00€
Tre - C1170,00€
Quattro - C2195,00€

 

Eligibility Requirements

Both Italian citizens living abroad and non-Italians can take the CILS exam. There is no age limit, and holding a certificate from a previous CILS level is not required.

Structure and Assessment of the Exam

Each level of the CILS exam assesses the following areas of language competence:

  • Listening comprehension
  • Reading comprehension
  • Grammar
  • Written production
  • Oral production

All exams are assessed at the Certification Centre of the University for Foreigners in Siena.

Each of the five skills is scored out of 20 points. A minimum of 11 points must be achieved in each skill area. To receive the CILS certificate, candidates must achieve a passing score in all five components.

If a candidate meets the minimum score in only some of the skill areas, they only need to retake the components they did not pass in the next exam session. Successfully passed components remain valid for one year from the date of the first exam.

Preparation Course

The Language Centre offers special online preparation courses. Students or guest attendees who are registered for the exam can take part free of charge.

For further information about the CILS exams and preparation courses, please call: +49 (0)681 302-5447 or email:cils(at)szsb.uni-saarland.de