Italian Citizenship by Marriage: Your Ultimate Guide

Italian citizenship by marriage — known in Italian law as cittadinanza per matrimonio or jure matrimonii — lets a non-Italian spouse acquire citizenship after meeting residency, language, and good-character requirements. The process is run by the Ministero dell'Interno (Interior Ministry) through its ALI online portal, and the legal basis is Law 91/1992 as amended by the Decreto Sicurezza of 2018 and Law 74/2025.

Quick Answer: You can get Italian citizenship by marriage after 2 years of legal residence in Italy following the marriage, or 3 years from the date of the marriage if living abroad — halved to 1 year/18 months if you have children. Requirements: B1 Italian language certification, clean criminal record, €250 application fee. Processing takes 24-36 months. Same-sex civil unions qualify. You can keep your original citizenship (dual allowed).

In practical terms, an Italian passport lets you live, work, and study anywhere in the EU and EEA, gives full access to the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), and removes any future need for permessi di soggiorno or visa extensions in Italy.

Expect the application to take 24-36 months once submitted, with documentation work taking several more months before that.

What Is Italian Citizenship by Marriage?

Italian citizenship by marriage is a pathway for non-Italian spouses to gain Italian citizenship through their union with an Italian citizen. This process is available for both heterosexual marriages and same-sex civil unions, reflecting Italy's inclusive legal framework.

To be eligible, the marriage or civil union must be legally recognized, and the non-Italian spouse must meet residency and language requirements. Applicants typically need to demonstrate a minimum level of Italian language proficiency and provide proof of good character, such as a clean criminal record.

The application requires careful documentation, which can be submitted through the Italian Ministry of the Interior or the Italian consulate if the applicant lives abroad. Processing times may vary, and applicants should be prepared for a thorough review period.

Once granted, Italian citizenship confers the same rights as citizenship by birth — including EU free movement, voting in Italian elections, and the ability to pass citizenship to minor children.

Benefits of Italian Citizenship

Italian citizenship is permanent and cannot be revoked except for serious cause (such as fraud in the application or terrorism-related convictions under Law 132/2018).

It also unlocks practical EU rights: access to public-sector jobs in member states (with limited exceptions), reciprocal pension agreements, and the right to settle anywhere in Italy without further immigration paperwork.

Who Is Eligible for Italian Citizenship by Marriage?

Eligibility for cittadinanza per matrimonio is set out in Articles 5-7 of Law 91/1992. Four conditions must be met at the time of application: valid marriage, residency or marriage-duration threshold, B1 Italian, and clean criminal record.

Time Requirements

• Standard Waiting Periods:
  • 2 years of legal residence in Italy after the marriage.
  • 3 years from the date of the marriage if residing abroad.
• Reduced Waiting Periods:
  • These durations are halved if the couple has biological or adopted children under 18.
    • 1 year if living in Italy with children.
    • 18 months if living abroad with children.

Marriage Requirements

The marriage or civil union must be legally recognised under Italian law. Foreign marriages must be transcribed into the Italian civil registry through the local Comune or the Italian consulate (AIRE office) before the application is filed.

The marriage must remain valid until the citizenship decree is signed. Legal separation (separazione legale), divorce, or annulment before that point voids eligibility, and the Prefettura will close the file.

Same-sex civil unions registered under Law 76/2016 (the Cirinnà law) give the same citizenship rights as marriage.

Additional Requirements

Italian at B1 level (CEFR) has been mandatory since 4 December 2018 under the Decreto Sicurezza (Law 132/2018). The certificate must come from an approved provider: CILS (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri), or Roma Tre. Exemptions apply for holders of an Italian school or university qualification, EU long-term residence permits, and applicants with documented disabilities that prevent language testing.

Criminal record requirements are strict: no Italian conviction over three years’ imprisonment, no foreign conviction over one year for non-political offences, and no pending proceedings for serious crimes against the state.

Convictions listed in Articles 407, 423-bis and 270-bis of the Italian Penal Code (terrorism, mafia association, serious arson) are absolute bars.

Documentation Required

The document file is typically the longest part of the timeline. The minimum set is: valid passport, full birth certificate (long-form), marriage certificate transcribed into the Italian register, B1 language certificate, criminal background checks from your country of origin and any country of residence in the last 10 years, and the €250 fee receipt. Italian residents also submit a certificato di residenza and stato di famiglia from the Comune.

Foreign-issued birth and marriage certificates must be apostilled (Hague Convention) or legalised, then translated into Italian by a sworn translator and stamped by the Italian consulate. The certificate must be issued no more than six months before submission and show both parents’ names.

Criminal background checks (FBI for the US, ACRO for the UK, equivalent for other jurisdictions) must also be issued within six months of the application. Allow 8-12 weeks for FBI checks and 10 working days for ACRO; both still need apostille and translation.

How Do You Apply for Citizenship by Marriage?

