CILS EXAMS IN BASEL
CILS Italian exams – Certify your language skills with ILS Basel
The CILS exam (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera) is an internationally recognized certificate for Italian as a foreign or second language. It assesses language skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking and is based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. The CILS certificate is recognized by educational institutions, employers, and authorities and serves as proof of language proficiency for work, study, or residence in Italy. All information on CILS exam dates, Registration requirements for levels A1 to C2 can be found below.
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TEST DATES & PRICES
Prices, exam dates & Registration
Here you will find all the important information about the individual CILS exam levels, including exam dates, duration, and fees.
Prices for CILS Italian exams
| Level | CILS exam in CHF | CILS partial exam in CHF |
|---|---|---|
| A1 standard | 260 | 65 |
| A1 children (8-11 years old) | 260 | 65 |
| A1 adolescents (12-16 years) | 260 | 65 |
| A1 integration | 260 | 260 |
| A2 standard | 290 | 75 |
| A2 children (8-11 years old) | 290 | 75 |
| A2 adolescents (12-16 years old) | 290 | 75 |
| A2 integration | 290 | 290 |
| B1 standard* | 295 | 75 |
| B1 a (adolescents, ages 12-16) | 295 | 75 |
| B1 c (citizenship)* | 275 | 275 |
| B2 standard* | 295 | 75 |
| C1 standard* | 310 | 80 |
| C1 in medicine | 310 | 80 |
| C2 standard* | 310 | 80 |
**Repeat attempts are only valid with the participant number.
The exam fee must be paid by the end of the registration period.
CILS exam dates
| Exam name & exam level | Examination date | Registration and cancellation deadline |
|---|---|---|
| A2 integration / B1 C | 19.12.2026 | 19.01.2026 |
| A2 Standard / A2 Integration / B1 C / B1 A / B2 A / B2 / C1 only for medical students | 14.04.2026 | 14.03.2026 |
| A1 / A1 Children / A1 A / A1 Integration in Italy / A2 Standard / A2 Children / A2 A / A2 Integration in Italy / B1 A / B1 C / B1 Standard / B2 / B2 A / C1 / C2 | 16.06.2026 | 07.05.2026 |
| A2 integration / B1 C | 22.07.2026 | 22.06.2026 |
| A2 Standard / A2 Integration / B1 C | 21.10.2026 | 21.09.2026 |
| A1 / A1 Children / A1 A / A1 Integration in Italy / A2 Standard / A2 Children / A2 A / A2 Integration in Italy / B1 A / B1 C / B1 Standard / B2 / B2 A / C1 / C2 / | 03.12.2026 | 24.10.2026 |
Information about the examination procedure
| type of examination | Level | Written section | Oral part | total duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CILS Standard | A1 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 10 min. | 1 hour 40 minutes |
| CILS Standard | A2 | 2h | 10 min. | 2 hours 10 minutes |
| CILS Standard | B1 | 3h | 10 min. | 3 hours 10 minutes |
| CILS Standard | B2 | 3 hours 30 minutes | 10 min. | 3 hours 40 minutes |
| CILS Standard | C1 | 4h | 15 min. | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| CILS Standard | C2 | 5h | 15 min. | 5 hours 15 minutes |
| CILS Integration | A2 | 1 hour 40 minutes | 10 min. | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| CILS Solo for Medical Specialists | C1 | 4h | 15 min. | 4 hours 15 minutes |
| CILS Bambini | A1-A2 | 1 hour 20 minutes | 10 min. | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| CILS Integration in Italy | A1-A2 | 1 hour 30 minutes | 10 min. | 1 hour 40 minutes |
MORE INFO
More about our CILS exams in Basel
Learn more about our CILS exams in Basel!
CILS at ILS ILS-Basel
The ILS-Basel is a recognized examination center for the The number of examination places is limited. Please register early using the registration form or directly at our office. The respective registration deadlines can be found in the table "Examination dates & registration deadlines." Registrations are only possible until the registration deadline; unfortunately, registrations received after this date cannot be considered. The exam fees must be paid in full on the day of the exam at the latest, otherwise participation will be excluded. and offers dates for all levels – A1 to C2 – as well as special variants such as CILS Bambini (A1–A2), CILS Integrazione (A2) and CILS Solo per gli Specializzandi di Medicina (C1). Here you have the opportunity to officially confirm your Italian language skills according to international standards and obtain a certificate that is recognized by employers, educational institutions, and authorities in Italy, Switzerland, and worldwide.
The CILS exams are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and test listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. Whether you need Italian for work, study, medical recognition, or residence and naturalization purposes, the CILS certificate is valuable proof of your language skills.
The ILS-Basel not only assists you with Registration the CILS exam, but also supports you throughout the entire examination process. If you wish, you can attend special CILS exam preparation courses, which will prepare you specifically for the requirements of the respective level. The experienced teachers at ILS-Basel will be happy to provide you with advice and support.
All important information about the current CILS exam dates, exam content, and registration procedures can be found directly at ILS-Basel. Passing the CILS exam at ILS-Basel new opportunities for you—whether for your professional career, your studies, or your personal development in Basel and beyond.
CELI or CILS
BothCELIandCILSare internationally recognized certificates for Italian as a foreign language. Both test the four core language skills:listening, reading, writing, and speaking. With either certificate, you can prove your Italian language skills forstudy, work, or naturalization—even in Switzerland, especially in the Italian-speaking cantons.
The most important difference lies in their origin:CELIis issued by theUniversità per Stranieri di Perugia, whileCILSis issued by theUniversità per Stranieri di Siena. While both exams are based on the same levels ofthe Common European Framework of Reference (A1–C2), they differ in terms ofexam variants, preparation options, and exam centers.
For exam participants, this means that depending on your location, available preparation, and personal goals, one certificate may be more practical than the other. Both offer the optionof retaking failed sections individually, allowing you to demonstrate your knowledge flexibly.




