Learning Italian Before You Move: A Realistic Timeline

Why Italian Still Matters

Many degrees are taught in English, but rent, offices, health care and friendships happen in Italian. Even basic fluency makes your first months far smoother.

A Realistic Timeline

Aim for A2 before you move and B1 within your first year. Six months of steady study — even 30 minutes a day — gets most students to a confident A2.

What to Focus On

Prioritize practical vocabulary: housing, paperwork, transport and shopping. Bureaucratic words appear constantly when you handle your permesso di soggiorno and codice fiscale.

Keep Going After Arrival

Universities and regions offer subsidized Italian courses. Combine them with everyday practice. For the full move checklist, read the study-in-Italy guide and the FAQ, or get the PDF guide.