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

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taly has long captivated the imagination of travelers and dreamers alike. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Milan, it offers a rich tapestry of culture, cuisine, and history. But beyond its postcard-perfect charm, Italy is increasingly becoming a practical destination for expatriates and dual citizens.

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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.

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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.

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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