Applications run through the Ministero dell'Interno’s ALI portal (portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it). The Prefettura handles applicants resident in Italy; the Italian consulate handles applicants resident abroad.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying

1. Prepare and Verify Documents: Collect documents (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal records). Apostille and sworn-translate every foreign document.
2. Language Proficiency Certification: Sit the B1 exam with CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or Roma Tre. The certificate is valid indefinitely once issued. The B1 rule applies to both residents and non-residents.
3. Complete Online Registration: Create an account on portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it, upload scanned documents, and pay the €250 fee by bank transfer. The portal issues a protocol number once the file is accepted.
4. Attend a Consulate or Prefettura Appointment: Residents in Italy book a slot at the Prefettura; residents abroad book at the consulate with jurisdiction. The officer checks originals against the upload, may ask basic questions in Italian, and verifies the marriage is still valid.
5. Submit Fees and Finalize the Application: Pay the €250 contributo and any consular fees, keep all receipts, and request a copy of the protocollo with date stamp.
6. Wait for Processing and Final Decision: Under Law 91/1992 the Ministry has a statutory 24-month decision window, extendable to 36 months. If approved, you are invited to take the Giuramento (Oath of Allegiance) at your Comune within six months of the decree being notified.

Submission Procedures

Where you submit depends on residence. Italian residents file with the Prefettura that covers their Comune of residence (look up the right one at prefettura.interno.gov.it).

Applicants resident abroad file through the Italian consulate covering their place of residence. The consulate authenticates documents, runs the interview, and forwards the file to Rome. If the Italian spouse lives abroad too, they should already be registered with AIRE (Anagrafe Italiani Residenti all’Estero) at that consulate.

Both routes use the same ALI portal for the first step; only the in-person appointment differs.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Processing times have changed since 2020 and again after Law 74/2025.

Expected Duration for Application Review

• Since 18 December 2020 the standard statutory window is 24 months from filing.
• The Ministry can extend by another 12 months for security or document checks (maximum 36 months total). Real-world average runs 24-36 months, with some files reaching 48 months when documentation has to be re-requested.

Factors Influencing Processing Time

• Incomplete or incorrect submissions can lead to delays.
• The time required to authenticate documents and verify information can affect the overall timeline.
• The volume of applications being processed by the relevant authorities may impact processing speed.
• Factors such as criminal record checks or the need for additional information can influence the duration.

A complete, properly translated file at first submission is the single biggest variable in cutting the timeline.

How Much Does It Cost?

Headline costs for cittadinanza per matrimonio in 2026:

Application Fee: €250 contributo paid by bank transfer to the Ministero dell'Interno (verify current figure post-Law 74/2025 reform — some sources report a higher tier; check the ALI portal before paying).

Additional Expenses:

• Document Translation: Non-Italian documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator, with costs varying based on document length and translator rates.
• Apostille Certification: Certain documents may need an Apostille to verify their authenticity for international use, incurring additional fees.
• Language Proficiency Test: Sitting the B1 CILS, CELI, PLIDA or Roma Tre exam is typically €120-180, plus optional language course costs if you are not already at B1.
• Legal Assistance: Italian immigration lawyers typically charge €1,500-3,500 to handle a marriage-based file end-to-end.

Total out-of-pocket for a DIY file usually lands between €500 and €1,200; lawyer-assisted files run €2,000-5,000.

What Are the Marriage and Residency Requirements?

The waiting period is fixed by Article 5 of Law 91/1992: two years of legal residence in Italy after marriage, or three years from the wedding date if you live abroad. Each period halves to one year (Italy) or 18 months (abroad) if you have biological or adopted children with the Italian spouse, including minors adopted before age 18.

If you are claiming Italian residence, register at the Comune within 90 days of arrival to start the count. Residence is proven with the certificato di residenza and stato di famiglia (issued free by the Comune). Supporting evidence — rental contract, utility bills, payslips — is often requested for the period before formal registration.

Language proof is non-negotiable since 2018: a B1 certificate from CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or Roma Tre. Self-declarations and exam-prep certificates are not accepted.

The good-character check runs against both Italian databases (Casellario Giudiziale, SDI) and the foreign criminal record certificates you supply. The Prefettura may request additional checks if you have lived in more than one country.

Edge cases — second marriages, dual-nationality spouses, prior Italian residence revoked, AIRE non-registration — usually warrant a paid consultation with an avvocato specialised in immigration law.

What Do the Consulate and Prefettura Do?

The Prefettura (in Italy) and the Italian consulate (abroad) handle intake, the document interview, and the security check. Once the file goes to Rome, three outcomes are possible: accolta (granted), respinta (denied), or sospesa (suspended pending more information).

Foreign documents need an apostille (or full legalisation if the issuing country is not in the Hague Convention) plus a sworn Italian translation, signed off by the consulate or an Italian court.

