Every year, a lot of people look for guidance on how to get Italian citizenship. Some want to reconnect with Italian heritage. Others are after the practical side of European Union citizenship: the freedom to live, work, and study across 27 member states. For many applicants it is both, a link to family history and a status that opens up the EU.
Quick Answer: Italian citizenship is available through descent (Italian parent/grandparent, €600 fee), marriage (2-3 years married to Italian citizen, €250), or residency (4-10 years depending on status, €250). New 2025 law limits descent claims to grandparent generation. Language test (B1 Italian) required for marriage and residency routes. Processing takes 6 months to 3+ years depending on route and venue.
Italy recently reformed its citizenship laws. The amendments adjusted who qualifies, especially for citizenship by descent, and spelled out what new applicants have to do. The framework has shifted enough that you need to check the current requirements before you start an application.
This guide covers the recognised routes to Italian citizenship (by descent, by marriage, and by residency). It explains the law as it stands in 2026, the documents you will need, and the problems applicants run into most often.
The Three Pathways to Italian Citizenship
There are three main routes to Italian citizenship: descent, marriage, or residency. Each one has its own eligibility rules, timeframes, and requirements.
| Pathway | Who Qualifies | Residency Required | Language Test | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Descent | Children/grandchildren of Italian citizens | None | No | €600 |
| By Marriage | Spouses of Italian citizens | 2–3 years married | B1 Italian | €250 |
| By Residency | Long-term residents | 4–10 years | B1 Italian | €250 |
What Is Italian Citizenship?
Italian citizenship is governed mainly by Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992, which sets the rules for acquiring, recognising, and losing nationality. It rests on the principle of jus sanguinis ("right of blood"), so citizenship is generally passed from parent to child regardless of where the child is born.
Unlike countries with broad jus soli rules, being born in Italy does not by itself make you a citizen unless certain conditions are met. The most recent major change is Law No. 74 of 2025, which reformed the eligibility rules for citizenship by descent.
Italy also allows dual citizenship. You do not have to renounce your existing nationality when you acquire Italian citizenship, as long as your other country's laws also permit holding both.
How Do You Get Italian Citizenship by Descent?
New 2026 Rules
Until recently, Italian citizenship by descent had no generational limit. This changed with Decreto-Legge 36/2025 (28 March 2025), converted into Law No. 74/2025 (23 May 2025), which narrowed eligibility:
- Generational limit: Recognition now restricted to those with an Italian parent or grandparent
- Exclusivity clause: If the Italian ancestor held dual nationality, automatic transmission may be blocked
- Minor naturalisation cut-off: If the ancestor naturalised abroad before their child reached majority, the line is broken
Parent's Italian residence: even without a qualifying parent or grandparent above, you may still qualify if a parent or adoptive parent was an Italian citizen who lived in Italy for at least two continuous years before your birth or adoption (Law 74/2025).
Examples
- Eligible: Your grandfather was born in Italy and remained Italian when your parent was born abroad
- Ineligible: Your great-grandfather was Italian but your grandfather was born abroad before 1948 to a non-Italian father
- Ineligible: Your Italian grandmother naturalised as Canadian while your mother was still a minor
Grandfathered Applications:
Applications lodged before 27 March 2025 are generally assessed under the previous rules. Keep copies of your booking confirmations and submission receipts.
Critical Deadline, 31 May 2026:
Parents with jure sanguinis citizenship must file declarations for minor children born abroad by this date to preserve their rights under the previous rules.
The 1948 Rule (Court Cases)
Before 1948, Italian women could not pass citizenship to children unless the father was also Italian. Descendants affected by this could pursue recognition through the Italian courts, which historically upheld claims based on constitutional equality. The 2025 reform (Law 74/2025) now restricts descent claims in general, and in 2026 the Constitutional Court upheld the reform (judgment no. 63/2026), so this route is narrower than it used to be. Get current legal advice before relying on it.
Where to Apply: Consulate vs Comune vs Court
| Venue | Who Can Apply | Wait Time | Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consulate | Applicants abroad | 1–10+ years appointment; 24–36 months processing | €600 + documents |
| Comune | Residents in Italy | 6–12 months | €600 + relocation costs |
| Court | 1948 cases, denial of justice | 18–42 months | €600 + $6,000–15,000 legal fees |
Costs and Timelines
Application Fee
€600
Apostilles
€5–50/doc
Translations
€30–150/page
1948 Legal Fees
$6,000–15,000+
Realistic total budgets:
- DIY consulate application: $1,000–5,000
- With professional assistance: $5,000–15,000+
- 1948 court cases: $6,000–20,000+
- Comune route (including relocation): $10,000–25,000+
Italian Citizenship by Descent Guide
Read Full Guide
How Do You Get Italian Citizenship by Marriage?
