How to obtain Italian Citizenship

In Italy, a person can become a citizen of the Italian Republic under certain conditions:

By birth in the country, i.e., Ius Soli: until the new law, which has already voted on by the Lower Chamber of Parliament and is currently being debated in the Senate, is approved, only children who are born in Italy to unknown or stateless persons or who have been abandoned without citizenship may become Italian citizens.

The following persons may apply for Italian Citizenship:

• Minors who have been declared children of Italian citizens by decree of a judge of a Court of First Instance
• Minors adopted by Italian citizens
• Minor children of a parent whom they must live together with, a naturalised Italian, i.e., a person who has acquired or regained Italian citizenship
• Adults, upon reaching 18 years of age, born in Italy, who have resided legally without interruption until coming of age
• Adults who have resided uninterruptedly in Italy with a regular residence permit

The Ius Soli reform

The reform provides that the right of citizenship by birth be granted to children born in Italy to foreign nationals, of whom at least 1 parent has the right of permanent residence.

Citizen by right of blood or Iure Sanguinis

An Italian citizen is whoever receives citizenship by right of blood, i.e., is born to, or is adopted, also abroad, by parents of whom at least one is an Italian citizen. This right is guaranteed also for the descendants of Italian ancestors deceased after 17 March 1861 who emigrated abroad, provided that they are able to demonstrate that at the time of the birth of the ascendant, their ancestor was still a citizen and had not renounced Italian citizenship. This right is also recognized in the presence of dual citizenship.

Citizen by Culture or Iure Culturae (reform to be approved)

It is the recognition of citizenship to foreign children born in Italy, or who have arrived in Italy within age 12, the children of parents of whom 1 legally residing in Italy and who have attended school for at least 5 years and successfully completed a course of studies, elementary school, secondary school or vocational training.

Citizenship acquired by marriage or Iure Matrimonii

Granted to a foreign or stateless spouse who has married an Italian citizen. Citizenship is granted after marriage, in the course of the marital bond, and after 2 years of residence in Italy or, if residing abroad, after 3 years of marriage. The terms are reduced by half if the spouses have natural or adopted offspring

Citizenship by residence or naturalisation

Adults who have resided for a certain period of time and are duly registered with the public registry in Italy may apply for Italian citizenship. Those entitled are divided as follows:

• Residents belonging to one of the 27 EU Member States. Residence time: 4 years
• Non-EU nationals. Residence time: 10 years
• Stateless persons and refugees. Residence time: 5 years