How Long Does It Take to Reach B1 Level in Italian?

4 years or 4 months? Which would you prefer?

If you're applying for Italian citizenship through marriage or residency, you've probably come across the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam. One of the most common questions is, how long will it take me to reach B1 level? The answer depends on what you really need.

Do You Actually Need to Be B1 Level?

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be B1 level—you just need to pass a B1 exam.

There’s a big difference between reaching true B1 fluency and doing what’s necessary to pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza. This exam is designed specifically for those applying for citizenship, and it’s far more accessible than the standard B1 exam used for school or work.

If you’re planning to work for an Italian company, attend university, or rely on Italian every day in a professional setting, then yes, you’ll need to fully reach B1 and likely take the harder version of the exam. But if you’re retiring in Italy, working remotely for an English-speaking company, or just living life as part of a family, then A1 or A2 Italian may already be enough to function beautifully in your daily routine.

So if your current goal is citizenship, it makes sense to focus on passing the exam rather than chasing full fluency right away.

How Long Does It Take?

Official estimates say it takes around 350 to 400 hours to reach true B1 level.

But here’s what that looks like in practice:

• 1 hour/week = about 8 years

• 2 hours/week = about 4 years

That’s great if your long-term goal is deep fluency. But if you just want to pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza? You don’t need nearly that much time.

We recommend 4 months to complete our B1 Cittadinanza preparation program. That’s realistic for someone who works, has a life, and can only dedicate a couple of hours a week to studying. This program comes with a completely free, no obligation 7 day free trial. If you are in a hurry, we have an acceleated program offering you full access to the preparation program on day one, so you can prepare as quickly as you need to. If you study an hour a day, you can be ready in just one month.

Why Start Now?

Laws change. Right now, the B1 exam is a known path to citizenship, and there’s no guarantee it will stay that way. Taking action now means protecting your opportunity while it’s still available.

The 2025 exam dates are coming up in July, October and December. That means now is the perfect moment to start preparing for the October exam—and if you're already signed up for July and feeling nervous, it’s time to act fast.