how long does it take to get Italian citizenship?

How To Get Italian Citizenship: How Long Does it Take?

Are you considering obtaining Italian citizenship? Whether you want to live, work, study in Italy, or have an Italian heritage, having an Italian passport can provide many benefits, including access to EU rights, free movement within the Schengen area, and more.

How to Get Italian Citizenship: A Complete Guide on Eligibility, Process, and Timeline

Italian law recognizes dual citizenship, which means that individuals can hold both Italian citizenship and the citizenship of another country simultaneously.

But how long does it take to get Italian dual citizenship, and what is the process? This guide will cover everything you need to know about acquiring Italian citizenship, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and the timeline to get recognized as an Italian citizen.

How Long Does it Take To Get Italian Citizenship?

The time it takes to get Italian citizenship varies depending on the method used. Applying for citizenship by descent through an Italian consulate or municipality can take up to 24-36 months for processing.

Applying through a court in Italy can take several years, and the process may involve additional requirements such as a language test.

In some cases, applying for Italian citizenship by descent through a municipality in Italy may expedite the process compared to applying through a consulate.

Additionally, it can allow you to apply for a residence permit after a certain number of days have passed since the application was submitted if you have not received a response yet.

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Eligibility Requirements for Italian Citizenship

italian citizenship

There are three main ways to acquire Italian citizenship:

  1. By descent (jure sanguinis)
  2. By marriage
  3. By residency

Let’s take a closer look at the eligibility requirements for each one of the different ways.

Requirements for Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis (By Descent)

The right of blood, also known as jus sanguinis, is a principle of Italian nationality law that allows individuals with Italian ancestry to acquire Italian citizenship, regardless of where they were born or currently reside.

For example, if you are an American citizen and have Italian parents, family members, or ancestors, you may be eligible to seek Italian citizenship through descent. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You have at least one Italian ancestor (either parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent) who was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth.
  • Your Italian ancestor did not renounce their Italian citizenship before the birth of their child.
  • Your Italian ancestor did not lose their Italian citizenship due to naturalization in another country before the birth of their child.

Requirements for Italian Citizenship by Marriage

If you are in a marital relationship or have a civil union with an Italian citizen, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You have been legally married to an Italian citizen for at least two years (if you reside in Italy) or three years (if you live abroad).
  • You have not been convicted of a crime in Italy or your country of origin.
  • You have not posed a threat to the security and public order of Italy.

Requirements for Italian Citizenship by Residency

Suppose you have been legally residing in Italy for a certain period. In that case, you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by residency. To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You have been legally residing in Italy for at least four years (if you are an EU citizen) or ten years (if you are a non-EU citizen).
  • You have not been convicted of a crime in Italy or your country of origin.
  • You have not posed a threat to the security and public order of Italy.

How to Get Italian Citizenship: The Process

the process of getting Italian citizenship

Now that you know the eligibility requirements for Italian citizenship, let’s take a closer look at the Italian citizenship application process for each of the three pathways.

Note: Although there is no online application available for Italian citizenship, it is still possible, and advised to download application forms from official Italian consulate websites as a starting point for the application process.

Does The Application Process Require Original Documents?

The application process for Italian citizenship by descent generally requires the original vital record, such as the original birth, marriage, or death certificate, and the original proof of naturalization or non-naturalization of the relevant ancestor.

However, some consulates may accept certified copies of an original document as long as it has been authenticated with an apostille or other form of legalization.

Can Minor Children Be Included in the Application for Italian Citizenship?

If a minor child is included in the application for Italian citizenship, they must provide their birth certificate and all other necessary documents required by the Italian government.

In the case of a child under 18, their parent or legal guardian must also provide their documents as part of the application. It’s important to note that additional documentation may be required in some cases, such as a consent form from the other parent or legal guardian, if they are not applying for citizenship.

Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis (By Descent): Step-by-Step Instructions

Applying for Italian citizenship by descent can take several months, depending on your circumstances. Here’s an overview of the steps you need to take:

Step 1: Collect Vital Records

Before commencing your application, you must gather certified duplicates of the essential records of your family, such as birth and death certificates, marriage records, divorce decrees, and evidence of either naturalization or lack thereof for the ancestor born in Italy and migrated to the United States.

