If you're even thinking about Italian citizenship, relocating to Italy, or creating any financial connection to the country, there’s one move you should make first: Open a Wise account. It sounds simple, but this one action can save you time, money, and frustration throughout your entire journey. Even if you're still abroad, many of the key steps in the process may require euro payments: official translations, marca da bollo (Italian tax stamps), application fees, and even exam prep with Ready Set Italia. Wise (formerly TransferWise) makes all of these payments - and future Italian life - smooth, affordable, and stress-free. 💸 Why Wise Is the Right First Step Wise is a borderless, multi-currency account that makes it easy to move, hold, send, and spend money globally without the hassle of opening a traditional bank account in Italy. Here’s why it’s your most powerful financial tool for anything Italy-related: 🏧 Free ATM withdrawals in Italy Wise includes a few free ATM withdrawals each month (check your limit in the app). After that, a small fee applies, but it’s still cheaper than most international cards. Perfect for everyday purchases, train stations, and small vendors. 🏦 A Real EU IBAN with No Italian Paperwork Wise gives you a Belgian IBAN, fully functional in Italy and across the EU. Use it to: Pay Italian government offices and agencies Show financial readiness to landlords Pay for utilities or rent Register for exams or classes Send or receive euro payments 💡 Planning to establish residency? A Belgian IBAN works for most payments, but some Italian landlords, utilities and employers still ask for an Italian “IT” IBAN. Once you have residency, Revolut can give you one. Here’s how: Revolut vs Wise in Italy. 🔁 True mid-market exchange rates with no markups Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate (the one you see on Google) and shows you all fees upfront. No markups, no hidden charges, no nonsense. 💰 Big move? Wise handles big transfers with ease If you're selling your house and starting over in Italy, Wise can handle large transfers... even in the millions. Their system is built for high-volume, high-security payments with the same transparency as smaller transfers. 🌍 Live, Travel, and Earn Across Europe Wise is designed for global citizens and it shines once you gain EU citizenship or long-term residency. You’ll likely want to travel more, work remotely, or explore other EU countries. Wise helps you do that with ease: Hold and convert British pounds, Swiss francs, Czech koruna, Danish krone, and more Spend abroad instantly with your card Switch between currencies on the fly, in-app Receive payments locally in the UK, US, EU, Australia, and more All from one account. No local banks needed. No extra fees. 🎁 Exclusive for Ready Set Italia Readers Sign up with my link and get a free Wise card or a fee-free transfer of up to about €570 (the amount varies with the exchange rate). 👉 Get your Wise account Whether you’re just starting your citizenship paperwork or getting ready to make Italy home, Wise is the very first financial step you should take. Simple. Powerful. Global. Wise is how you move money smart now and in the future. Frequently Asked Questions How do I send money to Italy from the US? The easiest way is with Wise. Add dollars from your US bank account, convert only what you need to euros at the real exchange rate, and send it to any Italian IBAN. A regular bank wire usually costs more, between the wire fee and a marked-up exchange rate. How do I pay a bill in euros from the US? For a translator, landlord deposit, school or exam fee, ask for their IBAN and the exact name on the account. Then send the euros from your Wise balance. If they take card payments online, you can also pay with your Wise card. Should I pay in euros or dollars? Always euros. When a card machine or website offers to charge you in dollars, it uses its own exchange rate, and that rate is almost always worse. Choose euros every time. Can I use my Wise card in Italy? Yes. It works anywhere cards are accepted, and you get a few free ATM withdrawals each month (check your limit in the app). Keep a little cash too, because some small shops and markets still prefer it. Do I need an Italian bank account before I move? No. Wise's euro account works for most payments before you move. Once you have residency, you can add Revolut for an Italian “IT” IBAN. Here’s how: Revolut vs Wise in Italy. Once you live in Italy, add Revolut for an Italian IBAN and cheaper exchanges. See Revolut vs Wise in Italy: Which Gives You an Italian IBAN. Paying in euros is an early step. Most people moving to Italy hit an official language requirement somewhere down the line too. Answer six quick questions and find out which Italian exam you need.

As a mom who moved to Italy with my spouse, 3 kids, and 2 pets, I've spent enough time battling the Italian bureaucracy to write a book. But the very first battle? A bank account. Before the move even happened, I needed a way to pay in euros. AirBNB payments and B1 exam preparation were both in euros. Then, when I moved, I needed a way to move money between the US and Italy, an EU-based card to pay for items in Italy and a way to get cash from an ATM without excessive fees. It's one of the most googled questions about moving to Italy: Wise or Revolut? Uou need both. What did I learn in the process? Open free accounts with both Wise and Revolut. Open Wise before you move, to move money from home with both local and EU account details. Then, open a Revolut account once you have Italian residency, for an Italian 'IT' IBAN and even cheaper currency exchanges. (Wise doesn't give you an Italian IBAN; its euro IBAN is Belgian.) Here is the breakdown of why both apps are essential, and which one is best for each situation. Wise: Best for Moving Money Before You Move When I first started planning a life in Italy, Wise was my go-to. It's incredibly transparent, offers the mid-market exchange rate, and is brilliant for international transfers. Why Wise is essential: Keep It in Your Home Currency: Use Wise to move money between your bank back home and Europe. Wise gives you local bank account numbers in several currencies, including US dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, British pounds and euros. You can send money from home as a simple local transfer and keep it in your home currency. Exchange only what you need: euros for things you buy before you move, and for spending while you settle into Italy. Best for Transfers: Wise is still king for moving large amounts of money between countries with the lowest, most transparent fees. This is perfect for transferring your savings for your move. And... sign up through our link and you get a free debit card or a fee-free first transfer of up to about €570 (the exact amount depends on the exchange rate). That's super helpful if your first purchase is exam preparation with Ready Set Italia. Paying Us in Euros: Since Ready Set Italia charges in euros, Wise gives you the best exchange rate to pay us from your home currency. The Global Card: Their debit card is a powerhouse for spending internationally, automatically converting funds at the best rate. The Catch with Wise: IBAN Discrimination in Italy Wise gives you a euro IBAN, but it's Belgian (it starts with BE), not Italian. Many official forms, utility companies, and Italian government processes will reject any IBAN that doesn’t start with 'IT'. It’s the worst kind of bureaucratic wall. On paper, refusing a non-Italian EU IBAN is against EU rules (the SEPA Regulation). In real life, it happens all the time in Italy, and not just with small companies. Even the Italian government agencies won't send money to a non-Italian IBAN. In September 2026, Italian consumer groups launched a campaign against it, but until things change, don't waste your energy fighting it: an 'IT' IBAN simply makes life easier. Revolut: How to Get an Italian IBAN Revolut is the key that unlocked our local finances here in Italy. Revolut now has an Italian branch in Milan, so it works like a genuine Italian bank, and you can open an account completely online. The catch: the Italian 'IT' IBAN is only for customers who live in Italy. Plan to set it up only after you have your Italian address. What you'll need to sign up: when I opened my account, Revolut asked for my passport, proof of address and a recent statement from my previous bank. Have these ready as PDFs or photos before you start, and the sign-up goes much faster. You'll also need your codice fiscale, Italy's tax code, for most things here, including banking (or estimate yours with our free calculator). Why Revolut is a Must-Have for Italian Residency: The Local 'IT' IBAN: This is the game-changer. That IT-prefixed account number is what satisfies the picky Italian systems and lets you set up those crucial direct debits. It completely bypasses the IBAN discrimination problem that Wise accounts face. Bye-Bye Bureaucracy: You sign up in the app and in English, not at a local Italian bank branch. Traditional Italian banks often have numerous road blocks to setting up a local bank account for new Italian residents, especially foreigners. Revolut makes signing up fast and easy. A Game-Changer for Parents: Revolut <18 Accounts For families, Revolut offers something Wise doesn't: the Revolut <18 account. With 3 teenagers in our home, this was a huge factor in my decision to move my primary banking there. Free Debit Card for Kids: Your children get their own card and a simplified app linked to your main account. Teaching Finance: Kids can set up their own savings accounts with interest calculated daily. Seeing their interest get deposited daily is a hige incentive for them to save. It’s a safe, controlled way for them to practice money management in euros. Moving with children? Read our guide to Italian schools. Money-Saving Tip: Switch Your Exchanges to Revolut Once you live in Italy, Revolut can also make currency exchanges and ATM withdrawals much cheaper. Revolut has five plans: Standard (free), Plus, Premium, Metal and Ultra. On the free Standard plan, you can exchange up to €1,000 a month without fees on weekdays. Above that, Revolut charges a 1% fee, and weekend exchanges cost 1% too. From Premium up, there's no monthly exchange limit, and the higher plans include more free ATM withdrawals. So if you're exchanging a large amount or taking a lot of cash out of the ATM, a paid plan can pay for itself in a single transaction. Revolut also often offers a big discount on your first subscription. If the plan costs less than the fees you'd pay, sign up for it. I've saved hundreds of euros exchanging money with Revolut. Fees and prices change, so check the fee in the app before you exchange. When to Open Each Account You don't need to open both on the same day. Here's the order that makes life easiest: Before you move: open Wise. Use it to move money from home, keep it in your home currency, and exchange only what you need for sworn translations, marca da bollo and exam prep. New to Wise? Here's how to pay in euros the smart way. After you move, keep the account open in order to easily receive money from back home, like tax refunds. Once you have Italian residency: open Revolut. Get your 'IT' IBAN and use it for direct debits, utilities, your salary, your kids' accounts, and cheaper currency exchanges. Account Primary Use Key Benefit Revolut (free version) Italian Direct Debits, Salary, Everyday Spending, Kids' Accounts, Cheaper Currency Exchange (after residency) Local 'IT' IBAN + cheaper exchanges Wise (free version) Moving money from home, holding your home currency, euros before you move Best Transfer Rates (perfect for paying Ready Set Italia) Frequently Asked Questions Does Wise give you an Italian IBAN? No. Wise gives you a Belgian IBAN (it starts with BE). It works for most payments, but for an 'IT' IBAN you need Revolut once you live in Italy. Can I get an Italian IBAN before I move? Not with Revolut. Its 'IT' IBAN is only for people who live in Italy. Use Wise until you have your Italian address, then acquire your Italian IBAN. Do I need a traditional Italian bank? Usually not at first. You'll want one if you're getting a mortgage, and some employers and landlords prefer a traditional Italian bank. Are Wise and Revolut really free? Both have free plans. Revolut's free plan lets you exchange up to €1,000 a month without fees on weekdays. If you exchange more, a paid plan can cost less than the fees. Set up your free accounts: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, Ready Set Italia may earn a small commission at no cost to you. ➡️ Open your Revolut account and get your 'IT' IBAN once you live in Italy ➡️ Get your Wise account before you move for the best exchange rates Getting ready to move? Start with our step-by-step guide to moving to Italy and our Documents to Bring checklist. Getting your banking sorted is one piece of the residency puzzle. The language requirement is the other. Answer six quick questions and find out which Italian exam you might need.

