Italian A2 test for the EU long-term residence permit
The Italian A2 test at the prefettura is required for the EU long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo). It is taken on computer, or on paper if you ask, and has three parts: listening, reading and written interaction. You pass with at least 80% of the points.
Free practice for all three parts
The test at a glance
- Listening10 questions on two short texts, 25 minutes; you hear each text 2 times
- Reading10 questions on two short texts, 25 minutes
- Written interactionone task in 10 minutes, a reply to a message or a form
- Total60 minutes
- Pass markAt least 80% of 100 points
- InvitationWithin 60 days of your online application
Who has to take it
Anyone applying for the EU long-term residence permit. According to the Ministry of the Interior, that means people who have lived legally in Italy for at least 5 years, hold a valid residence permit and are at least 14. The level required is A2 of the Common European Framework: understanding frequently used sentences and expressions in everyday situations.
Who does not need the test
- Children: sons and daughters under 14.
- Italian certificate: level A2 or higher from one of the 5 recognised bodies: Roma Tre University, the Universities for Foreigners of Perugia, Siena and «Dante Alighieri» Reggio Calabria, and the Società Dante Alighieri.
- CPIA course: a qualification at level A2 or higher at the end of an Italian course at an adult education centre (CPIA), or A2 recognised under the integration agreement.
- School or university in Italy: an Italian lower or upper secondary school diploma, or enrolment at an Italian university, doctorate or master's programme.
- Some workers and health reasons: people who entered for certain jobs under article 27 of the Immigration Act (for example senior managers, university professors, translators and interpreters, foreign correspondents), and people with serious learning difficulties certified by a public health service.
If you are exempt, you attach the documents to your residence permit application instead.
The three parts
| Part | What you do | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Two short texts (dialogues, phone calls, announcements, radio), 10 questions: multiple choice, matching or true/false; each text is played 2 times | 25 min | 30 |
| Reading | Two short texts (notices, letters, short articles, instructions, ads), 10 questions of the same kinds | 25 min | 35 |
| Written interaction | Reply to an email, postcard or invitation, usually giving three pieces of information, or fill in a form | 10 min | 35 |
This is the format in the Ministry of Education's vademecum for the commissions that prepare the test. The questions change at every session.
How it is scored
Each correct answer is worth 3 points in listening and 3.5 points in reading; a wrong or blank answer scores nothing. The written task earns up to 35 points if complete and appropriate, and up to 28 if only partly done. You pass with at least 80% of the 100 points.
Our practice shows how many answers you got right. It is not an official result.
How to book
- Online application: on the Ministry of the Interior's Portale Servizi, addressed to the prefettura of the province where you have your domicile (usually where you live).
- Details needed: your personal details, your residence permit (type and expiry date), your passport or travel document and the address for the invitation.
- Invitation: the prefettura gives you the day, time and place within 60 days.
- On the day: bring the invitation letter and an identity document.
Good to know
- On paper: if you ask, you can take the test in writing instead of on computer, with the same tasks and the same time.
- Result: the prefettura enters it in the Ministry's system and you can check it on the Portale Servizi. You do not receive a certificate.
- If you fail: you can apply again. The prefetture of Palermo and Potenza state a wait of 90 days after a failed test.
- Fee: the decree and the prefettura pages we read do not mention a fee for the test.
- Afterwards: the questura checks your result when it decides on your EU residence permit.
Independent practice
FreeExamPath is independent and not affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior, the prefetture or the CPIA. Our texts and questions are our own and follow the public format of the test.
Official information
- Decree of 7 December 2021 on the test (Gazzetta Ufficiale, in Italian)
- Ministry of the Interior: Portale Servizi for the application and the result
- Ministry of the Interior: leaflet on the test (PDF, in Italian)
- Vademecum: content, scoring and timing of the test (in Italian)
- Prefettura di Palermo: the Italian language test (in Italian)
Questions about the Italian A2 test
How long is the Italian A2 test?
60 minutes in all: listening 25, reading 25 and written interaction 10 minutes.
How many points do I need to pass?
At least 80% of the 100 points: listening is worth 30, reading 35 and the written task 35.
Who is exempt from the test?
For example children under 14 and people with an Italian certificate at A2 or higher from a recognised body, a A2 qualification from a CPIA or an Italian school diploma.
Are these official practice tests?
No. They are our own free practice tests in the format of the test, with no sign-up. They show how many answers you got right.
Official sources (5)
- Decreto 7 dicembre 2021: modalità di svolgimento del test di conoscenza della lingua italiana (GU Serie generale n. 36 del 12-2-2022) — Ministero dell'Interno, Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica italiana, checked 19 October 2026
- Portale Servizi del Dipartimento per le libertà civili e l'immigrazione — Ministero dell'Interno, checked 19 October 2026
- Il test di lingua italiana per gli stranieri (opuscolo) — Ministero dell'Interno, Dipartimento per le libertà civili e l'immigrazione (on prefettura.interno.gov.it), checked 19 October 2026
- Vademecum: indicazioni tecnico-operative per la definizione dei contenuti delle prove che compongono il test, criteri di assegnazione del punteggio e durata del test — Ministero dell'Istruzione (DG Istruzione e formazione tecnica superiore), hosted by the Prefettura di Venezia, checked 19 October 2026
- Test di conoscenza della lingua italiana — Prefettura - Ufficio Territoriale del Governo di Palermo, checked 19 October 2026