Citizenship

1. 1. Italian Citizenship: brief introduction

Italian citizenship is governed by Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992 (and related implementing regulations: in particular Presidential Decree No. 572 of 12 October 1993 and Presidential Decree No. 362 of 18 April 1994) which, unlike the previous legislation, enhances the role of individual will in acquiring and losing citizenship and recognizes the right to hold multiple citizenships.

The principles on which Italian citizenship is based are:

• the transmission of citizenship by descent (principle of “ius sanguinis”);
• acquisition “iure soli” (by birth on the territory) in some residual cases;
• the possibility of multiple citizenship;
• the expression of will for acquisition and loss;

Starting from 16 August 1992 (date of entry into force of Law No. 91/92), the acquisition of a foreign citizenship does not result in the loss of Italian citizenship unless the Italian citizen formally renounces it (Art. 11 of Law No. 91/92), except as provided in international agreements.

 

1. 2. Acquisition of Citizenship

Italian citizenship may be acquired according to the methods outlined below. With the introduction of Decree-Law No. 36 of 28 March 2025, converted, with amendments, by Law No. 74 of 23 May 2025, the automatic acquisition of citizenship as described in points 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 for those born abroad and holding another citizenship is subject to the existence of one of the exceptions provided by Article 3-bis of Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992. For more information, please refer here.

 

2.2. Citizenship by Descent According to the Criterion of Ius Sanguinis

Article 1 of Law No. 91/92 establishes that the child of an Italian father or mother is a citizen by birth. Thus, the principle of ius sanguinis, already present in previous legislation, is reaffirmed as the central principle for the acquisition of citizenship, while ius soli remains an exceptional and residual hypothesis.

By explicitly stating that the mother also transmits citizenship, the article fully embraces the principle of gender equality in the transmission of citizenship status.

Regarding the procedures for recognition of Italian citizenship by right of blood, they have been formally set out in Circular No. K.28.1 of 8 April 1991 from the Ministry of the Interior.

The authority responsible for verification is determined based on the place of residence: for residents abroad, it is the territorially competent Consular Office.

The recognition procedure involves the following steps:

• verify that the descent begins from an ancestor (dante causa), as established by the aforementioned Circular K.28.1;
• verify that the Italian ancestor retained citizenship until the birth of the descendant. Lack of naturalization or the date of any naturalization must be certified by the competent foreign authority;
• prove the descent from the Italian ancestor through civil status documents of birth and marriage, duly legalized (if required) and accompanied by official translation. Note: citizenship transmission through the maternal line is valid only for children born after 01.01.1948, the date the Constitution came into force;
• certify that neither the applicant nor the ancestors have ever renounced Italian citizenship, interrupting the transmission chain, with certificates issued by the competent Italian diplomatic-consular authorities.

The applicant must submit the application complete with required documentation proving all the above aspects.

2.2 Attribution of Citizenship Following Recognition, Adoption, Judicial Declaration of Parentage During Minority, or Co-residence with Naturalized Italian Parent

Law No. 91/92 pays special attention to the acquisition of citizenship during minority following:

a) recognition or judicial declaration of parentage; b) adoption; c) naturalization of the parent.

a) Citizenship by recognition or judicial declaration of parentage An Italian citizen is the minor who is recognized as a child by an Italian citizen or who is declared to be the child of an Italian citizen by a judge (Art. 2, para. 1 Law No. 91/92).

b) Citizenship following adoption during minority A foreign minor adopted by an Italian citizen acquires citizenship by order of the Italian Judicial Authority or, in case of an adoption issued abroad, by a foreign ruling made effective in Italy through a transcription order issued by the Juvenile Court. If the adoptee is of age, they may acquire Italian citizenship by naturalization after five years of legal residence in Italy following the adoption.

c) Citizenship during minority following parental naturalization According to Art. 14 of Law No. 91/92: “Minor children of individuals who acquire or reacquire Italian citizenship, if cohabiting, acquire Italian citizenship, but, once of age, may renounce it if holding another citizenship. The first period applies if, at the time of acquisition or reacquisition of citizenship by the parent, the minor has been legally residing in Italy for at least two consecutive years or, if under two years of age, since birth.” Thus, acquisition occurs under the condition of cohabitation according to Italian law, provided that at the time of acquisition or reacquisition of citizenship by the parent, the minor has been residing continuously in Italy for two years (or since birth, if under two), a requirement introduced by Decree-Law No. 36 of 28 March 2025, as converted by Law No. 74 of 23 May 2025. Art. 12 of Presidential Decree No. 572/93 specified that cohabitation must be stable and effective, documented appropriately, and must exist at the time of the parent’s acquisition or reacquisition of citizenship.

