How long does it actually take to learn Italian?
It depends on your goal and your consistency. Here's a realistic breakdown, level by level, at a steady 15-20 minutes a day.
The short answer
For a Darija- or Arabic-speaking learner, the realistic answer is about 3.5 months to reach A2, about 7 months to reach B1 and about 18 months or more to reach C1, studying a steady 15 to 20 minutes a day with Lerniyo. These are Lerniyo’s own estimates, not promises: your starting point, your consistency and how much you speak all change them.
The CEFR levels are the yardstick: A1 and A2 are the beginner levels, B1 and B2 the independent levels, and C1 the proficient level. Which level you need depends on what you want Italian for, so start with your goal and then read the timeline for it below.
Last updated:
~3.5 months
to A2 (residence-permit level)
~7 months
to B1 (citizenship by marriage/residency level)
At 15-20 minutes a day. Faster if you do more, slower if you're inconsistent — these are estimates, not promises.
Level by level
What changes your timeline
Consistency
Daily practice beats occasional cramming — 15 minutes every day adds up faster than 2 hours once a week.
Your goal
A long-term residence permit only needs A2, not B1 or higher — know your target before you plan your timeline.
Starting point
Already know some French or Spanish? Italian's shared Latin roots mean you'll likely move through A1-A2 faster than starting a completely unrelated language.
Speaking practice
Speaking out loud regularly is what makes Italian feel usable, not just theoretical — it's the biggest lever for feeling fluent sooner.
How long for your goal?
Pick the goal closest to yours. The times are cumulative from zero and match the table above.
Everyday basics (A1)
About 5 to 6 weeks. Enough for greetings, shopping, directions and a first introduction.
A long-term residence permit (A2)
About 3.5 months. A2 is the level Italy requires for the long-term EC residence permit, but check what your prefettura requires.
Citizenship by marriage or residency (B1)
About 7 months. B1 is the level asked for these routes, and the application has other requirements too.
Study or a skilled job (B2)
About 11 to 12 months. B2 is the level many programs and employers ask for.
Advanced and academic Italian (C1)
About 18 months or more. This is the level for demanding studies and senior roles.
What slows learners down
- Assuming that Italian is the same as Spanish or French. The shared roots help, but false friends and Italian verb forms still need study.
- Studying in bursts: three hours once a week is worth less than 15 to 20 minutes every day.
- Learning only to read and write, with no speaking. Speaking out loud is what makes Italian usable.
- Skipping the auxiliary verbs: choosing “avere” or “essere” correctly in the past tense is a constant source of errors.
- Ignoring double consonants and stress in pronunciation, which change meaning in Italian.
- Aiming at an exam such as the CILS before the level is there.
How to reach your level faster
A few habits make the same timeline shorter:
- 1
Choose a target level and a date
Know whether you need A2, B1, B2 or C1 and for which file or program, then work backwards from the table above.
- 2
Study every day, even briefly
Fifteen to twenty focused minutes daily, plus review of old words, beats long irregular sessions.
- 3
Speak from the beginning
Talk out loud with Nour in every lesson. Mistakes in speaking are part of learning.
- 4
Use the Italian around you
News, songs, series and radio at your level add hours that do not feel like study.
- 5
Re-check your level
Take the free level test after each level to confirm you are ready to move on.
Not sure where you'd start?
Take the free 2-minute level testCommon questions
Can I learn Italian in 3 months?
You can reach a strong A1 and be well into A2 in 3 months with daily practice, but a full A2 (residence-permit level) realistically takes about 3.5 months, and B1 (citizenship level) about 7 months.
Is A2 enough for a residence permit?
Usually yes — A2 is the standard Italian-language requirement for a long-term (EC) residence permit, in force since December 2010. Confirm the current rule and accepted proof with your prefettura or questura.
Do I need B1 for citizenship?
It depends on the path. B1 is required for citizenship by marriage or by residency (since Law 132/2018). Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) has no language requirement at all.
How long does it take to learn Italian from zero?
To a first real level (A1), about 5 to 6 weeks. To A2 about 3.5 months, to B1 about 7 months and to C1 about 18 months or more, with consistent daily practice. These are Lerniyo’s estimates, not guarantees.
How long does it take to reach B2?
About 11 to 12 months from zero, which is 20 to 24 weeks of study after B1.
How many minutes a day should I study Italian?
Lerniyo’s estimates assume about 15 to 20 focused minutes a day, every day. More time can shorten them, but regular practice matters more than long sessions.
How long should I prepare for the CILS, CELI or PLIDA?
It depends on your level today and the one you need. Reach the level the exam tests first, then practice the exam format. Check the exact requirement of the office or program that asks for it.