Frequently asked questions

Who has the right to Italian citizenship?

Italian citizenship may be granted to children and grandchildren of Italians, spouses of Italians, and residents in Italy. There are specific requirements for each route.

A person with the right to Italian citizenship may be:

Descendant of Italians: As of March 28, 2015, only children and grandchildren of individuals born in Italy are eligible for Italian citizenship. However, an exception applies if a parent legally resided in Italy for at least two years before their child’s birth or adoption. Applicants must prove that their Italian relative held citizenship exclusively at the time of death.

Married to an Italian: people married to Italian citizens are entitled to Italian citizenship once they meet following criteria: 1) Three years of marriage if they reside outside Italy. 2) After 18 months if they have children. 3) If they reside in Italy, the time period is two years. 4) One year if they have children. Italian language proficiency at B1 Level is required.

Living in Italy: foreigners residing in Italy can apply for citizenship after living legally in the country for a period of ten years.

Born in Italy (ius solis): it applies to individuals born in Italy who have no other nationality or whose parents are unknown or cannot transmit their own nationality.
For special merits: in certain cases, Italian citizenship may be granted to foreigners who have made significant contributions to Italy, at the discretion of the Italian President.

Remember, in every case, it is essential to prove the connection with Italy through proper documentation and follow the legal process stipulated by the Italian authorities.

How to obtain Italian citizenship?

To obtain Italian citizenship, determine your eligibility category (descent, marriage, residency, etc.), then gather necessary documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates, ensuring non-Italian documents are legalized and translated.

As of June 2025, the judicial route is the only available option for obtaining Italian citizenship. While all administrative applications will be centralized within a new governmental body in Italy, the specific procedures and operational framework have yet to be determined. Once approved, your citizenship will be registered.

To obtain Italian citizenship, you must follow these steps:

Check your right to citizenship: determine if you fit into any of the eligibility categories (descent, marriage, residency, etc.).
Gather the necessary documents: collect all relevant documents, such as birth, marriage, and death certificates, from both Italian ancestors and direct descendants, including yourself. Non-Italian documents must be legalized and translated by a sworn translator. Additionally, if you lost your place in the consular queue due to the dissolution of waiting lists under the new law, it is recommended to retrieve proof of your original appointment at the consulate, as it may support your application.
Fix inconsistencies: check all documents for inconsistencies or errors and make the necessary corrections. This can include errors in names, dates, or locations.
Translate and authenticate with an apostille documents: The documents must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator and authenticated with an apostille to have international validity.
Submit or present the documents: depending on your case, send or present the documents to the Italian authorities. For citizenship by marriage, an additional application must be filled out, including a test of Italian language proficiency that must be taken.
Wait for analysis: after the submission, there will be a waiting period in which case your information will be verified and processed.
Recognition and registration: once approved, your citizenship will be registered in Italy, and you will be able to apply for your Italian passport.

What are the routes for obtaining Italian citizenship?

As of June 2025, the only path to Italian citizenship is through the courts, following the dissolution of consular and municipal application queues after the approval of Law No. 74 on May 23, 2025. While all administrative applications will be centralized within a new governmental body in Italy, the specific procedures and operational framework have yet to be determined.

Under the current legislation, many individuals may turn to judicial proceedings to challenge recent constitutional changes, even after the creation of the new governmental body in Italy—whether due to an Italian relative naturalizing as a dual citizen before passing or because their closest Italian ancestor falls beyond the second generation. This route is also commonly pursued by children and grandchildren of Italian women born before 1948, who face legal restrictions on citizenship transmission. Those affected can seek citizenship recognition through legal action in Italian courts, a process typically handled by specialist citizenship lawyers.

What does it take to obtain Italian citizenship?

To obtain Italian citizenship, determine your eligibility (e.g., by descent, marriage, or residency) and collect necessary documents such as birth, marriage, and death certificates. Additionally, if you lost your place in the consular queue due to the dissolution of waiting lists under the new law, it is recommended to retrieve proof of your original appointment at the consulate, as it may support your application. Ensure documents are accurate, legalized, and translated into Italian.

To obtain Italian citizenship, several steps and the collection of specific documents are required, depending on the basis of your right to citizenship. Here are the general requirements and common steps:

Determine your eligibility: you must determine whether you are entitled to Italian citizenship, whether by descent (jus sanguinis), marriage (if married to an Italian citizen), or residency (if you have lived legally in Italy for a certain period).
Collect relevant documents:
- For citizenship by descent: It is required to present birth, marriage, and death certificates in full content for each generation between you and your Italian ancestor. This includes documentation of the Italian ancestor and all direct descendants down to you.
- For citizenship by marriage: Italian or translated and legalized marriage certificate, certificate of Italian language proficiency (B1 level or higher), and possibly proof of how long you have been married.
- For residence: proof of legal residence in Italy for a specified period, usually 10 years for non-descendants.

Check and correct documents: all documents must be checked for accuracy. Any discrepancy in names, dates, or locations may need to be corrected through a rectification process.
Translation and legalization: all non-Italian documents must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator. Besides, they need to be legalized for international use, which for many countries means being authenticated with an apostille, in accordance with The Hague Convention.
Submit the request: depending on your route of application (consular, judicial, or direct in Italy), you will have to send or present all relevant documents to the Italian authorities.
Wait for processing: the processing time can vary significantly, from a few months to several years, depending on the chosen route and the workload of the processing organ.
Registering in AIRE: if you are residing outside Italy, you must register in the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad (AIRE).

