Courses, exams and study materials

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Italian and German courses and self-learning

To integrate and actively participate in social life, it is essential to know the language of the area. Having good knowledge of one or more languages offers the possibility to train and grow one’s cultural background and professional skills, thus opening up better job opportunities.

There are several ways to learn a new language: see the portal dedicated to the world of languages in South Tyrol and in particular:

Free Italian and German courses for migrants for A1 and A2 (CEFR) levels. The courses are for people who are 16 years old or older and hailing from non-EU countries. They have a duration of 40 hours, are free of charge and can start throughout the province once the minimum number of 5 participants is reached.

Additional Italian and German courses are offered for the price of a membership fee - go to programs

Language Centres are the point of reference for the language integration of students in schools.

Additional preparatory material is available online or at the Independent Language Learning Centres

Italian language knowledge examinations

Since January 2011, foreign citizens hailing from non-EU countries requesting an EC residence permit for long-term residency are required to pass an Italian language knowledge test of CEFR level A2.  The test checks three skills: listening, reading and writing. Those who wish to take a simulated test can find at the following link an example of test with solutions as well as information regarding registration in different languages.
It is also possible to download the Permesso?” booklet and related audio material, containing a series of exercises for exam preparation, free of charge.

For the integration agreement, it is sufficient to obtain any certification of Italian language knowledge with the A2 minimum level for spoken language (CEFR). Alternatively, you can pass the specific test at the ITCAT Institute "Delai" in Bolzano.
Info: https://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Ricerca-norme/Dettaglio-norma/id/9/Accordo-di-integrazione

To obtain the Italian citizenship, it is necessary to pass a special exam at level B1 except for some exceptions (for example if you are in possession of a long-term residence permit obtained with the A2 language exam or by signing the integration agreement) as detailed in the Law Decree No. 113 art.14 dated October 4, 2018,   https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2018/12/03/18A07702/sg.
Language agencies that organize B1 exams in the province of Bolzano: www.provincia.bz.it/certificazioni-linguistiche

In South Tyrol only to be eligible for the additional provincial services "provincial household allowance" "provincial household allowance +," and "provincial child allowance" starting from 2023, citizens from non-EU countries will have to prove verbal knowledge of one of the provincial languages at level A2 of the CEFR and demonstrate knowledge of the local society and culture. For info and registration: Living together in South Tyrol - Zusammenleben in Südtirol