CILS EXAMS

CILS Italian Exams – Certify Your Language Skills

The CILS exam (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is an internationally recognized certificate for Italian as a foreign or second language. It assesses language skills in the areas of listening, reading, writing and speaking and is based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. The CILS certificate is recognized by educational institutions, employers and authorities and serves as proof of language skills for work, study or residence in Italy. All information on CILS exam dates, Registration and requirements for levels A1 to C2 can be found below

RATINGS

Experiences of our participants

Read how our participants achieve their language goals and get off to a successful start!

TEST DATES & PRICES

Prices, exam dates & Registration

Here you will find all the important information about the individual CILS exam levels, including exam dates, duration and fees.

Prices CILS Italian exams

LevelCILS exam in CHFCILS partial exam in CHF
A1 standard26065
A1 children (8-11 years old)26065
A1 adolescents (12-16 years)26065
A1 integration260260
A2 standard29075
A2 children (8-11 years old)29075
A2 adolescents (12-16 years old)29075
A2 integration290290
B1 standard*29575
B1 a (adolescents, ages 12-16)29575
B1 c (citizenship)*275275
B2 standard*29575
C1 standard*31080
C1 in medicine31080
C2 standard*31080

**Repetition only valid with the participant number.
The examination fee must be paid by the end of the registration period.

ILS Basel

CILS exam dates

Exam name & exam levelExamination dateRegistration and deregistration deadline
A2 integrazione / B1 C19.12.202619.01.2026
A2 Standard / A2 Integrazione / B1 C / B1 A / B2 A / B2 / C1 solo per gli specializzandi di medicina14.04.202614.03.2026
A1 / A1 Bambini / A1 A / A1 Integrazione in Italia / A2 Standard / A2 Bambini / A2 A / A2 Integrazione in Italia / B1 A / B1 C / B1 Standard / B2 / B2 A / C1 / C216.06.202607.05.2026
A2 integrazione / B1 C22.07.202622.06.2026
A2 Standard / A2 Integrazione / B1 C21.10.202621.09.2026
A1 / A1 Bambini / A1 A / A1 Integrazione in Italia / A2 Standard / A2 Bambini / A2 A / A2 Integrazione in Italia / B1 A / B1 C / B1 Standard / B2 / B2 A / C1 / C2 / 03.12.202624.10.2026
ILS Basel

Information on the examination procedure

Exam typeLevelWritten partOral partTotal duration
CILS StandardA11h 30 min.10 min.1h 40 min.
CILS StandardA22h10 min.2h 10 min.
CILS StandardB13h10 min.3h 10 min.
CILS StandardB23h 30 min.10 min.3h 40 min.
CILS StandardC14h15 min.4h 15 min.
CILS StandardC25h15 min.5h 15 min.
CILS IntegrazioneA21h 40 min.10 min.1h 50 min
CILS Solo per gli Specializzandi di MedicinaC14h15 min.4h 15 min.
CILS BambiniA1-A21h 20 min.10 min.1h 30 min.
CILS Integrazione in ItaliaA1-A21h 30 min10 min.1h 40 min.
ILS Basel
assessment-test-test-your-language-level

MORE INFO

Learn more about our CILS exams

Learn more about our CILS exams!

Level

A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2

Intergrazione: For migration-related purposes (A2)
CILS Standard: Without specialization (A1-C2)
Solo per gli Specializzandi di Medicina: Especially for medical students or people who wish to have their diploma recognized (C1)
Bambini: For children and younger teenagers (A1-A2)
Integrazione in Italia: Migrants living in Italy (A1-A2)

The number of exam places is limited. Please register early using the registration form or directly at our office. The respective registration deadlines can be found in the table "Exam dates & registration deadlines." Registrations are only possible until the registration deadline; unfortunately, registrations received after this date cannot be considered. The exam fees must be paid in full by the day of the exam at the latest, otherwise participation will be excluded.

Cancellations are subject to a non-refundable processing fee of CHF 30.00. Cancellations after the deadline will result in the full examination fee being charged. Cancellations can only be made by email.

It is generally possible to postpone an examination after the registration deadline. In the case of a medically confirmed illness, the examination fee can be transferred to a later examination (within 18 months). A doctor's certificate is required for this. A processing fee of CHF 30.00 will also be charged. The medical certificate must be submitted within 10 days of the examination, otherwise it will not be considered. A refund of the costs is not possible.

The evaluation time is usually 4 to 6 weeks.

The CILS certificate is internationally recognized, accepted by educational institutions, employers, and authorities, and serves as proof of language proficiency for work, study, or residence in Italy. For naturalization in Switzerland, the required Italian language skills can also be demonstrated with a CILS certificate in the Italian-speaking cantons.

The CILS certificate is not recognized for naturalization in Switzerland.