Remember that each case is unique and there may be additional or specific requirements based on your personal situation, Italian ancestry, and current legislation.

How to get Italian citizenship by surname?

Italian citizenship cannot be obtained based solely on a surname, as it requires documented proof of direct lineage to an Italian ancestor. For more information, refer to the previous question or check our article on Italian citizenship jus sanguinis.

Italian citizenship is normally acquired by jus sanguinis (right of blood). As of March 28, 2025, this means that one must have an Italian parent or grandparent who was born in Italy. Applicants must prove that their Italian relative held citizenship exclusively at the time of death. However, an exception applies if a parent legally resided in Italy for at least two years before their child’s birth or adoption.

How much does Italian citizenship cost?

The cost to obtain Italian citizenship can vary significantly depending on several factors. This includes the route of application, the number of documents that must be collected and translated, and whether you decide to hire a professional or an agency to assist you in the process. Here are some estimated costs involved in the process:

Documentation and certificates:
- Certificates: the fees for issuing certificates in full content may vary depending on the state and the registry office.
- Sworn translation: the translation of documents into Italian costs per page, depending on the translator and the complexity of the document.
Apostille:
- The fee for the apostille of each document varies from state to state.
Specialized consultancy:
- While you may choose to hire a consultancy service to help with the process, the costs can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your case.
Other costs:
- Moving and sending documents: if you need to pick up documents in different cities or countries, travel and shipping costs can increase.
- Application fees: The Italian citizenship application process includes a fee of EUR600.
- Living in Italy: if you choose to apply for citizenship directly in Italy, you will need to consider the costs of housing, food, and other costs of living during your period of residence.
Judicial process:
- If it is necessary to opt for the judicial route, there will be additional costs with specialist lawyers.

It is important to remember that these costs may vary depending on your specific situation, state or country. In addition, the exchange rate can also affect the total cost for those who live outside europe. It is recommended to make a detailed budget before starting the process and consider a margin for unforeseen costs.

How long does it take to get your Italian citizenship?

As of 2025, the timeline for Italian citizenship applications remains uncertain. With the dissolution of consular and municipal queues, the judicial route has become the only viable option for applicants. Previously, before the enactment of Law No. 74 on May 23, 2025, judicial proceedings typically took around two years to complete.

Here are some time estimates based on the different routes of application before the 2025 Decree/Law:

Administrative/Consular route: the process took from 7 to 14 years, depending on the Italian consulate where the application where made and the waiting queue.
Judicial route through action of recognition (counter-queue): this option was used when there were excessive delays by the consulate. Time periods may differ, but it was usually faster than the consular route, taking on average two years.
Commune route directly in Italy (residing in Italy): if you moved to Italy and applied for citizenship directly through a Commune (municipality), the process could be significantly faster, taking anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the specific Commune and your ability to provide all the necessary documentation quickly and accurately.

Why should you obtain Italian citizenship?

Italian citizenship offers numerous benefits, including the freedom to live, work, and study across the EU without visas, access to high-quality education and affordable healthcare, and global mobility with a powerful passport. These advantages make Italian citizenship an excellent option for eligible individuals.

Having an Italian citizenship offers a number of advantages and is considered an excellent option for several reasons, including:

Freedom to live and work in the EU: as an Italian citizen, you have the right to live, work and study in any country of the European Union without the need for additional visas or work permits.
Access to high-quality education: Italian citizenship offers access to renowned education systems in Europe, often at reduced costs compared to non-citizens.
High quality healthcare system: Italy, like many other EU countries, offers a high-quality public health system that is affordable for its citizens.
Global mobility: the Italian passport is one of the most powerful in the world, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry into many countries, facilitating international travel.
Voting rights: as an Italian citizen, you have the right to vote in elections in Italy and in the European Union, giving you a voice in political affairs and society.
Employment opportunities: having an EU passport can be beneficial when looking for a job, as many companies prefer candidates who do not require additional work permits.
Cultural and family heritage: many people are entitled to Italian citizenship due to their ancestry. Obtaining citizenship can be a way to reconnect with your roots and preserve family history.
Legal and social Security: with Italian citizenship, you acquire additional legal protection and can benefit from bilateral agreements between Italy and other countries.
Business opportunities: as an EU citizen, you can start a business and invest in Italy or other EU countries under favorable regulations.
Ease of residence for family members: your Italian citizenship can facilitate the process of obtaining residence for your family members in Italy and other EU countries.

What documents do I need for Italian citizenship by descent?

For citizenship by descent, you’ll need birth, marriage, and death certificates for each generation connecting you to your Italian ancestor. These must be “full form” certificates, translated into Italian, and legalized with an apostille (if applicable). Discrepancies in names or dates must be corrected before submission.

How to get Italian citizenship by marriage?

If you are married to an Italian citizen, you may apply for Italian citizenship after three years of marriage (or 18 months if you have children) if residing outside Italy, or after two years of marriage (or one year with children) if residing in Italy. You must prove your marriage with a translated and legalized certificate and pass a B1-level Italian language proficiency test. For more information, check our article on Italian citizenship by marriage.

Is Italian citizenship assistance legit?

Many professional services and agencies offer legitimate assistance with Italian citizenship applications, helping with document collection, translation, and legal procedures. However, it is essential to research and verify their credentials to ensure trustworthy and compliant services.

How to get Italian citizenship through grandparents?

If one or both of your grandparents are Italian, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship through descent. Prove direct lineage to your Italian ancestor by gathering birth, marriage, and death certificates for each generation up to you, translate and authenticate them with an apostille, and submit your application.