Moving to Italy means paperwork, and a lot of it has to come from home. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, school records: Italian offices will ask for them, often with official stamps and translations. Getting them while you're still in your home country is far easier than ordering them by mail from Italy. This checklist covers the documents most people need, which ones need an apostille or a translation, and the order to do it all in so you don't pay twice. A quick note: Exactly which documents you need depends on your situation (your visa, whether you're married, whether you have kids or pets). Use this list as your starting point, then check the requirements for your specific route. The Checklist Document Who needs it? Notes Needs apostille? Needs 🇮🇹 translation? Passport Everyone Minimum of 1 year validity left No No Birth certificate Everyone Long form version Yes Yes Marriage certificate Anyone entering Italy as a married person Birthdates need to be on the certificate Yes Yes Marriage license application Anyone without birthdates listed on the marriage certificate Unnecessary if birthdates are on the marriage certificate Yes Yes Divorce decree and statement of no appeal Anyone who has ever been divorced Yes Yes One and the Same (OATS) declaration Anyone whose name has changed, e.g. after taking a spouse's name Ties all your names together. Signed in front of a notary Yes Yes Adoption records Anyone with an adoption not reflected on their birth certificate Yes Yes Driver's license Anyone with a driver's license No No International driver's permit Anyone with a driver's license not transferable to Italy No No Immunization records Everyone No No Medical records Anyone with ongoing medical conditions No No Prescriptions Anyone with recurring prescription medications No No School completion certificates, diplomas or degrees Anyone planning to attend any level of school or attain a job contract in Italy No No School transcripts Anyone planning to attend any level of school in Italy No No Pet rabies records Each pet No No Pet health certificate Each pet No No Pet microchip records Each pet No No Italian language certificate If you have passed an official Italian language exam Want help passing your exam? No No Federal and state background checks Spouses of Italian citizens ready to apply for citizenship as soon as they arrive Only get these before you move if you already have your B1 certificate and have been married long enough to apply. They must be dated within 6 months of applying. Yes Yes Tip: Get 2-3 certified copies of every important certificate. Italian offices sometimes keep the original, and you'll likely need it again. What is an apostille? An apostille is an official certificate attached to a document that proves it's genuine, so another country will accept it. Italy, the US, the UK, Canada and Australia all belong to the treaty that created it (the 1961 Hague Convention), so an apostille is all you need, with no extra embassy stamps. Who issues apostilles: Country Who issues it United States State documents (birth, marriage, divorce certificates): the Secretary of State of the state that issued the document. Born in Ohio but living in Texas? It goes to Ohio. Federal documents (like the FBI background check): the U.S. Department of State's Office of Authentications United Kingdom The Legalisation Office (part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). You apply online, then post your documents. Some documents must be certified by a UK solicitor or notary first Canada Canada has issued apostilles only since January 2024. Documents from Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan: that province's own office. Federal documents and documents from the other provinces and territories: Global Affairs Canada Australia The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), through Australian Passport Offices in the capital cities Do you need translations? Many documents need an Italian translation, and not just any translation: an Italian court approved translation. There are many companies online offering translations that are called "official" but only have an Italian notary (notaio) stamp. A notary stamp is not an approved translation. We wrote about the most common mistakes in Translation SCAM ALERT. The order matters Order certified copies of your certificates. Get an apostille for each certificate. Lastly, translate the document and its apostille together. Translate first, and you'll pay twice: the apostille has to be translated too. Want this checklist on your fridge? Get our free printable Moving to Italy: Documents Checklist. It has a tick box for every step (in progress, received, apostille, translated), who issues apostilles in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and space for your notes. Frequently asked questions Does my passport need an apostille? No. Passports are accepted as they are. Just make sure yours stays valid for your whole stay. Can I get an apostille after I move to Italy? Yes, but it has to come from the country that issued the document, so you'll be dealing with offices back home by mail. It's much easier to do before you go. Does every document need a translation? Most official certificates do. Your passport, driver's license, International Driving Permit, medical records and school records don't. How far ahead should I start? Ordering certificates and apostilles can take several weeks, so start a few months before your move. Do I need my codice fiscale before I move? Not always, but it helps. See What Is a Codice Fiscale and Why Do You Need One in Italy? and try our free codice fiscale calculator.