2.3 Election of Citizenship Following Recognition of Parentage in Adulthood

If recognition or judicial declaration concerns an adult, they acquire Italian citizenship only if within one year of the decision they declare their will to do so through a “citizenship election” (Art. 2, para. 2 Law No. 91/92). According to Art. 3 of Presidential Decree 12.10.1993, No. 572, the declaration must be accompanied by the following documents:

• birth certificate (for exact identification);
• recognition act or authenticated copy of the judgment declaring paternity or maternity;
• parent’s citizenship certificate.

It should be noted that the judicial declaration may have been made abroad: in such case, the one-year period for declaring citizenship election begins from the date the foreign ruling becomes effective in Italy.

 

2.4 Evaluation of applications pursuant to Decree-Law of 28 March 2025, No. 36, converted by Law of 23 May 2025, No. 74

Applications submitted following the enactment of Decree-Law No. 36 of 28 March 2025, converted, with amendments, by Law No. 74 of 23 May 2025, make the acquisition of Italian citizenship conditional on the fulfilment of certain criteria. For the updated legal text, please refer to the following link.

In particular, applicants born abroad who hold another citizenship are not deemed to have acquired Italian citizenship automatically, unless:

• A first or second-degree ancestor (parents or grandparents) possesses – or possessed at the time of death – only Italian citizenship;
• A parent or adopter resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and prior to the birth (or adoption) of the child.

To demonstrate that one of the above criteria is met, the applicant must submit appropriate supporting documentation:

For example, to prove exclusive possession of Italian citizenship:

• negative citizenship certificates;
• citizenship renunciation declarations;
• certificates of non-registration on electoral rolls.

To prove residence in Italy for at least two consecutive years:

• historical citizenship certificate.

Mere personal declarations are not considered sufficient.

 

2.5 Citizenship by benefit of law (art. 4)

This case, governed by Article 4 of Law No. 91/92, generally applies to circumstances within Italian territory. Therefore, the relevant provisions fall under the competence of the Ministry of the Interior.

We highlight here only the rule allowing children of an Italian parent by birth to acquire citizenship if the parents (or legal guardian) declare their intent. If the declaration is submitted within one year of the child’s birth (or of the subsequent date when filiation – including adoption – is established), the child may acquire Italian citizenship even while residing abroad; however, if more than one year has passed, the child must reside legally in Italy for at least two consecutive years for the declaration to be effective.

Once of legal age, the individual may renounce Italian citizenship provided another citizenship is held.

Declarations may also be submitted by 23:59 (Rome time) on 31 May 2026, on behalf of minors as of 24 May 2025, who are children of iure sanguinis citizens as referred to in letters a), a-bis), and b) of Article 3-bis, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992.

A contribution of €250 is required to the benefit of the Ministry of the Interior for acquiring Italian citizenship under Article 4.

 

2.6 Grant of citizenship under Article 9 (including service rendered to the Italian State)

Article 9 of Law No. 91/1992 establishes the grant of Italian citizenship by Decree of the President of the Republic, with differentiated procedures based on specific applicant requirements and varying periods of legal residence necessary to legitimize the application.

As a general rule, at least 10 years of legal residence in Italy is required for non-EU foreigners (Art. 9, letter f). However, no residence requirement applies to foreigners who have rendered service—even abroad—for the Italian State for at least five years (Art. 9, letter c).

Since these cases apply exclusively within Italian territory, the relevant regulations fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior.

The second paragraph of Article 9 provides that Italian citizenship may be granted by Presidential Decree, after consultation with the Council of State and deliberation by the Council of Ministers, upon proposal by the Minister of the Interior in agreement with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to a foreigner who has rendered eminent services to Italy, or when there is an exceptional interest of the State.

The procedure does not require a formal application by the individual concerned, but must be initiated by institutions, public figures, or associations that can demonstrate widespread recognition of the applicant’s eligibility under the law.

The process includes obtaining opinions from security agencies and, for residents in Italy, from the Prefecture of residence.

It is mandatory to obtain the individual’s written consent to acquire citizenship.

Even in this case, the Presidential Decree has no effect if the individual, residing abroad, does not take the oath of allegiance to the Republic before the competent Consular Office, as required by Article 10 of the law.

Citizenship takes effect the day after the oath is taken.

2.7 Citizenship by Marriage and Civil Union

The acquisition of citizenship by a foreign or stateless spouse of an Italian citizen is governed by Articles 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Law No. 91/92 and subsequent amendments.

