From December 9th 2010, foreign nationals who apply for the EU Long Term Residence Permit must undergo an Italian Language test. The level of Italian required to pass is the equivalent of Level A2 established by the Common European Framework of References for Language Learning, as approved by the Council of Europe. 

Foreigners who apply for an update of the EC long-term residence permit do not have to take the Italian test.

The following persons are exempt from sitting the Italian language test: 

• minors under the age of 14 years;
• foreign nationals who have serious learning difficulties owing to age, illness or disability. Certified by a doctor of the Local Health Authority;
• persons who have studied, obtaining a middle or high school diploma or those studying in university or doing a masters or doctorate;
• persons already in possession of a certificate proving knowledge of the Italian Language at a level that is not inferior to the A2 Level approved by the Council of Europe for language learning across the Union. The certficate must be issued by a recognised organisation that has been certified by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry for Education, University and Research. Italy, the certification bodies are: Roma Tre University, Perugia University for Foreigners, Siena University for Foreigners, Dante Alighieri Society or other authorized offices);
• who has a CELI, CILS, PLIDA or CERT diploma. A2 level Italian language IT taken abroad before coming to Italy;
• persons who have frequented an Italian Language course at a Provincial Centre for Adult Education and has obtained knowledge of the Italian language that is not inferior to Level A2;
• persons who have obtained, through the credit system established by the Integration Agreement (article 4-bis, Immigration Legislation) a recognition of a level of knowledge of the Italian language that is not inferior to Level A2;
• managers or highly specialised persons, university lecturers, university professors, interpreters, journalists who are officially commissioned entries, in accordance with article 27 clause 1, letter A C D Q
• who has obtained international protection
• who has a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen

Whereby the foreign national does not have to sit any test, the Questura verifies, using authenticated copies of educational qualifications or course attendance certificates, the exemption to sit the test.