Knowing Italian to live and work in Italy

The Integration Agreement is a contract between the migrant resident, legally residing in Italy, and the Italian State.
The Agreement is to be signed by foreign nationals above 16 years, who have entered Italia for the first time after 10th March 2012, requesting a Stay Permit of not less than 1 year.

Who does not have to sign the Integration Agreement?

The following do not have to sign:
-    Minors under 16 years;
-    Unaccompanied minors under guardianship;
-    Victims of trafficking, violence or exploitation.
EXEMPTED from subscription are those suffering from disease or disability that seriously limit self-sufficiency or cause grave difficulties in language or cultural learning, certified by a public health organisation or by a National Health doctor.

 When must you sign the Integration Agreement?

When you apply for the Residence Permit, which you do at the Prefecture or Police Headquarters, you will be asked to sign the Agreement. You will be able to read it in your own language and you will be given a copy to keep.

What do you agree to do signing The Integration Agreement?
The commitments involved by signing are 5:
1.    Know the fundamental principles of the Italian Republic Constitution and of the organisation and workings of Italian public institutions (e.g. political elections, The Government, the Chamber of Deputies, the Town Hall, the Regions etc.);
2.    Learn spoken Italian, at least up to level A2 (see the Common European Framework);
3.    Know civilian life in Italy, that is the health system, schooling, social services, work organisation, tax system etc.
4.    Send children to school complying to the rules for compulsory education;
5.    Declare agreement with the Charter of Citizenship and Integration Values.

For each of these commitments there are “points” provided, that is a precise number to achieve in order to obtain a Stay Permit.

How long does the Integration Agreement last?

The Agreement lasts for two years and can be extended for a further year. One month before expiry of the two years, the Sportello Unico will check the total number of “credits” you have obtained which must be   30 or more.

- If you have not obtained 30 credits when the two years expire, the agreement will be extended for a further year under the same conditions;

- If you are not in possession of the documentation to demonstrate that you have obtained the credits, you may ask to sit a test of your knowledge of the Italian language, civic culture and civil life in Italy;

- If you do not have the credits, do not sit the test or do not pass it, the Agreement has not been respected for non-fulfilment causing annulment of the residence permit or refusal of its renewal.

What is the first thing you must do once you have signed the Agreement?

Once you have signed the Agreement you are allocated 16 points. Attending the free civic education course, the points will be confirmed when the agreement is verified by passing the test.

What do you have to do to attend a civic education course?

The Prefecture or Police Headquarters, depending on where you have applied for your first residence permit, will give you an appointment to attend the course. The appointment may be given to you immediately, when you sign the Agreement, or you may verify it here.

If you don’t manage to attend the course, what happens?

WARNING!

If you don’t attend the course, 15 points will be taken from you!! And you will not be given the chance to attend the course at another date.

If you already know that you will not be able to attend on that date, you must notify it before the date of the course or on the date of the course in the event of sickness or an unforeseen work commitment and you must have a document proving the truth of what you say. For example, if you are sick, you must have a document from your doctor, or if you cannot attend for reasons of work you must provide a document from your employer.

Notifications must be sent to the e-mail address pref_milano@interno.it always indicating:

1)      the identification of the Agreement

2)      Tax Code

3)      Personal data

4)      Address of the school where you must attend the course

How many points for knowing Italian?
The Integration Agreement requests that you know spoken Italian, at least up to level A2, within 2 years, with the possibility of an extension up to 3 years.
For level A2 you have to be able to, for example, answer questions about yourself, your family, work, the city where you live, things you want to buy and things that you need etc.

The following is a list of points you obtain according to how much Italian you know:

Level A1 (spoken Italian only):10 points
Level A1: 14 points
Level A2 (spoken Italian only): 20 points
Level A2: 24 points
Level B1 (spoken Italian only): 26 points
Level B1: 28 points
Levels above B1: 30 points

What do you have to do to learn Italian?
To learn Italian you can attend a course. In this link milano.italianostranieri.org you can look for suitable courses for your needs and purposes (such as level, timing, vicinity of your home, cost etc)
Note: NOT ALL COURSES GIVE A VALID DOCUMENT CERTIFYING THE LEVEL OF ITALIAN THAT YOU HAVE ACHIEVED!

Which courses provide attestations?
Attestation is a document, diverse from a “certificate”, shows that you know Italian up to a certain level.
An attestation is issued, for instance, by:
-    CPIA, Permanent Local Centres (see List);


IF  YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GET AN ATTESTATION OF KNOWLEDGE FOR ITALIAN AND TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL AND CIVIL COURSES, THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE OF QUESTURA , WILL OFFER YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT A TEST TO ASSESS THE DIFFERENT SKILLS ACQUIRED.