Italy’s health care system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, but it works very differently from what many expats are used to. Whether you're applying for Italian citizenship, gaining residency, or planning a move, here's what you need to know. This post covers what’s actually free, who gets Italy’s public health insurance (and who has to pay for it), what health insurance you need for your visa, and what to expect as a legal resident or the spouse of an Italian citizen. Does Italy Have Universal Health Care? Yes, Italy has a universal, tax-funded public health system. Health in Italy is considered a right, not a privilege. As a resident, you’ll have access to affordable care, low medication costs, and emergency services with no bill surprises. Is Health Care in Italy Free? Mostly, yes. Italy has universal health care, funded through taxes. That means: ✅ Emergency care, including ambulances, is completely free, even for tourists ✅ For most residents, Italy’s public health insurance is free (some permit types have to pay to join, see below) ✅ Prescription pills are usually free ✅ Specialist visits cost about €25 Who Qualifies for Italy’s Public Health Insurance (SSN)? It depends on your permesso di soggiorno. Italy’s public health system is called the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). You’re enrolled for free if you are: An Italian citizen The spouse of an Italian citizen (family permit) An EU citizen working and registered as a resident in Italy A non-EU resident with a work permit (employee or self-employed) A non-EU resident with a family permit or a pending citizenship application You have to pay to join (iscrizione volontaria) if you’re on: An elective residence permit A student or au pair permit (reduced flat rate) Any other permit that doesn’t qualify for free enrollment Since 2024, voluntary enrollment costs at least €2,000 a year, and more if your income is higher. It covers the calendar year (January 1 to December 31), not 12 months from the day you pay. So if you join in November, you’ll pay again in January. Once you’ve registered your residenza anagrafica, go to your local ASL office to enroll. You’ll need your residency certificate, codice fiscale, ID, and your permesso di soggiorno (or the receipt). Rules and payment methods vary by region, so check with your ASL. Do I Need Private Health Insurance in Italy? It depends on where you are in the process and whether you are eligible for free admission into the public system. If you do not enroll in the SSN: Yes. You’ll need private insurance for your visa, your permesso registration, and to cover you while you wait for eligibility in the public system. If you fall into a category that has to pay for the public system, some people still choose to remain solely with private insurance even when eligible for the public system because private insurance is often cheaper than paying for the public insurance. If you enroll in the SSN: No. The public system covers almost everything you need and when something does cost money, it is usually less than the private insurance copay. What Is the Tessera Sanitaria? Your tessera sanitaria is your public health insurance card. It gives you access to: Your assigned general practitioner (GP or medico di base) Hospitals and emergency care Referrals to public specialists in Italy Free or discounted prescriptions It also doubles as your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), so you're covered when traveling in the EU, just like a local resident. And fun fact: This same card is also used as your tax ID and is required if you want to buy tobacco products in Italy. Can I Find Doctors Who Speak English? Yes, especially in larger cities.Tip: Join local Facebook groups for expats or Italian citizenship applicants. You’ll find English-speaking doctors and other local tips. When you register for the public insurance, you can request a specific GP by name. How Do I Book Appointments? Specialist appointments are booked online through your regional health care portal. But everyday appointments are made directly with your doctor (medico di base), usually by: Phone Email Or even WhatsApp, which is widely used in Italy for both personal and professional communication Your medico di base typically handles scheduling themselves or through a small office assistant. What Health Insurance Do I Need for a Visa? This is the part that catches people. Before you can use Italy’s public system, most visas require private health insurance. For the elective residence visa, for example, consulates ask for at least €30,000 of coverage per person, valid for 12 months across the whole Schengen Area, including hospital stays, emergency care, and repatriation. The Questura asks for proof again when you apply for your permesso and at every renewal, until you’re enrolled in the SSN. The most common mistakes: Buying travel insurance instead of a long-stay expat policy Assuming Medicare or your US plan covers you in Italy A policy that doesn’t say “valid in the Schengen Area” in writing Every consulate has its own checklist, so always check yours before you buy. Where Can I Get Visa-Approved Health Insurance? We like Feather’s expat health insurance because it is specifically made for expats moving to Italy. It’s accepted for type D visas (including elective residence, digital nomad, student, and family reunification) and for permesso applications and renewals. One flat price: €72 a month up to age 65, €258 a month from 65 to 75 (October 2026) Cancel anytime Full refund if your visa is denied before the policy starts Coverage well above the €30,000 visa minimum, valid across the entire Schengen Area Proof of coverage right away: a certificate in English and Italian you can download as soon as you sign up, ready for your consulate or Questura No codice fiscale or Italian address needed to buy it Pay monthly and it’s still fully accepted for visa and residence permit applications. Support in English🇺🇸🇬🇧🇦🇺🇨🇦, including on WhatsApp... its a lifesaver 👉 Sign up for Feather Final Thoughts Italy’s health care system is one of the best reasons to live here, especially if you’re applying for citizenship or getting your first permesso. It’s accessible, affordable, and actually works. ✅ Emergency care is always free ✅ Before you’re in the SSN, you’ll need private insurance for your visa and permesso ✅ Hospitals in Italy are well-equipped ✅ Most medications are low-cost or free ✅ English-speaking doctors are out there, just ask ✅ Appointments are booked directly, even by WhatsApp ✅ And your health card works across Europe as your EHIC Married to an Italian? Your family permit gives you free access to the SSN. And if you’re planning to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage, you’ll also need a B1 Italian certificate. With polite Italian, most of our clients are ready for the exam in about 3 months. Want more real-world tips about living in Italy, applying for citizenship, or passing the CILS A2 integrazione, B1 cittadinanza, B1 standard, or Patente B exams? Follow Ready Set Italia on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or check out our full blog archive.

If you've spent any time dealing with Italian bureaucracy, you've probably been asked for a codice fiscale... sometimes even before you've officially moved to Italy. But what exactly is it, and why does everyone from your landlord to the pharmacy want to see it? Curious what your code will be? Try our free codice fiscale calculator. It works for people born outside Italy too. What Is a Codice Fiscale? Codice fiscale (pronounced CO-dee-chay fiss-cal-eh) literally means “fiscal code” in Italian. The plural form is codici fiscali. It’s Italy’s version of a tax identification number, similar to a Social Security Number in the U.S., a National Insurance Number in the UK, a Social Insurance Number in Canada or a Tax File Number in Australia. It’s issued by the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) and assigned to both Italian citizens and foreign nationals who live, study, work, or do business in Italy. Once issued, it never expires: if you got one years ago, it’s still yours. Whether a certificate or card, both are valid forms of a codice fiscale. Do You Need One? Yes, if you plan to do almost anything official in Italy. You’ll need a codice fiscale to: Sign a rental contract Open a bank account Register with the national health service Enroll in school or university Get a SIM card or utility service Receive a paycheck or pay taxes Apply for residency or citizenship Even some online shopping platforms and pharmacies will ask for it. How Is Your Code Built? Your codice fiscale isn’t random. It’s built from your name, date of birth, sex and place of birth, using the same formula for everyone. Here’s how the 16 characters break down: Surname (3 letters): the first three consonants of your surname. Not enough consonants? Vowels fill the gap, then X. First name (3 letters): the first three consonants of your first name(s). If there are four or more, it uses the 1st, 3rd and 4th. Year of birth (2 numbers): the last two digits of the year. Month of birth (1 letter): see the month letters below. Day of birth and sex (2 numbers): men use their day of birth (01 to 31). Women add 40 (41 to 71), so a woman born on the 5th gets 45. Place of birth (4 characters): an Italian town code or, for people born abroad, Z plus three numbers for the country. Check letter (1 letter): calculated from the first 15 characters to catch typos. Month letters: A January · B February · C March · D April · E May · H June · L July · M August · P September · R October · S November · T December Common country codes: United States Z404 · Canada Z401 · United Kingdom Z114 · Australia Z700 · Ireland Z116 · New Zealand Z719 Example: Mario Rossi, a man born in Rome (code H501) on 1 January 1980, has the code RSSMRA80A01H501U. Which name is used? Your name exactly as it appears on your current passport, including middle names. If your married name is on your passport, that’s the name your code is built from. More on this in Married Name or Maiden Name on Italian Documents? Since it’s formula-based, it’s not as secure as a Social Security Number... someone who knows your full name, birthdate, and birthplace can usually guess it. If two people would end up with the same code, the Agenzia delle Entrate changes some of the numbers into letters to keep each one unique. This is called omocodia, and it’s why you always need your official code, not just a calculated one. Want to skip the math? Use our codice fiscale calculator to see your likely code in seconds. Why Does Everyone Ask for It? Because it connects you to virtually every system in Italy. Whether you’re signing a lease, opening a bank account, or applying for public services, your codice fiscale is how institutions verify your identity and link your data across databases. Businesses and public offices use it to track financial activity, issue receipts or contracts, and comply with legal requirements. What Does the Government Do With It? The Italian government uses the codice fiscale as a central identifier to: Monitor tax payments and income Validate access to healthcare and education Link documents, records, and services Prevent fraud and identity mix-ups It’s a foundational piece of the country’s administrative infrastructure. How Do You Get One? In Italy: go to your local Agenzia delle Entrate office with a completed request form (form AA4/8) and your passport. Most offices require an appointment, so book ahead. The visit itself is quick: you’ll usually walk out with your code printed on a paper certificate. When you apply, you might be asked whether you want just a paper version or a plastic card. The paper version (certificato) is all you need, the card takes longer to produce and is completely unnecessary. Once you register with the national health system and get your Italian ID, your codice fiscale is printed on your tessera sanitaria (health card) and your carta d’identità (identity card). That’s why almost no one in Italy carries a separate card just for their codice fiscale. Until then, the paper certificate is perfectly valid. From abroad: you can apply through the Italian consulate that covers where you live. Along with the form and your passport, expect to show proof that you live in that consulate’s area. However, some consulates have recently stopped issuing codici fiscali. If yours won’t, don’t worry: you can get it at the Agenzia delle Entrate after you arrive. Is that the case at your consulate? Leave a comment and let us know where. Or if you were recently able to get yours through a consulate, share that too... it helps others in the same situation. Frequently Asked Questions Does a codice fiscale expire? No. Once it’s issued, it’s yours for life, even if you leave Italy and come back years later. Can I get a codice fiscale before I move to Italy? Often, yes, through the Italian consulate that covers where you live. Some consulates no longer issue them, so check yours first. Otherwise, apply at the Agenzia delle Entrate once you arrive. Is the codice fiscale the same as the tessera sanitaria? No. The tessera sanitaria is your Italian health card. Your codice fiscale is printed on it, which is why many people use the card to show their code. Can I work out my own codice fiscale? You can see your likely code with our free codice fiscale calculator, but you still need to request your official code from the Agenzia delle Entrate. Only the official code is valid.