The documents require authentication with an Apostille. They also need to be translated into Italian. Depending on where you are applying, you may also need to obtain other documents, such as a criminal record check.

Step 2: File Application

Once you have collected all the necessary paperwork, you can submit your application for Italian citizenship by descent at an Italian consulate or municipality in Italy. The processing time to be granted citizenship can take up to 24 months, although it may take less.

Step 3: Obtain an Italian Passport

Once recognized as an Italian citizen, you can apply for an Italian passport.

Italian Citizenship by Marriage: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Verify eligibility by meeting the requirements, such as being married to an Italian citizen, having resided in Italy for a specific period, and passing an Italian language proficiency test.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documents

Gather all required documents, including a marriage certificate, birth certificate, passport, and criminal record.

Step 3: Submit Your Application

Submit your application at an Italian consulate in your home country or the municipality where your Italian spouse is registered as a resident.

Step 4: Attend an Interview

Attend an interview with the Italian consulate or relevant authorities to provide additional information and clarify any questions or issues.

Step 5: Wait

Wait for the Italian government to process your application, which typically takes up to two years and possibly longer, depending on the case.

Step 6: Receive a Declaration of Italian Citizenship

Once approved, you will receive a declaration of Italian citizenship and can apply for an Italian passport.

Italian Citizenship by Residency: Step-by-Step Instructions

Another pathway to becoming an Italian citizen is through residency. If you plan to apply for Italian citizenship based on residency, the requirements vary depending on your citizenship status. EU citizens may apply after legally residing in Italy for 4 years, while non-EU citizens may apply after 10 years.

Nonetheless, certain groups of people are eligible to apply for citizenship after three years of legal residency. Those include foreigners whose parents or grandparents were Italian by birth and foreigners in Italy who didn’t apply for Italian citizenship upon turning 18 years old.

The wait time can be 24 months, possibly up to 36 months, to process your application for Italian citizenship based on residency. The documents required and the application process are similar to the application process for citizenship by marriage.

Italian Passport Application

becoming an Italian citizen

After recognizing your Italian citizenship, you can apply for an Italian passport.

Suppose you have applied for Italian citizenship via an Italian consulate. The consulate will send you an official notification confirming your recognition as an Italian citizen. You will then register with the AIRE.

Your ancestor’s vital records will be sent to the municipality in Italy where they were born to be registered after the consulate receives them. Once they have been registered, which can take a couple of weeks on average, you can apply for a passport.

If you have applied for Italian citizenship by descent through a municipality in Italy and your application has been approved, you can apply for a passport at the local police headquarters (“Questura”). Once you return to your home country, it is necessary to register with the AIRE.

If you obtain Italian citizenship by filing a lawsuit at an Italian court and win the case, the court will officially recognize you as an Italian citizen. However, you can only apply for an Italian passport through the Italian consulate abroad after the ruling has been registered in Italy and you have registered with the AIRE.

If you live in Italy, you can directly request the registration of the final judgment via the Italian municipality where your Italian ancestor was born and apply for a passport at the “Questura.”

The process to obtain an Italian passport generally takes between 1 to 6 weeks from the moment of application via an Italian consulate abroad. The process is typically faster through the “Questura” in Italy.

Obtaining Italian Citizenship Can be a Lengthy and Complex Process

Still, it can also be a life-changing one. Becoming a citizen of Italy is highly desirable, as it grants you the ability to work, live and study in the European Union without restrictions and enjoy the many benefits of Italian culture, including cuisine, art, and history. It is also a gateway to other EU countries, allowing you to travel and live across any EU country.

Whether you are applying for Italian citizenship by descent, marriage, or residency, it is essential to understand the eligibility requirements, the costs, and the timelines involved.

While the exact time it takes to obtain Italian citizenship will depend on a variety of factors, including the country and where you need to retrieve documents, the number of vital records required to apply, and whether the translations need to be certified, the information provided in this article should give you a good idea of the steps involved in the process.

Disclaimer: the information provided in this article is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal advice. It is provided for general information purposes only. As every case may differ, we strongly recommend seeking legal advice regarding Italian citizenship by descent, marriage, or any other means.

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