The interview is short — typically 15-30 minutes — and covers basic facts about your marriage, your spouse, and your daily life together. Officers test conversational Italian; the B1 certificate already proves formal proficiency.

What Happens After Approval?

Approval is not the end. Three steps remain before your status is fully active:

Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

The Giuramento (Oath of Allegiance) is held at the Comune where you are registered, or at the consulate if you live abroad. The Comune receives the decree (decreto di concessione) directly from the Ministry and contacts you to book a date.

At the ceremony you swear loyalty to the Italian Republic and the Constitution. The text takes under a minute to read; two witnesses are typically required.

Deadline: the oath must be sworn within six months of being notified of the decree. Miss it and the decree lapses, forcing a fresh application.

Obtaining Official Citizenship Documentation

The day after the oath you are an Italian citizen. The Comune updates the anagrafe (civil registry) and issues a certificate of citizenship.

From there you can apply for an Italian passport at the Questura and a carta d'identità electronica (CIE) at the Comune. Processing for both is usually 2-3 weeks.

Until the oath is taken and the registry updated, you cannot vote, hold an Italian passport, or pass citizenship to children born after the decree.

What Are the Total Costs?

The state fee is €250 paid to the Ministero dell’Interno (verify current figure with the ALI portal — post-2025 reform some sources report tier increases).

Consulate-handled files also need a separate consular fee for legalising translations, paid by bank order; the original €250 wire-transfer receipt is filed with the application.

Each foreign document must have a separate Apostille, which adds to the total cost.

Can You Have Dual Citizenship?

Italy allows dual (or multiple) citizenship without restriction. You do not have to renounce your original nationality to become Italian.

Holding two passports means you can live, work, or study in any of the 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland (through the EEA/EFTA agreements).

Italian citizens vote in national elections (Camera and Senato), European Parliament elections, and local administrative votes; expats vote through the consulate. The SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) is open to all citizens at low cost, and EU universities charge Italian citizens the in-state tuition rate.

The Italian passport ranked among the top five worldwide in 2025 for visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 190 destinations, including the US (via ESTA), Japan, and the UK.

Check your own country's rules first. The US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Latin America allow dual nationality without restriction. China, India, Japan, and a few others do not, and acquiring Italian citizenship can force a renunciation under their domestic law.

If both nationalities are compatible, you keep them both for life unless you formally renounce one.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Most rejections cluster around four issues: language certificate not from an approved provider, criminal record gaps, foreign documents missing the apostille, and marriages not properly transcribed into the Italian register.

Fixes are usually procedural rather than substantive:

• Start the document file 6-9 months before you plan to apply — apostille queues run several weeks in many countries.
• Book the B1 exam early; CILS sittings only run four times a year in most cities.
• Use a sworn translator (traduttore giurato) for every foreign document — translations done by anyone else will be rejected.
• Cross-check that names, dates, and places match exactly across passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate; mismatches trigger supplementary requests that add 3-6 months.

Importance of Professional Assistance

A lawyer is not required, but helps when documents are spread across multiple countries, when there are prior immigration issues, or when the marriage is recent and the Prefettura is likely to scrutinise it as a possible matrimonio di comodo (marriage of convenience).

Typical lawyer fees: €1,500-3,500 for a straightforward case, €3,500-6,000 if document recovery or translation across multiple jurisdictions is involved.

Sources

• Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Citizenship
• Ministero dell'Interno - Citizenship Portal
• Italian Citizenship Law (No. 91/1992)

The bottom line

Italian citizenship by marriage works well if four things line up: you are validly married to (or in a civil union with) an Italian citizen, the marriage is past the residency or duration threshold, you can pass B1 Italian, and your criminal record is clean. Expect 24-36 months from filing to decree, plus another month for the Giuramento, and budget €500-1,200 for a DIY file or €2,000-5,000 with a lawyer.

Consider alternatives if you are waiting on a jure sanguinis claim that now fails the two-generation limit imposed by Law 74/2025, if you cannot reach B1 within your planned timeline, or if your marriage is less than two years old and you live in Italy (you do not yet qualify). Long-term EU residence after five years of legal Italian residence is another route, separate from the marriage track.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to process the citizenship application?

Statutory window is 24 months from filing, extendable to 36 months. Plan for 24-36 months in practice; outliers reach 48 months.

What documents are required for the application?

Passport, full birth certificate, marriage certificate transcribed into the Italian register, B1 Italian certificate, criminal background checks from every country of residence in the last 10 years, and the €250 fee receipt. Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated.

Where do I submit my application if I live abroad?

File through the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over your place of residence. The first step is registering on the ALI portal at portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it.

What is the fee for the citizenship application?

€250 paid by bank transfer to the Ministero dell'Interno. Verify the current figure on the ALI portal — Law 74/2025 introduced fee changes for some categories.

Can same-sex couples apply for Italian citizenship by marriage?

Yes. Same-sex civil unions registered under Law 76/2016 carry the same citizenship rights as marriage.