If you're married to an Italian citizen, or in a civil union with one, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage, also known as cittadinanza italiana per matrimonio or jure matrimonii. It's one of the most popular paths to Italian nationality, especially for couples living abroad. The process is detailed, the document requirements are strict, and the legal landscape is shifting in 2026. This guide covers everything you need to know to apply: who qualifies, what documents you need, how the B1 Italian language requirement works, AIRE registration for couples abroad, and how to submit your application through Italy's ALI portal. Getting Italian citizenship through marriage? Here's who qualifies, every document you need, the B1 exam, and how to apply. Italian Citizenship by Marriage Requirements: Who Qualifies You are eligible to apply if all of the following are true: You are legally married to (or in a civil union with) an Italian citizen Your marriage is recognized and registered in Italy You meet the residency-based marriage timeline: 2 years of marriage if you live in Italy 3 years of marriage if you live abroad These timelines are cut in half if you have biological or adopted children with your Italian spouse The marriage remains valid both at the time of application and at the moment citizenship is granted You have a clean criminal record (more on this below) If you live in Italy, you must be legally resident for the duration of the qualifying period. If you live abroad, your Italian spouse must be properly registered with AIRE. 2026 Legal Update: Why Timing Matters Across the EU, countries are tightening their immigration and citizenship rules, and Italy is no exception. What already changed: In 2025, Italy reformed citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). Most new claims are now limited to two generations back. The rules for citizenship by marriage did not change. The 2-year and 3-year waiting periods are still in place. What keeps coming back: A proposal to change citizenship by marriage comes up in the Italian parliament every single year. The most recent one, Draft Law 1450/2025, did not pass. The main question is always the same: where the spouse lives. Many Italian politicians believe only spouses living in Italy should be entitled to citizenship by marriage. It is likely only a matter of time before a version of this passes. Bottom line: If you qualify today, especially if you live outside Italy, don't wait. Collecting your documents alone can take 6 to 12 months, and new rules are not always grandfathered in. The B1 Italian Language Requirement Since December 2018, all citizenship by marriage applicants must demonstrate Italian language ability at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). B1 is classified as intermediate proficiency. In practical terms, you should be able to handle everyday conversations, understand the main points of clear standard speech, and write simple connected text on familiar topics. What Is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam? The good news: you do not need to take the full academic B1 exam. Italy created a simplified version called the CILS B1 Cittadinanza, designed specifically for citizenship applicants. It tests reading, listening, writing, and speaking at a basic level. The exam is widely available in Italy and at select test centers abroad. Scores are typically released 8 to 12 weeks after the exam, and the physical certificate arrives about 6 months from the exam date. Once you receive your certificate, it never expires. You can also use a CELI B1 or PLIDA B1 certificate, but the CILS B1 Cittadinanza is the most common and most accessible option for citizenship applicants. How Long Does It Take to Get Ready for the B1 Exam? Less time than most people think. If you already know polite Italian (greetings, basic phrases, how to sound out words), most Ready Set Italia clients are ready for the B1 Cittadinanza exam after about 3 months of prep. I learned this the hard way. When I applied for citizenship in Torino, I started with Italian language classes. I spent a whole year trying to reach B1 level in the eyes of my teacher. Then I switched to test prep, learned exactly what was on the exam, and passed quickly, with room to spare on my score. You need to pass a specific exam, not become fluent in Italian. Who Is Exempt from the Language Test You may be exempt from the B1 language requirement if: You were married to your Italian spouse before April 27, 1983, the husband is the Italian citizen, and that marriage was registered in Italy before March 27, 2025 You have a recognized disability that prevents language certification You hold an Italian academic diploma or degree from a recognized institution If you think you might qualify for an exemption, get formal documentation in writing from your consulate or prefecture before submitting your application. Be careful here. Claiming an exemption you do not clearly qualify for is one of the riskier moves in the whole process. We cover why in the truth about B1 exemptions and why they are high-risk. Documents You Need (Documenti per Cittadinanza per Matrimonio) Every applicant must submit: Italian marriage certificate (issued by the Italian comune where the marriage is registered) Birth certificate (long form) Criminal background checks from every country, state, or region where you have lived since age 14, covering both national and local jurisdictions Valid government-issued ID (passport or equivalent) CILS B1 Cittadinanza certificate (or approved equivalent) €250 application fee receipt Marca da bollo (Italian revenue stamp, currently €16.00) Documents for US Citizens If you are a US citizen, the list is long. You will need: Your birth certificate Your Italian marriage certificate Your B1 language certificate An FBI fingerprint background check A state background check for every state you have lived in since age 14 Valid identity documents Documents explaining any name change since birth Every one of these needs an apostille and a legal Italian translation. There are many nuances, and the right version of each document depends on your situation. Get one document wrong and you won't find out until your application is reviewed, which can be years after you submit it. By then, you'll have to get new background checks and a new Italian marriage certificate, plus a replacement for whichever document caused the problem. And once you have all of those, you're moved to the back of the queue. Our Guide to the Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application walks you through every document so you get it right the first time. Document Order: Certify, Apostille, Translate All non-Italian documents must be processed in this exact order: Certified by the original issuing authority Apostilled under the Hague Convention (or legalized through the Italian consulate if your country is not a Hague signatory) Translated into Italian by a sworn translator (traduttore giurato) registered with an Italian court Skipping or reordering any of these steps is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected. Background Check Timing Background checks and your Italian marriage certificate must be dated within 6 months of your application submission. Because exam scores can take 8 to 12 weeks and document apostilles can take weeks, do not request your background checks too early. The recommended sequence is: Take and pass the B1 exam first Once you have your exam certificate in hand, request your background checks Get them apostilled and translated Submit everything together within the 6-month window How Much Does Italian Citizenship by Marriage Cost? Most guides only mention the €250 application fee. Here is every cost you should plan for. CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam: €100 ALI portal application fee: €250 Marca da bollo (revenue stamp): €16 Italian marriage certificate: €16–50 Birth certificate (varies by country): Free–€50 Federal background check (e.g. FBI for US applicants): €15–30 State or local background checks: €15–75 each, per jurisdiction since age 14 Apostille per document: €20–100 each (varies by country and state) Sworn Italian translation per document: €80–200 each Total realistic range: €800–3,000+ The biggest variable is background checks. If you have lived in multiple US states, multiple countries, or moved frequently since age 14, your apostille and translation costs climb fast. Batch your translations with the same court-registered translator to reduce per-document rates. How to Apply: Step by Step Step 1: Register Your Marriage with Italy Your marriage must be officially recorded in your Italian spouse's comune of registration. If you live abroad, this happens through your nearest Italian consulate. If you live in Italy, your spouse handles it directly with their comune. This step is non-negotiable, and it can take several months on its own. Step 2: Verify AIRE Registration (If Living Abroad) If you and your Italian spouse live outside Italy, your spouse must be registered with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) at the consulate with jurisdiction over your area. The AIRE address must match the address you list on your citizenship application. Address mismatches between AIRE and the application are a leading cause of processing delays and outright rejections. Have your spouse log in to the AIRE portal and confirm everything is current before you apply. Step 3: Pass the B1 Italian Test Register for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam at an authorized test center. Exam dates fill quickly, especially at consulate locations and in large North American cities, so book several months in advance. Step 4: Apply Through the ALI Portal Italy's online citizenship application is now submitted through the ALI portal (Applicazione di Lavorazione Istanze), which replaced the older portal interface. You'll create an account, complete the application, upload all your certified, apostilled, and translated documents, and pay the €250 fee plus marca da bollo directly inside the portal. Already passed B1 and stuck on the ALI portal? Our Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application Guide walks you through every screen of the portal in English, with translations, document checklists, and screenshots of the entire process. Get the Guide Step 5: Attend Your In-Person Appointment After your application is reviewed, your Italian consulate (if abroad) or prefettura (if in Italy) will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment. You must bring all original documents. Your Italian spouse is required to attend with you and bring valid Italian ID. Step 6: Wait for Your Decision Processing times vary widely by office. Some prefetture and consulates issue decisions within 12 to 18 months. Others can take 2 to 3 years. Once the Ministry issues your decreto di cittadinanza, you have 6 months to appear and take the oath of allegiance, either at your comune (if in Italy) or your consulate (if abroad). How Long Does Italian Citizenship by Marriage Take? It depends on where you live. Your mandatory waiting period (1 to 3 years after your wedding) is set by where you live and whether you have children together. Your processing time, anywhere from a few months to 3 years, depends on which consulate or prefettura handles your file. In Torino, where I applied, every application takes the full 3 years. For the full breakdown, read our Italian citizenship by marriage timeline. What you can control is how long your preparation phase takes. Marriage registration: Get the marriage officially recorded in Italy. 