How long does it take to get Italian citizenship: A guide to timelines and requirements

Christmas in Italy: a celebration of faith, family, and culture

Christmas in Italy, or Natale, is a cultural and religious experience that stretches across regions, generations, and centuries. From the solemnity of sacred traditions to the warmth of family gatherings and the indulgence of festive foods, Italian Christmas is a season of joy, reflection, and community.

09/05/2025

Italian Constitutional Court upholds citizenship by descent amid legal challenges

The Italian Constitutional Court reaffirmed the legitimacy of citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) for individuals born outside Italy. The ruling, issued under Sentence No. 142/2025, rejected constitutional challenges raised by four ordinary courts—Rome, Milan, Florence, and Bologna—against the long-standing legal framework that allows descendants of Italian nationals to claim citizenship regardless of generational distance or territorial ties.

09/03/2025

The best cities to live in Italy in 2025

Italy conjures images of sun-drenched piazzas, Renaissance art, and plates of pasta that seem to defy culinary logic. But for those considering moving to the country—not just a vacation trip—the question shifts from “Where’s the most beautiful?” to “Where can I actually live well?”.

09/01/2025

Between two worlds: Exploring the Italian and American cultural differences

Culture is more than language, food, or fashion—it’s a way of life, a lens through which people interpret the world and define themselves. For Italian-Americans, navigating the space between Italian heritage and American identity often brings both pride and tension.

08/28/2025

Italy’s 2026–2028 work visa decree: promise, pitfalls, and policy shifts

With the intention of addressing Italy’s labor shortages, the Council of Ministers, under the leadership of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has approved a new decree on labor migration and work visas. Scheduled for implementation across the 2026–2028 period, the decree authorizes 497,550 legal entries for non-European Union workers with permanent or seasonal contracts—an increase from the previous allocation of 450,000 permits during the 2023–2025 cycle.

07/23/2025

How Italy’s supreme court challenges government authority

Two key developments this past week signal a powerful, unambiguous message: the courts are keeping a close watch on legislation that could infringe fundamental rights. The most emblematic example is the challenge posed by the Cassazione—Italy’s Supreme Court—against the government’s Decreto Sicurezza (Security Decree).

07/21/2025

Acquiring Italian Citizenship

Italy, with its rich cultural heritage and enchanting landscapes, beckons dreamers worldwide. If you plan to embrace Italian identity, you might have wondered how long it takes to go through this process. Let’s delve into the intricacies of acquiring Italian citizenship.

Whether you’re tracing your lineage through descent, seeking citizenship through marriage, or establishing residency, understanding the process and associated timeframes is crucial.

Italian citizenship by descent (Jus Sanguinis)

Preparing the correct documents for the citizenship process can take from 1 to more than 2 years, depending on the case. The process involves the following steps:

Research and Documentation: The first step toward claiming Italian citizenship by descent is to research vital records that can confirm your eligibility. You’ll need to gather official documentation showing that at least one parent or grandparent was born in Italy, or that one of your Italian parents resided continuously in Italy for a minimum of two years.
Naturalization Records: It is important to obtain non-naturalization records, showing that your relative never naturalized as a citizen of another country.
Certified Vital Records: locating other certified vital records from the relevant jurisdictions, such as state, county, and township records, is necessary.
Document Rectification: if any of your documents contain errors or discrepancies, such as incorrect names or dates, you will need to correct these before submitting them. This may involve requesting amended records from the issuing authorities. Ensure that all documents are accurate and consistent to avoid delays in the citizenship process.
Translation: once you’ve gathered the necessary documents, they must be translated into Italian. If your documents are in a language other than Italian, you will need to find a certified translator to translate them into Italian.
Apostille: for documents from countries that are part of the Hague Convention, they will need to be authenticated with an apostille to verify their authenticity. This step is crucial to ensure that your documents are recognized as valid in Italy.

The quote is quick, free, and without any commitment. We'll get back to you with more details within 24 hours.

Italian Consulates

As of June 2025, Italian consulates no longer accept applications for Italian citizenship. All administrative procedures are expected to be centralized under a newly established governmental authority in Italy; however, the structure of this body and its official guidelines have yet to be announced.

Italian Court System

On March 28, 2025, Italy enacted Decree-Law No. 36/2025, introducing major restrictions on jus sanguinis citizenship. The approval of Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, solidified the new limitations proposed by Decree–Law No. 36/2025. Historically, Italian citizenship recognition had no generational limits, allowing great-grandchildren and further descendants to apply.

The new law restricts eligibility to individuals whose Italian parent(s) or grandparent(s) were born in Italy. If an individual’s parents—but not grandparents—resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years, they may still qualify for citizenship under the eligibility criteria.

Additionally, the Italian ancestor must have held Italian citizenship exclusively at the time of their death. This means that if your Italian parent or grandparent naturalized as a citizen of another country, you would no longer be eligible for Italian citizenship.

This law is controversial, as it retroactively regulates past nationality claims, contradicting established legal principles that laws should only govern future events. In fact, the Italian Constitutional Court has ruled in past cases that retroactive restrictions must be proportionate and reasonable.

This indicates that, moving forward, a growing number of applicants may rely on the judicial route to contest potentially unconstitutional changes to Italian citizenship law. Currently, waiting times for judicial proceedings range from several months to two years.

However, given the anticipated surge in applications, these timelines could lengthen. For the latest updates and expert insights, be sure to follow our channels and stay informed throughout your citizenship journey.

Additionally, for those dealing with complex cases, such as those affected by the 1948 rule, hiring a specialist lawyer is highly recommended to navigate the legal process effectively. These situations require a deep understanding of Italian citizenship laws and the ability to navigate complex legal challenges. A lawyer specialising in Italian citizenship can provide the expertise needed to address these complexities effectively, ensuring your application is as strong as possible.

Italian Citizenship by Marriage

If you’re married to an Italian citizen and reside in Italy, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship. Non-Italian spouses can apply for Italian citizenship after 2 years from the date of marriage or civil union. If you have minor children, the waiting time is halved. The application process involves online submission and an appointment at the local “Prefettura” (prefecture) in Italy.

If you reside abroad, spouses can apply for Italian citizenship after 3 years from the date of marriage or civil union. Again, the waiting time is halved if you have minor children. The application process includes online submission and an appointment at the Italian consulate.

The quote is quick, free, and without any commitment. We'll get back to you with more details within 24 hours.

Italian Citizenship by Residency

For EU citizens: You can apply for Italian citizenship by residency after 4 years of legal residency in Italy.
For non-EU citizens: The requirement is at least 10 years of legal residency in Italy.

However, some categories of individuals can apply after 3 years of legal residency, such as foreigners whose parents or grandparents were Italian by birth, and foreigners born in Italy who didn’t apply for Italian citizenship when they turned 18.

The processing time to be recognized as an Italian citizen by virtue of residency is typically 24 months (which can be extended to 36 months).

Important information

Remember, every name and date must be correct, any minor mistake can lead your process to be delayed. The path to Italian citizenship involves meticulous research, document collection, translation, and potential legal avenues.

If you find the process to be too demanding and time consuming, you should consider hiring expert assistance, such as io.citizen. Our team of experts is ready to make your dream of Italian citizenship a reality. Contact us today!

August 16, 2024
5:00 pm