Spouses of Italian citizens may apply after:
- 2 years if resident in Italy (1 year with children)
- 3 years if resident abroad (1.5 years with children)
You will need a B1 Italian language certificate, a valid marriage registered in Italy, and a clean criminal record. The fee is €250. Processing takes 24–36 months.
Language exemption: following Constitutional Court judgment no. 25/2025 (deposited 7 March 2025), applicants who cannot reach B1 Italian because of age, a serious illness, or a disability, certified by a public health authority, are exempt from the language requirement. This applies to both the residency and marriage routes.
Documents Required
- Italian marriage extract
- Applicant's birth certificate (apostilled, translated)
- Criminal records from all countries since age 14
- B1 Italian certificate
- Spouse's ID and AIRE registration
- Proof of residence
Italian Citizenship by Marriage Guide
Read Full Guide
How Do You Get Italian Citizenship by Residency?
Residency requirements vary by status:
| Applicant Type | Years Required | Other Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Non-EU nationals | 10 years | Clean record, income, B1 Italian |
| EU nationals | 4 years | Clean record, income, B1 Italian |
| Refugees/stateless | 5 years | Recognition of status, B1 Italian |
| Italian descendants | 2 years | Parent/grandparent was Italian |
Applications go through the Ministero dell'Interno online portal.
Italy Golden Visa Guide
Read Full Guide
What Alternative Pathways Exist?
- Austro-Hungarian Territories: Law 124/2006 provides special recognition for descendants from former Austro-Hungarian areas (Istria, Rijeka, Dalmatia, now Slovenia/Croatia). Note: Law 379/2000 expired in December 2010.
- Distinguished Service: Citizenship by Presidential Decree for exceptional contributions to Italy (no residence required)
What Documents Do You Need?
Post-March 2025 Applications
The "exclusivity clause" requires proof that ancestors held Italian citizenship exclusively:
- Negative certificates of citizenship from other countries
- Certificates of renunciation of foreign citizenship
- Non-enrolment in foreign electoral registers
- Historical residence certificates (2+ years in Italy)
Document Freshness
- Apostilles: Do not expire
- Birth/death certificates: No expiration
- Criminal records: Within 3–6 months
Translation Types
| Type | When Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Certified/Straight | US consulates | €30–60/page |
| Consulate-Legalised | Applications in Italy | €50–100/page |
| Court Sworn | 1948 judicial cases | €80–150/page |
Apostille Exemptions
- USCIS/NARA documents: No apostille needed at US consulates if kept sealed
- Vienna Convention: Multilingual extracts from 23 signatory countries exempt
- Italian documents: No apostille needed for use in Italy
What Is the Application Timeline?
- Step 1 (1–2 weeks): Confirm eligibility and identify issues
- Step 2 (3–12 months): Collect documents, apostilles, translations
- Step 3 (1–2 months): Assemble dossier
- Step 4 (Variable): Book appointment or file case
- Step 5 (Same day): Submit and pay fees
- Step 6 (6–36 months): Application review
- Step 7 (1–6 months): Decision issued
- Step 8 (1–2 months): Oath and passport
What Mistakes Should You Avoid?
- Name/date discrepancies: Spelling variations between certificates
- Missing records: Lost or destroyed documents
- No apostille/translation: Documents rejected without proper legalisation
- Naturalisation conflicts: Ancestor naturalised before next birth
- Consulate backlogs: 10+ year waits in major cities
- Missing criminal checks: Need records from every country since age 14
What Happens After You Get Citizenship?
Italian citizens get visa-free travel to 190+ countries, plus the freedom to live, work, and study across the EU. If you live abroad, you must register with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero).
Tax Considerations
Citizenship does not make you a tax resident. Italy taxes by residence, not nationality. You become tax resident only if you:
- Register as resident in Italy, or
- Spend 183+ days per year in Italy, or
- Have your "centre of vital interests" in Italy
How Can You Reacquire Italian Citizenship?
- Standard: Declaration + 1 year residence in Italy
- Special (until Dec 2027): Declaration only for those born in Italy who lost citizenship before 1992
Sources
- Italian Citizenship Law (No. 91/1992 consolidated)
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Citizenship
- Ministero dell'Interno - Citizenship Applications
Why Movingto Makes the Difference
Securing Italian citizenship is more than a legal process — it's a chance to reclaim heritage, strengthen family ties, and unlock EU opportunities. The journey can feel overwhelming with evolving laws, documentation hurdles, and long consulate wait times.
At Movingto, our team works alongside experienced Italian lawyers who specialise in jure sanguinis, marriage, and residency applications. From building a compliant document portfolio to navigating consulate backlogs and pursuing court recognition, we provide tailored assistance at every stage.
Related Italy guides: Italian citizenship by descent · Italian citizenship by marriage · Taxes in Italy