1 to 3 months. B1 exam booking: Spots fill fast, especially at consulate locations abroad. Book 3 to 6 months in advance. B1 exam results: Scores are released 8 to 12 weeks after the exam. The physical certificate arrives about 6 months from the exam date. Document collection: Birth certificate, marriage cert, valid ID. 1 to 4 months. Background checks: All countries and states since age 14. 2 to 8 weeks. Apostilles: Government certification of documents. 2 to 8 weeks. Sworn translations: Court-registered translator in Italy. 1 to 4 weeks. ALI portal submission: Once all documents are ready. 1 to 2 days. Government processing: Consulate or prefettura review. A few months to 36 months, depending on your office. Oath of allegiance: Must be taken within 6 months of decree issuance. Book immediately. What to Prioritize Right Now If you're starting the process today, here's the order that gives you the best chance of avoiding delays: Confirm AIRE registration is up to date (if abroad) Register your marriage in Italy if it isn't already Book your B1 exam early since dates fill 3 to 6 months in advance Begin gathering vital records (birth certificate, marriage certificate) Hold off on background checks until you have your B1 certificate Use only court-registered translators in Italy for the final translation step Apply under current rules while the abroad pathway is still available Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected or Delayed Requesting background checks too early. Background checks are only valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If you request them before your B1 certificate arrives, they may expire before you can submit. Get B1 results first, then request background checks. The same goes for your Italian marriage certificate. Translating before apostilling. The required order is certify, apostille, then translate. A translation done before apostilling will be rejected. This mistake alone can cost you months. AIRE address mismatch. Your Italian spouse’s AIRE registration address must exactly match the address on your ALI application. Have your spouse log in and verify before you submit. Using a non-court-registered translator. Translations must be done by a traduttore giurato, a sworn translator registered with an Italian court. Translations from certified agencies or bilingual professionals who are not court-registered in Italy will not be accepted. Missing the oath deadline. Once your citizenship decree is issued, you have 6 months to appear and take the oath. Miss the window and the citizenship is forfeited. Book your oath appointment the moment you receive your decree. Inconsistent name across documents. If your name appears differently across your birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, and background checks, address it before submitting. Name discrepancies trigger holds. Your Italian spouse not attending the in-person appointment. Your spouse must attend with valid Italian ID. This is non-negotiable. Frequently Asked Questions What about same-sex marriages? If you are in a same-sex marriage performed outside of Italy and your marriage is properly registered with your Italian spouse's comune, you are fully eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage. The process, timeline, and document requirements are identical to those for opposite-sex couples. How long does the entire process take? It depends on where you live. Plan for 2 to 6 years total: a 1 to 3-year waiting period after your wedding, then a few months to 3 years of processing, depending on which office handles your file. Read the full timeline. What happens if an American marries an Italian citizen? Marrying an Italian citizen does not make you Italian automatically. It makes you eligible to apply. If you live in the US, you can apply after 3 years of marriage (1.5 years if you have children together). Before applying, your marriage must be registered in Italy, your spouse must be registered with AIRE, and you must pass the B1 exam. Italy and the US both allow dual citizenship, so you keep your US citizenship. Can I get Italian citizenship by marriage without the language test? Only in a few narrow cases, such as a marriage before 1983 where the husband is the Italian citizen, a recognized disability, or an Italian school diploma or degree. Almost everyone needs to pass the B1 exam. The good news: if you know polite Italian, most of our clients are ready in about 3 months. Does a civil union count? Yes. If you are in a civil union with an Italian citizen, you can apply under the same requirements as married couples, as long as the union is registered in Italy. Do I need a lawyer? No. The application is designed to be completed by the applicant directly. That said, if you have a complicated name history (multiple marriages, name changes), prior immigration issues, or a criminal record of any kind, a consultation with an Italian immigration attorney can save you from costly mistakes. What if my spouse and I divorce during the process? If you divorce or separate before citizenship is granted, your application is no longer valid and will be rejected. The marriage must remain legally intact through the entire process, all the way to the oath. The death of your Italian spouse does not invalidate the application provided you have children together. Can I keep my original citizenship? Italy permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. You will not lose your original nationality by becoming Italian. However, your original country may have its own rules. US citizens, for example, can hold Italian citizenship without affecting their US status, but some countries (like Japan, India, and China) do not permit dual citizenship and may require you to renounce. What's the difference between jure matrimonii and jure sanguinis? Jure matrimonii is citizenship through marriage to an Italian citizen. Jure sanguinis is citizenship through Italian ancestry. Marriage applicants apply through naturalization and must meet residency, language, and document requirements. Ancestry applicants are recognized as already-Italian and have a different (though increasingly restricted) pathway. Need Help Passing the B1 Test? The CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam is the single biggest hurdle for most marriage applicants, and it's where most people get stuck. That's where Ready Set Italia comes in. Our B1 Cittadinanza prep program is built specifically for citizenship applicants. You'll get: Clear lessons focused on the real exam, taught in English by native English speakers who passed the same test Practice for all four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking 10 full past exams with automatic grading and feedback Step by step guidance on how and where to register for your exam Strategies for managing exam-day nerves and timing We've helped hundreds of people pass the B1 Cittadinanza exam and move one step closer to Italian citizenship. B1 Cittadinanza clients can add our complete Guide to the Online Italian Citizenship by Marriage Application for €49 in their first week, including line-by-line translations of every screen of the ALI portal. Final Thoughts Italian citizenship by marriage is one of the more accessible paths to dual citizenship, but it rewards preparation. Register your marriage early, confirm AIRE is current, book your B1 exam well in advance, follow the certify-apostille-translate order exactly, and submit while current rules are still in place. With the right plan and the right preparation, you can move through the process confidently and take your oath with everything in order. Passing the B1 exam is part of the process. Not sure you're ready for it? Take our free 2-minute B1 readiness check to see where you stand.

If your partner is an Italian citizen, then you too can become an Italian citizen (and you absolutely should). In this blog post, we share both the official timeline and our insider tips to make the process go faster. True to any citizenship process, there are many steps and rules to follow, but Italian citizenship for spouses is a gift and is totally worth jumping through the necessary legal and bureaucratic hoops required of you. It is a very different process than citizenship by descent or naturalization, with its own unique timeline. Looking for the full list of requirements and documents? Start with our complete guide to Italian citizenship by marriage. How Long Does the Italian Citizenship by Marriage Process Take? The Short Answer: It depends on where you live. The entire process for Italian citizenship by marriage (jure matrimonii) takes between 2 and 6 years total. First comes a mandatory 1 to 3-year waiting period after your wedding, set by where you live and whether you have children together. Then comes government processing, which can take anywhere from a few months to 3 years, depending entirely on which office handles your file. Those two segments behave very differently, which is why no single number fits everyone. The waiting period is fixed and knowable in advance: it depends only on where you live and whether you have children together. The processing time is not knowable in advance. It depends on which consulate or prefettura handles your file. A couple living in Italy with children, applying through a quiet office, can finish close to the 2-year end. A couple abroad with no children, applying through a backlogged one, should plan for the 6-year end. Step-by-Step Italian Citizenship by Marriage Timeline Step 1: Get Married (and Recognize the Marriage in Italy) We know this sounds obvious, but… make sure Italy actually knows you are married. If you got married abroad (outside of Italy), you must make sure your comune (local town hall) or nearest Italian consulate has officially registered and transcribed your marriage. This will involve getting your foreign marriage certificate apostilled and translated. You must make sure it is a legal translation, approved by an Italian court, because there are many spam translation companies out there. Questions about legal translations? Read our translation blog post. Step 2: The 1–3 Year Mandatory Waiting Period Once you are legally married, the clock starts. You must be married to your Italian spouse for a set amount of time before you are eligible to submit your online application. This specific timeframe depends on where you live and whether you have minor children together (biological or adopted): Where You Live Standard Waiting Period With Children (Bio or Adopted) Inside Italy 2 Years 1 Year Abroad 3 Years 1.5 Years Step 3: Gather Documents and Meet the B1 Language Requirement There is much to do while you wait for your timeline clock to run out. There are vital records to gather, and all of them need to be apostilled and legally translated into Italian. Start that process ASAP. While a few documents (criminal background checks and your Italian marriage certificate) must be dated within 6 months of your application, most do not. You can get your birth certificate, previous divorce decrees, and pertinent name-change documents well ahead of time. The Biggest Hurdle: The B1 Language Requirement for Italian Citizenship Applicants for citizenship by marriage must prove B1 language fluency under the Common European Framework. This is, approximately, an intermediate level of Italian. If your Italian spouse already speaks fluent Italian, then you may already have a good foundation. Otherwise, you should start studying. To prove you have the appropriate Italian skills, you have to pass the official B1 Cittadinanza exam. It is just under 2 hours long and tests your Italian listening, reading, writing, and speaking ability. The Biggest Trap: You do not have to be completely fluent in Italian to pass this exam. Many people spend months or years with a tutor because they think they need total fluency. This is the single biggest time and money waster in the entire process. You need to pass a specific exam, not be fluent in Italian. 