Official 2026 CILS Exam Dates, Prices & Registration Guide

Whether you are applying for Italian citizenship, a long-term residency permit, or you need an official certificate for university admission or employment, your 2026 planning starts now.

The University for Foreigners of Siena has released the official 2026 CILS exam schedule. However, finding the date is the easy part. The real challenge is choosing the right exam center and the right version of the test.

This guide covers the official calendar, the "hidden" costs of private testing centers, and why you should never take the standard B1 exam just because it is closer to your home.

2026 CILS Exam Calendar & Deadlines

The following dates apply to exams held at authorized centers worldwide.

⚠️ Urgent Warning: While the University of Siena provides exam registration deadlines, their deadlines refer to the dates exam centers must turn in paperwork for the test takers. Test centers manage their own registration windows. It is highly unlikely a test center will still let you register on the last possible deadline listed below. We highly recommend registering for the exam as soon as the registration window opens, which may vary slightly from the dates below depending on your test center.

How Much Does the CILS Exam Cost? (The True Price)

The price of the exam is not the same everywhere.

• The Base Fee: The University of Siena sets a fixed base price (e.g. €100 for B1 Cittadinanza).

  
  

• The Surcharge: Private language schools and centers add their own administrative fees on top of this. This surcharge sometimes surpasses the price of the exam itself.

  
  

💡 Insider Tip: If you want the most reasonable price, look for publicly funded testing centers (like CPIA centers in Italy or Italian Cultural Institutes abroad). Private language schools often charge significantly higher registration fees to cover their overhead. This surcharge can be more than the exam fee.

Here's a clear step-by-step guide to help you register with confidence:

✅ Step 1: Find Your Nearest Test Center

CILS exams are offered at authorized test centers across Italy and around the world.

• In Italy? 👉 Find a test center in Italy

• Abroad? 👉 Find a test center abroad

📍 A few things to keep in mind:

• There are far more exam centers in Italy than outside of it.

• More exam types are available in Italy. For example:

  • The CILS A2 Integrazione (integration) exam is almost never offered abroad.

  • The CILS B1 Cittadinanza (citizenship) exam is getting harder to find internationally. Read our blog post to learn more.

If you're abroad and need a specific version of the test, you may need to search widely or consider traveling.

✅ Step 2: Contact the Test Center Directly

Once you find your exam center, you must contact them directly to register. There is no centralized sign-up system.

⏳ Typically:

• Registration opens 6–8 weeks before the exam

• Each site manages its own registration process, timeline, and payment

🚨 Don’t wait to register. Some exam centers and exam types fill up quickly, especially when simplified versions are offered.

✅ Step 3: Choose the Right Exam for Your Goal

If you're applying for citizenship or a long-term residency permit, you don’t need to take the full Italian exams. You may qualify for a simplified version, such as:

• CILS B1 Cittadinanza → Significantly shorter and easier than the standard B1

• CILS A2 Integrazione → Shorter and easier than the standard A2

If you qualify, it may be well worth traveling to a center that offers these simplified exams... they're faster to take, easier to pass, and fully recognized for legal use.

✅ Step 4: Register Carefully - Names and IDs Matter

When registering, make sure the name you use matches your ID exactly, i.e. your passport (or Carta d’identità, if you’re in Italy).

🪪 Your photo ID must be:

• Valid and in-date (not expired)

• The same ID you bring:

  • On exam day

  • To pick up your certificate

  • When submitting your certificate to the Italian government

⚠️ Mismatched names or expired IDs can cause delays or even invalidate your results.

✅ Step 5: After the Exam

Here’s what to expect after taking your CILS exam:

1. Online results: Available about 8 weeks after the exam at:

   👉 https://online.unistrasi.it/riscils.asp

   • At your exam, you'll receive a paper with your matricola number. This number is required to log in and check your results.

   
   

2. Downloadable letter: Appears on the same website about one week after your results are posted. This PDF document can be used with some consulates or prefetture while waiting for the official certificate.

   
   

3. Official paper certificate: Sent to your test center approximately 3.5 months after the test.

📦 Most test centers require you to pick up the certificate in person with valid photo ID. If you're traveling to take the exam, ask your test center during registration if:

• They can mail it to you, or

• A friend or family member can pick it up for you (usually with written permission)

📝 Some Italian authorities will accept the downloadable letter, while others require the official certificate. Always check what your local consulate or prefettura accepts before submitting your application.

📌 Many Italian exam centers open registration 6-8 weeks ahead of time. These exam types are in high demand and can fill up quickly, so don’t wait to secure your spot.

🎯 Final Tip

Finding the right test center and exam version takes a bit of planning, but it’s worth it.

Once you’re registered, Ready Set Italia will help you prepare with structured, efficient practice tailored to Italian exams. Whether you're in Italy or abroad, we’ve got your back.