The foreign spouse may acquire Italian citizenship upon application, provided the following requirements are met:

• In Italy: two years of legal residence after the marriage/civil union or from the date the spouse acquired Italian citizenship by naturalization;
• Abroad: three years after the marriage/civil union or from the date the spouse acquired Italian citizenship by naturalization. These timeframes are halved in the presence of children born or adopted by the spouses;
• The marriage/civil union must be valid under Italian law and registered with the competent Italian Municipality, and the marital bond must remain intact until the decree is issued;
• No criminal convictions for offenses punishable by a maximum sentence of at least three years of imprisonment, or convictions by a foreign judicial authority to a sentence exceeding one year for non-political crimes, when the sentence has been registered in Italy;
• No convictions for any of the crimes listed in Book Two, Title I, Chapters I, II, and III of the Penal Code (crimes against the personality of the State);
• No security-related impediments for the Republic;
• Certified knowledge of the Italian language at a level not lower than B1 of the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages” (requirement in force for applications submitted from 4 December 2018).

Applicants residing abroad must submit their application for Italian citizenship online, following the procedure established by the competent Ministry of the Interior.

The applicant must register on the dedicated portal at: https://www.interno.gov.it/servizi/servizi-line and, once logged in, will have access to the online procedure for submitting the citizenship application.

To facilitate identification of the territorially competent diplomatic-consular representation, the above website includes a link that allows users—after selecting their country of residence—to choose the competent representation via a dropdown menu listing the entire diplomatic-consular network of the selected country.

The user must complete all required fields in the form and upload the following mandatory documents indicated by the Ministry of the Interior (note: EU Regulation No. 2016/1191, effective from 16 February 2019, provides exemption from legalization if public documents are issued to an EU citizen by the authorities of their Member State of citizenship):

• Birth certificate from the country of origin (compliant with legalization/apostille and translation requirements), complete with all personal details, or, in case of documented impossibility, a certificate issued by the diplomatic-consular authority of the country of origin indicating the exact personal details (name, surname, date and place of birth), as well as the applicant’s parentage;
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin, and from any third countries of residence and countries of citizenship (compliant with legalization/apostille and translation requirements);
• Receipt of payment of €250;
• Identity document: photocopy of a valid passport (pages with personal data, photo, issue and expiry dates) or identity card;
• Certificate of Italian language proficiency at a level not lower than B1 of the CEFR, or a diploma issued by a public or accredited educational institution recognized by the Ministry of Education, University and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The only accepted certifying institutions are:

• University for Foreigners of Siena (CILS)
• University for Foreigners of Perugia (CELI)
• Roma Tre University (Cert.It)
• University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” of Reggio Calabria (Ce.Co.L.)
• Dante Alighieri Society (PLIDA)

Exemptions from presenting the language certificate apply to:

• Foreigners (even if residing abroad) who have signed the integration agreement under Article 4-bis of Legislative Decree No. 286/1998 (Immigration Consolidated Act);
• Holders of EU long-term residence permits under Article 9 of the same Act;
• Those who have obtained a diploma issued by a public or accredited educational institution recognized by the Ministry of Education and/or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Individuals affected by serious limitations in language learning ability due to age, illness, or disability, certified by a public health authority, as per Constitutional Court ruling No. 25/2025.

After submitting the online application, the applicant will be summoned by the diplomatic-consular representation that received the application for identification and other steps necessary to finalize the application, including acquisition of the original documentation attached to the online application and any other useful documents for its evaluation. Note: the marriage certificate, family status certificate, and Italian citizenship certificate of the spouse may be replaced, if the applicant is an EU citizen, by self-certification pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 445/2000 and Law No. 183/2011.

Applicants who are citizens of a non-EU country may be exempt from submitting the marriage/civil union certificate, family status certificate, and Italian citizenship certificate of the spouse only if these documents are already held by the diplomatic-consular representation.

Under Article 4, paragraph 5 of Presidential Decree No. 572/93, the Ministry of the Interior may request additional documents as needed.

According to the directive of the Minister of the Interior dated 7 March 2012, from 1 June 2012 the authority to issue citizenship decrees lies with:

• The Prefect, for applications submitted by foreigners legally residing in Italy;
• The Head of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration, if the foreign spouse resides abroad;
• The Minister of the Interior, in cases involving national security concerns.

It is advisable to consult the website of the competent representation based on residence.

2.8 Attribution of Citizenship by Ius Soli as a Residual and Supplementary Criterion

Italian citizenship is granted to:

– A person whose parents are unknown or stateless, or who cannot transmit their citizenship to the child under the laws of their country of citizenship (Art. 1, paragraph 1, letter b of Law No. 91/92);

– A child of unknown parents found abandoned in Italian territory, whose citizenship cannot be determined (Art. 1, paragraph 2 of Law No. 91/92).