🎯 Ready to pass on your first try without wasting years? Our B1 Cittadinanza Exam Prep Program is built specifically for English speakers. We do not teach you the entire language; we teach you the exact trends, structures, and scoring strategies needed to pass the B1 exam smartly. Knowing the tricks of the trade will save you years and thousands of dollars in language classes. Plus, once you pass, the certificate is good for life. You can even get it before you get married! 👉 Learn more about the B1 Cittadinanza Prep Program here Exam Frequency: Offered 6 times per year (February, April, June, July, October, and December). Registration Window: Opens about 8 weeks before the exam date. Certificate Timeline: Your score is released 8 to 12 weeks after the exam, and the physical certificate takes about 6 months from the exam date, so do not waste any time getting ready. Step 4: Submit the Application via the Online Portal Once all your documents are in hand and your mandatory waiting period is over, you apply online for citizenship. Although this may sound simple, keep these portal challenges in mind: The portal is entirely in Italian. You cannot use browser translation. Auto-translating the page breaks the background functionality of the portal and can cause submission errors. The language is deeply bureaucratic. We strongly suggest not jumping into the online application blindly. 💻 Navigate the Italian Portal with an English Companion Do not let confusing bureaucratic jargon stop you before you even begin. Our Step-by-Step Application Guide acts as a side-by-side translation map, walking you through every single screen of the live portal in clear English so you know exactly what to click and where to upload. 👉 Get instant access to the Application Guide here Step 5: Italian Citizenship by Marriage Processing Time (6 Months to 3 Years) The timeline for processing your application is completely dependent on where you live. If you live abroad, it is processed by your nearest Italian consulate. If you live in Italy, it is processed by your local comune or prefettura. The timeline is completely based on how busy your specific comune or consulate is. Legally, the government has up to 3 years to process your application. Some consulates have almost no citizenship applications, and your file may get processed in just a few months. On the other hand, I applied in Torino, Italy. In Torino, every single application takes the full 3 years. A Big Warning: If your consulate or comune is especially busy, it may be 2 years before an officer even looks at your application. The portal has no built-in warning system. If you make a mistake, you may not know until years after you submitted. Often, you will be given just a few days to correct an error. If you cannot fix the issue quickly (which is common if a document is missing or incorrect), you will be moved to the bottom of the list. Trust us, it is not worth risking this. 🛑 Don't risk a multi-year delay over a paperwork mistake. This is not the time to trust a random Facebook group for advice. Our comprehensive Step-by-Step Application Guide maps out every required document you need and includes custom, pre-vetted templates for tricky situations like name changes, ensuring your file is bulletproof the first time it gets reviewed. 👉 See what's included in the Application Guide Delays are not the only risk to watch. There are three things that can threaten a spouse's citizenship claim outright, and they are worth knowing before you apply. Step 6: Document Turn-In and the Oath of Citizenship Once your application is officially accepted, you will be sent a notification to come into the consulate or comune to turn in the original physical documents that you submitted online and take the official oath of citizenship. Some consulates and comunes do this in a single appointment, while others split it into two appointments, meaning one for the physical document turn-in and then a larger, formal oath ceremony. Conclusion: Is Italian Citizenship Worth the Wait? The process is long, but completely worth it. As an Italian citizen, there is no more worrying about visa renewals, getting a job in Italy is finally attainable, and you can travel easier within Europe. Still working out the practical side of relocating? Our guide to moving to Italy covers what comes before the citizenship paperwork. It is still much faster than applying for citizenship via any other naturalization method, especially when you plan for the B1 Cittadinanza exam well in advance and use a trusted guide to navigate the online application portal safely.

There are only 2 CILS Italian exams left in 2026, October 21st and December 3rd. Unfortunately, it's too late to sign up for the October exam but... registration for the December 3rd exam opens on October 5th and EVERY CILS exam is offered in December, unlike October which only has 2 exam options. Unsure if you'll be ready by December? Keep reading. All 2026 CILS Dates February 19th (passed) April 14th (passed) June 16th (passed) July 22nd (passed) October 21st (registration closed) December 3rd (registration opens October 5th) The CILS Exam Timeline If you take the exam on December 3rd, digital results will begin rolling out January 28th and your official paper certificate will arrive at the end of May 2027. Yep... 6 months before you will have a paper certificate in your hands. Wait until the February 2027 exam and you won't have a paper certificate until August 2027. In a hurry to pass the exam, but not sure you're ready? You are probably more ready than you think With the right preparation, 10 weeks is enough time to pass the A2 or B1 exams. We hear it all the time... "I don't think I'm ready" or "I need some 1 on 1 tutoring first" or even "I am not fluent yet." Remember, the assessor cannot evaluate your entire knowledge of a language in a couple hours. Additionally, more than half of the exam is multiple choice, and just 4-10 minutes it is actual speaking. Trust us, you don't need to be fluent in Italian. You just need to know the Italian that is actually on the exam, plus some insider information about the scoring process and strategies to pick an answer when you're unsure. With the right preparation plan, 10 weeks is absolutely enough time to get ready. There is no reason to keep postponing your exam. Let's Get the Exam Done! Smart move. Italian laws change all the time, as do the exams themselves, and none of them will get easier as time goes on. Here's your plan to get ready for December 3rd: Be REALLY sure what exam you need There are many types of CILS exams and all of them are offered in December. If you already know what you need, great! Otherwise, take our free quiz and find out exactly what you need. Prepare Efficiently Ready Set Italia has exam prep programs for A2 Integrazione (A2 Integration), B1 Cittadinanza (B1 Citizenship) and B1 (B1 Standard). Our programs are designed by native English speakers for native English speakers. 10 weeks is enough time to get ready if you start now. The programs are 100% online and include official past CILS exams with automatic grading, plus the scoring algorithm and testing strategies. And... you can reach us on WhatsApp if you have any questions. You can do this. We can help. Find your exam site The CILS exams are offered all over the world. But... there is no central registry system to sign up for the exams. Find your exam site now and contact the exam center to find out their process for signing up. Many sites will fill up in the first few days, so be ready. Want more time? The 2027 CILS exam dates have been released. The first session is February 18, 2027.

Italy's government has moved to eliminate the bollo auto for 14.5 million cars and motorcycles under 80kW starting in 2027. Here's what it means for you, and why getting your Italian driving license now puts you first in line to benefit. Executive Summary and Timeline On September 16, 2026, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government announced a major push to eliminate the regional vehicle ownership tax, known locally as the bollo auto, for all cars and motorcycles with a maximum power output of up to 80 kW (approximately 109 horsepower). The measure is expected to affect roughly 14.5 million vehicles across Italy, about 13.2 million cars and 1.1 million motorcycles and mopeds, which together make up more than 70% of vehicles currently on Italian roads. The Problem: Rising fuel costs and maintenance expenses have placed a heavy burden on everyday drivers and households, and the bollo auto has long been criticized as an outdated, difficult-to-enforce tax that penalizes ordinary car ownership. The Solution: A targeted tax exemption aimed at putting money back in the pockets of middle and lower income families who rely on smaller, more practical vehicles. The Timeline: The government introduced the measure by decree in mid-September 2026 and has stated its intent to make the exemption structural (permanent) through the 2027 budget law. Full rollout is planned for 2027, though the details still need to move through Italy's budget process, so some specifics could be refined before then. Why Italians Hate the Bollo Auto... And Why This Move Matters Now The Most Hated Tax in Italy For decades, the bollo auto has been a notorious fixture of Italian life. It's officially a regional ownership tax rather than a road-usage tax, which means motorists pay it every year regardless of whether the car is actively driven or simply parked on the street. For many citizens, it feels like a penalty for owning a basic means of transportation. Meloni herself put it plainly, calling it one of the taxes Italians hate most and describing the exemption as a structural change rather than a one-time giveaway. Relief for Everyday Families and Rising Fuel Pressure With fuel prices today sitting at painful highs, families relying on a single vehicle to manage commutes, errands, and daily life have felt the squeeze. Removing this tax eliminates a recurring, unavoidable yearly fee for the vast majority of drivers. For a typical small car, it's roughly €130–200 back in drvier's pocket every year. It's also a cornerstone of the government's broader fiscal strategy, delivering visible financial relief to millions of voters as momentum builds ahead of the 2027 elections. Worth Noting: The exemption is currently expected to apply to one vehicle per person, so a household with multiple cars would still pay the bollo on any additional vehicles. Example: If two individuals live in the same house but each has a qualifying vehicle (under 80kW) registered in their own name separately, both vehicles can be exempt at the same time. The "one vehicle per person" cap only kicks in if the same individual owns more than one qualifying vehicle themselves, in which case only one of their vehicles (the lowest-power one) gets the exemption, not their choice of