Dual citizenship in Italy
3 min 
Dual citizenship is a fantastic opportunity for anyone; for those who wish to travel, study, or work abroad – there are endless benefits of being a citizen of more than one nation.
Italian citizens who have also become citizens of foreign countries can only lose their Italian citizenship by formal renunciation. But with the majority of states permitting (or, even encouraging) dual citizenship, many people are taking advantage of the benefits of being a citizen of multiple states.
Multiple citizenship comes with many rights and obligations, including the right to a passport, free entry into the country, residency, work permissions, political applications, and voting rights.
However, depending on in which country you hold citizenship, there are some exceptions. Some countries, while recognizing dual citizenship, require that every citizen observe and exercise certain rights, such as electoral obligations (compulsory voting).
Dual citizenship in Italy and Europe
Italian citizenship is regulated by law 91 of February 5th 1992, which allows Italian citizens to acquire citizenship of a foreign country without losing their Italian citizenship and vice versa for foreign citizens acquiring the Italian citizenship.
It should also be stressed that those who acquire citizenship of a member state of the European Union automatically become a citizen of the European Union. Most European states allow dual citizenship.
States that do not allow dual citizenship
Several countries prohibit the possession of dual or multiple citizenships, thus it is important to be informed of both the laws of your country of origin and the country in which you are seeking to obtain a second citizenship.
There are situations in which a person loses the citizenship of the country of origin without having in the meantime acquired citizenship in the country in which he lives, or the situation of being a stateless person.
Dual citizenship, dual taxation?
Not always. It is common practice for taxes to be paid in the country in which taxable income has been generated according to the general principle of ‘Residency Based Taxation’.
There are exceptions to this, however, including the United States, which taxes the worldwide income of all its citizens regardless of where they are a resident.
How to apply for dual citizenship
Anyone who is a citizen of a country that allows dual citizenship can also become an Italian citizen. The procedure for applying for and obtaining Italian citizenship varies according to why and how it is requested.
Regarding how to obtain Italian citizenship, our Immigration department is available for clarification on any of the points listed above, and are able to guide you comprehensively through any situation you encounter.
Italian dual citizenship
Dual citizenship was embraced by Italy through amendments to several laws during the 20th century to encourage the integration of foreigners and to allow Italians abroad to integrate in turn, without formally renounces ties to their country of origin.
Both Britain and Italy allow dual citizenship, which has created opportunities for British citizens with Italian roots to maintain their European status after Brexit. Many British citizens residing abroad have already chosen to apply for dual citizenship to avoid encountering problems when traveling from one country to another following the December 2020, the official exit date of Britain from the European Union.
The Boccadutri law firm thoroughly evaluates the individual circumstances of every single client in order to provide as many options as possible, whether it be for the process of obtaining a residency permit for a foreign national, applying for Italian citizenship via Iure Sanguinis (blood-right), or an Italian citizenship application via marriage or naturalisation.
Our position as an international law firm allows us to support our clients in their native language, so they can clearly communicate their needs and circumstance. Please do not hesitate to contact us for advice on immigration law by following the following link here.
Complete the form to request a legal consultation. Our experts will evaluate your case and suggest the best solution.
Calogero Boccadutri
17 responses to “Dual citizenship in Italy”
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I am a UK citizen. I started living in Italy from February 2016, after buying a house in Sutri (VT). I only applied for residency in November 2016, as I mistakenly thought I had to have lived there for 6 months before applying.
My residency application was accepted.
I now want to apply for Italian Citizenship and would like to know when I can do this, being four years from one of the following:
i) the date I started living in Italy (Feb 2016)
ii) the date of submission of my successful Residency application (Nov 2016), or
iii) the date stamp on my Residency card, following application in Nove 2016 (04/2017)
Thankyou
Dear Prescott,
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Kind regards,
Calogero
Both my parents were born in Italy, however, I was not, I was born in London, UK, but thankfully
my name plus birth details were registered in Italy (Comune), and at present, I am in the process of obtaining my first Italian passport, which is simply a formality.
My question is:-
My future plan is to retire to Italy, but as I’ve spent very little time within Italy, only on vacations visiting family, I’ve not contributed any taxation,.
What should I take into consideration and what, if anything, would I be entitled to? taking into account that I am an Italian citizen.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated,
Regards,
Steven .
Dear Steven,
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Calogero
I almost have all my blood line documents completed and I’m getting my apostles and translations.
Can you please tell me what you would charge for a 1948 Rule Maternal case (court room work only)?
Respectfully,
Rick
[email protected]
Dear Rick,
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Calogero
I am looking into how to obtain Italian citizenship and then an Italian passport for my eldest son. My late father was an Italian citizen all his life, and, although I am not, I presume my son is still eligible under ‘jus sanguinis’, What services do you offer in this respect? I am interested to know your fees for a full citizen/passport application and/or what you would charge for ad hoc advice, given that I think we can put together most of the paperwork ourselves. Thank, Luigi Fort
Dear Fort,
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Calogero
Hi,
My Dad is an Italian Citizen and I am registered in my local town hall in Italy (Nova Milanese). However, I have a double-barrel surname but at the time of my birth, I could only be registered with 1 surname. I now need to update my name in the registry and have been told this can be done in the Registry Office of the Consulate General in London or through the Town Hall in Nova Milanese. I would prefer to do it in London. Can you handle all this for me and then handle me getting my Italian Passport.
I want peace of mind and would love someone to be in charge of it all and just pay an upfront fee and be done with it.
Kind regards,
Sebastian Spalding-Siracusa
Dear Sebastian,
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Calogero
Salve. Sono nata a Napoli ma vivo in Inghilterra dal 1976. Nel 1981 ho perso la cittadinanza Italiana quando sono stata naturalizzata in quella Britannica dopo il matrimonio.
Sto cercando di ri-acquistare la cittadinanza Italiana per me e la mia famiglia, ma trovo molti ostacoli.
Potete aiautarci?
Cordiali saluti
Marisa Gallo Johnson
Dear Marisa,
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Calogero
Hi
I’m a UK citizen with UK passport with plans to live in Germany in January 2022. I’m trying to get my Italian citizenship/passport as quickly as possible. My Father is Italian and I’m gathering the documentation required for the process however dealing with the consulate in London is impossible. Is this a faster process applying in Italy? I can stay with my family there I just need this done ASAP. Any advice would be welcomed.
Grazie
Dear Pietro,
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Calogero
Hi,
My Paternal grandfather was a Sicilian as was the blood line before him.
He came to the UK and had my father before moving to Canada.
I am wondering if dual Italian citizenship through my bloodline is achievable.
Kind regards,
Kayleigh Cavaleri
Dear Cavaleri,
Thanks for your comment. Our experts will contact you as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Calogero