vehicle. Electric vehicles already carry their own separate tax exemptions under existing rules and aren't the focus of this new measure. Regions, which currently collect bollo auto revenue directly, are also negotiating with Rome over how the roughly 2 billion euros in lost annual revenue will be reimbursed, a detail that's still being worked out and is worth watching as 2027 approaches. What Can You Drive Under the 80kW Limit? When the 2027 exemption goes live, it's expected to cover a wide range of practical, everyday vehicles. If you're wondering what kind of cars and motorcycles fall under the 80 kW threshold, here's a look at the spectrum: The Low End (city cars and scooters): Light city hatchbacks and standard commuter scooters, which fall under the motorcycle and moped provisions. Think nimble urban models like the Fiat Panda or Fiat 500 variants, along with mid-range motorbikes that are perfect for getting through traffic without burning through expensive fuel. The High End (family crossovers and sedans): At the upper limit of the 80 kW threshold, you're looking at compact SUVs, family station wagons, and mid-sized sedans. Many entry-to-mid-level trims of popular family cars, including efficient diesel and petrol-hybrid options, land right around 109 horsepower, letting families own a comfortable, long-distance car that's completely exempt from the bollo. Why This Is Timely for New Drivers in Italy If you're currently on the fence about getting your Italian driver's license (the patente), this policy shift is about as clear a green light as you'll get. Starting your driving journey in Italy comes with upfront costs: driving school fees, registration, lessons, and exam fees. Knowing that your first vehicle, whether it's a practical first car or a scooter, will likely be exempt from the yearly bollo auto starting in 2027 changes the long-term math of car ownership considerably. But you can't take advantage of a benefit you're not yet qualified to use. To be ready the moment the exemption takes effect, you need to clear the bureaucratic steps now, starting with passing your theory test to secure your learner's permit, the foglio rosa. The Italian theory exam is notoriously technical, and it's administered in Italian nationwide (with French and German available only in a small number of border regions). There is no English-language option anywhere in Italy, so preparation takes real time for non-native speakers. Starting your studies now means you'll be fully licensed and ready to buy or register an eligible vehicle the moment the 2027 exemption arrives, instead of scrambling to catch up. Master the Theory Test with Ready Set Italia Passing the Italian driving theory exam can feel like an uphill battle for English speakers, thanks to dense legal jargon and study materials that are often poorly translated. That's where Ready Set Italia comes in. The Patente B program is built specifically to help English speakers master the material needed to pass the Italian theory test, without the confusion of working through it in a second language. By breaking down complex traffic laws into clear, digestible, English-language modules, the program walks you from your first day of studying all the way to securing your foglio rosa. Don't wait until 2027 to get started. Head over to Ready Set Italia today, begin studying, lock in your license, and put yourself in position to save on vehicle taxes the moment the new policy takes effect. Quick FAQ: Is the 'bollo auto' exemption law in effect yet? Not fully. As of this writing, the government has introduced it by decree and stated its intention to make it permanent through the 2027 budget law. It still needs to move through Italy's normal budget process, so it's worth keeping an eye on for any changes before 2027. How much will I actually save? For most small and mid-size cars near the 80kW cutoff, that's roughly €130–200 a year, since the tax is based on engine power. Larger, more powerful vehicles pay more. How many vehicles will qualify? Roughly 14.5 million, about 13.2 million cars and 1.1 million motorcycles and mopeds, or more than 70% of vehicles on the road in Italy today. Does this apply to electric vehicles? Electric vehicles already have their own, separate bollo exemptions under existing Italian tax rules, so they sit outside this particular measure. What if my household has more than one car? Current reporting indicates the exemption is meant to apply to one vehicle per person, so additional household vehicles would likely still owe the bollo. Can I take the Italian driving theory test in English? No. It's offered in Italian nationwide, with French and German available only in specific border regions (Valle d'Aosta and Alto Adige/South Tyrol). There is no English-language version anywhere in the country.

There are exactly two CILS exam sessions left this year: October 21st and December 3rd. Registering early, preparing for the exam format and making sure you are signing up for the correct exam are all just as important as how much Italian you know. Step 1: Make sure you know which exam you actually need We see it all the time... Someone spends months preparing for the B1 Cittadinanza when they're also planning to work or study in Italy, which means they needed the B1 Standard. Or the reverse... Someone grinds through B1 Standard prep, a longer and harder exam, when their citizenship pathway only required the Cittadinanza version. Others prepare for a B1 when their residency situation actually calls for the A2 Integrazione. It takes two minutes to get it right. We built a free quiz that tells you exactly which Italian exam you actually need based on your specific situation, your residency status, and your goals. Step 2: Choose the right date What's offered on each exam date... October 21st offers the A2 Integrazione and the B1 Cittadinanza. December 3rd offers the same exams as October 21st plus the B1 Standard. Thinking 2026 may be a bit too early for you? See the 2027 CILS Exams HERE. Why October beats December (if your exam is offered in October) For B1 Cittadinanza and A2 Integrazione candidates, October 21st has a safety net. Here's the catch: October results won't appear online until around December 16th, after the December 3rd exam has already happened. And December registration closes October 24, just three days after you sit for the October exam. So the December backup is not something you decide after seeing your results. It's something you decide walking out of the exam room. Taking the B1 Standard? December 3rd is your only shot If you need the B1 Standard for work, university, or a professional license, the math is harsher: December 3rd is the only remaining 2026 date that offers it. There is no backup session. Miss the registration window or miss the pass mark, and your timeline moves to June 2027 for a re-take and no results until at least October 2027. That means B1 Standard candidates have the least room for error of anyone reading this post: one registration window to catch, one exam day to be ready for, and five sections to prepare instead of four. If that's you, your preparation needs to start now, and our B1 Standard exam prep program was built for exactly this run-up. Not every center offers every exam. Travel for the right one. Here's the mistake that quietly ruins applications: settling for whatever exam your nearest center happens to offer. Not every site runs every version. The A2 Integrazione is almost never offered abroad, and the B1 Cittadinanza is getting harder to find outside Italy. If the exam you need isn't offered nearby, it is worth traveling to a center that has it. A train ticket or even a flight is cheap compared to taking the wrong exam or failing an unnecessarily difficult exam. Take the right exam somewhere inconvenient over the wrong exam next door, every time. Step 3: Find your exam center to sign up Find your center now. Identify which centers actually offer your specific exam, not just CILS exams generally, even if that means looking beyond the closest one. Our step-by-step guide to registering for a CILS exam walks you through finding a center and the mistakes that get registrations rejected. Contact them now and verify the exam registration window and how you sign up. Have your documents ready. Your name must match your valid photo ID exactly. Sorting this out in advance is the difference between registering in five minutes and losing your seat to a paperwork problem. October 21st registration is closing fast... like NOW There is no centralized CILS exam signup. The University of Siena's official registration windows opened August 31st for the October 21st exam and opens October 5th for December 3rd. Each exam center manages its own registration on its own timeline, and many are already at or near capacity for October. The only date that matters is the one your center gives you, so contact them today and ask directly. Registration is filling up right now. The simplified exams like the B1 Cittadinanza are in the highest demand and offered at the fewest centers. Popular sites are closing registration the moment they hit capacity, sometimes within days of opening. If your center's October session is already full, ask right away about signing up for December 3rd instead. And whichever date you end up with, start preparing now. With 6 months of program access, you'll be ready no matter which exam you take. Step 4: Prepare for the exam... the smart way This isn't the moment to cram new Italian. It's the moment to fine-tune the Italian you need for this exam specifically and study the exam itself, its format, its scoring, what each section is actually testing. No general Italian class does that, because it isn't a language problem, it's a test-format problem. That's exactly what we built for English speakers: exam-specific prep, not generic Italian instruction. Frequently asked questions What are the remaining CILS exam dates in 2026? October 21st and December 3rd. The October session offers the A2 Integrazione and B1 Cittadinanza; the December session offers those plus the B1 Standard. See our 2026 CILS exam dates guide for the full calendar. Can I take the B1 Standard in October 2026? No. The B1 Standard's only remaining 2026 date is December 3rd, which makes it a single-attempt timeline: no same-year retake if something goes wrong. When are the registration windows for the remaining 2026 CILS exams? Registration for the October 21st session officially opened August 31st; for December 3rd, it opens October 5th. But each center sets its own exact window, so contact yours now and ask. Popular centers fill within days of opening, especially for the B1 Cittadinanza. Do all CILS exam centers offer every exam? No. Many centers only offer some versions, the A2 Integrazione is almost never available abroad, and the B1 Cittadinanza is increasingly hard to find outside Italy. If your exam isn't offered nearby, traveling to the right exam beats settling for the wrong one. Which exam do I need: B1 Cittadinanza, B1 Standard, or A2 Integrazione? It depends on your specific situation. Citizenship generally requires the B1 Cittadinanza, some residency situations call for the A2 Integrazione, and work or university goals may require the B1 Standard. Take the two-minute quiz for an answer based on your situation. October 21st is about six weeks away, and registration is already underway, closing the moment each center's seats fill. What you do this week decides which side of the "sold out" email you end up on.

No. The Patente B theory exam is in Italian. Not in English, not in Urdu, not in Spanish. If you live in Italy and you need a license, you will take the quiz in Italian, and no amount of asking at the motorizzazione changes that. We get this question every week, usually from someone who has been told the opposite by a friend, a driving school, or a Facebook group. So here is the whole story, once, so you can stop waiting for a version of the exam that is not coming. Where the rumor comes from It used to be true. Until the start of 2011, the theory exam was available in several foreign languages, and plenty of people who moved here before then took it that way. In January 2011 the Ministry of Transport rewrote the exam procedure and dropped the foreign-language versions. Since then the test has been Italian only, with French and German available on request because of Italy's official language minorities in Valle d'Aosta and Alto Adige. English was never one of the protected languages, so it went and it has not come back. Fifteen years later, the memory of the old exam is still doing the rounds. Someone's cousin took it in English in 2009, so obviously you can too. You cannot. "But there is a law coming" There is a bill. There is always a bill. The current one, Senate bill 1543, would change article 116 of the Codice della Strada to let residents request the exam in English at their own expense. It was assigned to a Senate committee in August 2025. Bills like this get proposed, get a sympathetic newspaper article, and then sit in committee until the legislature ends. Nothing about this one suggests a different fate, and even if it passed tomorrow the ministry would need months to write the decree, translate 7,000 questions, and roll it out. So the honest answer is: no, and do not plan your life around a bill. The EU version of this rumor, the one about Brussels creating a single English-language driving test for every member state, is a separate story with the same ending. We covered it in EU Driver License Reform: The Truth About the "Universal" Exam. What foreigners actually get Nothing extra. There is no oral exam in English, no interpreter, no dictionary, no extra time because Italian is not your first language. You get the same 30 true-or-false questions, drawn from the same official bank of about 7,000, in the same 20 minutes, with the same limit of 3 errors, as everyone else. Why this is less bad than it sounds The theory exam is not a language test. It is a reading test on a closed set of sentences. Every question you can be asked already exists, word for word, in the official question bank. The vocabulary is limited and repetitive: precedenza, carreggiata, senso unico, sorpasso, the same 200 or so words over and over. And the questions are built on a small number of patterns designed to trip you up on a single word, which is a problem for Italians too. That means an English speaker does not need to learn Italian to pass. You need to learn the exam's Italian. That is a much smaller job, and it is exactly the job our Patente B program does: every official question explained in English, the vocabulary that actually appears, the traps, and practice quizzes in the real exam format so that on the day nothing is new. Monthly at €99 or three months for €249. Start here, and if you want the full picture of the process first, our Patente B exam guide covers it start to finish. And the next time someone tells you the exam is coming in English, send them this. In the meantime you will be learning Italian with Ready Set Italia that not only helps you understand the Codice Della Strada, but also helps you integrate successfully into the culture you have chosen to reside within. We’re in your corner rooting for you all!

The University for Foreigners of Siena has released the official CILS exam calendar for 2027. If you are working toward Italian citizenship, a long-term residence permit, university enrollment, or a work contract, these are the dates to plan around. There are six sessions in 2027. Knowing the dates is only the first step, though. The exam you need will not be offered at every session, your local exam center may not offer it at all, and registering takes far longer than most people expect. Official CILS exam dates 2027 The 2027 CILS exam sessions are February 18, April 8, June 10, July 22, October 21, and December 2. These are the same dates you will see listed in Italian as the calendario esami CILS 2027. Which levels run at each session, when to start exam prep and when to register February 18 Start exam prep: Aug 17. Be ready to register: Dec 24. Levels offered: A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza. April 8 Start exam prep: Oct 7. Be ready to register: Feb 11. Levels offered: A2 Standard, A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza, B2. June 10 Start exam prep: Dec 9. Be ready to register: Apr 15. Levels offered: All levels. July 22 Start exam prep: Jan 21. Be ready to register: May 27. Levels offered: A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza. October 21 Start exam prep: Apr 20. Be ready to register: Aug 26. Levels offered: A2 Standard, A2 Integrazione, B1 Cittadinanza. December 2 Start exam prep: Jun 1. Be ready to register: Oct 7. Levels offered: All levels. The start-prep dates are six months before each exam, matching the access period on our programs. The register-by dates are eight weeks before. Treat the register-by date as the point at which you should already have your center chosen, your documents together, and your payment ready to send. Your center may open earlier, and some fill their seats within days, so earlier is always better. Already past the "Start exam prep" date? You are not too late. Six months is the comfortable pace while living a healthy work-study-life balance. Our programs are self-paced, and students have prepared and passed in as little as two months when they could give it more hours each week. The A1 levels run only if an exam center specifically requests them, so do not assume A1 is available near you even in June or December. What this means for your exam Taking A2 Integrazione for your residence permit? Also all six sessions. Taking B1 Cittadinanza for citizenship? You have all six sessions. February, April, June, July, October, and December. This is the most frequently offered exam in the CILS calendar. Taking B1 Standard for work, university, or vocational school? You have two. June 10 and December 2, and nothing else all year. If you miss June, the next opportunity is six months away. Plan backward from those two dates rather than assuming you can find a seat when you are ready. Taking B2 for university admission? Three sessions: April 8, June 10, and December 2. B2 is the level that exempts non-EU students from the Italian language test for university enrollment. Not sure which of these applies to you? Our complete CILS B1 exam guide compares B1 Cittadinanza and B1 Standard side by side. If you would rather just be told, take the two-minute quiz and we will point you to the right exam. The dates are global. The registration is not. One thing that confuses people organizing this from outside Italy: the exam dates are identical worldwide. June 10 is June 10 whether you sit the exam in Rome, São Paulo, Sydney, or Chicago. The University of Siena sets one calendar and every authorized center adheres to it. Registration is the opposite. There is no single, global registration. Every center handles its own, on its own timeline, with its own procedures and its own cutoff. Two centers in the same city can open registration weeks apart. So do not take a registration date you read on one center’s website, or in a Facebook group, or from a friend who took the exam in a different country, and assume it applies to you. The exam date is fixed and public. The registration window is local, and it is yours to find out. Your exam center decides what it actually offers This is the part that surprises people most, and it is why the calendar alone is not enough to plan with. The University of Siena sets the dates and decides which levels run at each session. Exam centers work inside that. A center cannot add a level Siena is not running. Nobody can offer you B1 Standard in February, because B1 Standard does not exist in February. What a center can do is offer less. It can choose to run only the June and December sessions. It can choose to offer only the standard B1 exam and never B1 Cittadinanza. Plenty of centers outside Italy do exactly that. If that is your situation and citizenship is your goal, it is usually worth traveling to a center that does offer B1 Cittadinanza. It is a significantly easier exam than B1 Standard, narrower in scope and shorter, and the gap in preparation required is wider than the cost of a train ticket or a night in a hotel. We compare the two in CILS B1 Cittadinanza vs B1 Standard. So a date appearing on the official calendar does not mean the exam you need is available near you on that date. We have also heard of exam centers telling people that B1 Cittadinanza is no longer offered, or that it is no longer accepted for Italian citizenship. That is not true. B1 Cittadinanza is on all six 2027 sessions and it remains a valid language requirement for citizenship. If a center tells you otherwise, they are telling you what they have chosen to administer, not what the exam is. We covered this in why the B1 Cittadinanza exam is getting harder to find abroad. If you are outside Italy, read it before building a timeline around any of these dates. Find your exam center now, not when registration opens This is the single best piece of preparation advice we can give you, and it has nothing to do with Italian. Exam centers almost always fill up in the first week that registration opens. Some fill in the first days. This is why we are not giving you a closing date to work toward: by the time any published deadline arrives, the seats are usually long gone. What matters is being ready the moment the window opens. And being ready takes longer than you think. Most centers still register candidates the old-fashioned way: a bank transfer, then an email with your payment receipt and documents attached. Some want specific forms. Some only answer email on certain days. Some will not hold your place until the payment clears. That is not something you can finish in an afternoon. If you start on the day registration opens, you have very likely already missed it. So do this now, whatever your exam date is: Identify the exam center you intend to use Contact them and ask when their registration opens Ask exactly what they require and how they want to be paid Have your documents and bank details ready before that date Our guide on how to find and register for a CILS exam center walks you through the process, and CILS exam locations worldwide indicates where you need to look. Give yourself enough runway Once you have a date, work backward from it. Our programs give you six months of access, and that is deliberate. It is enough time to prepare at a sustainable pace alongside work and everything else: to learn the format, work through past exams, find your weak sections, and fix them without cramming. They are self-paced, so if you can put in more hours each week you can move faster. What does not work is starting two or three weeks out. That is not preparing, it is hoping. Pick your session, then start far enough in advance to actually use the time effectively. Ready Set Italia builds exam preparation programs in English: B1 Cittadinanza for citizenship applicants B1 Standard for work, university, vocational school, and residency A2 Integrazione for the long-term residence permit These are exam preparation programs, not Italian language courses. They assume you already have a basic knowledge of Italian and teach you how the exam is built and scored. Many of our students have passed starting with only basic Italian. Not sure which exam you need? Take the two-minute quiz.