How to Become an Italian Citizen in 2025

Find out how to obtain Italian citizenship in 2025: by birth, marriage, residence, or employment. Key updates for specific applicant categories.

In 2025, significant legislative reforms reshaped the rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent. However, the changes also affect other categories of applicants.

This guide provides an up-to-date overview of the main pathways to Italian citizenship, with a focus on the changes introduced by Decree-Law 36/2025, converted into Law 74/2025.

These include stricter eligibility criteria that exclude many who were previously entitled, and a new facilitated route for descendants of Italians, even those who do not qualify under traditional iure sanguinis rules.

How to acquire italian Citizenship

As of 2025, Italian citizenship can be acquired through various pathways, each with specific requirements and conditions.
Below is a summary of the main routes to citizenship covered in this article:

Citizenship by right (automatic, no application required):

• Iure sanguinis: by descent from Italian parents or grandparents
• Ius soli: by birth in Italy in certain cases (e.g., stateless parents)
• Adoption: for minors adopted by Italian citizens
• Recognition or judicial declaration of parentage
• Minor children of newly naturalised Italian citizens living in the same household

Citizenship by application (granted by law):

• Naturalisation by residency: for foreign nationals who have lived in Italy for a legally required minimum period
• Citizenship by election: for those born in Italy to foreign parents who have resided there legally until age 18
• Facilitated citizenship (2025): for descendants of Italian citizens who have been working in Italy for at least two years, even if they do not qualify under the iure sanguinis route

Special cases:

• Military service in the Italian Armed Forces
• Public employment for the Italian State, including positions held abroad

Each of these categories will be explored in the following sections, with practical explanations and the latest legal updates introduced by Decree-Law No. 36/2025.

Main ways to obtain italian Citizenship

There are two main categories for acquiring Italian citizenship:

• Citizenship by right (automatic acquisition)
• Citizenship by law (granted upon application under specific conditions)

Citizenship by right

This form of Citizenship is granted automatically, without the need to file a formal application.

Cases include:

Citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis)

Anyone born to at least one Italian parent is considered an Italian citizen.

However, under Law 74/2025, for applications submitted after 27 March 2025, the iure sanguinis rule is limited to the second generation (parents and grandparents) for those born abroad with another Citizenship.

Those already recognised as citizens, those with appointments booked with the Municipality or Consulate before 27 March 2025, and those who have initiated judicial proceedings are exempt from the new rule.

This means that individuals born abroad who hold another citizenship no longer automatically qualify as Italian citizens, unless they fall under specific exceptions.

Citizenship by birth in Italy (ius soli)

Children born in Italy to stateless, unknown, or foreign parents who cannot pass on their own citizenship under their country’s laws acquire Italian citizenship.

Adoption

A foreign minor adopted by Italian citizens automatically acquires Italian citizenship.

Recognition or court declaration of parenthood

If an Italian parent recognises a minor child after birth, the child automatically becomes an Italian citizen.

Children of new citizens

Minor children of individuals who acquire or reacquire Italian citizenship also become citizens, provided they live with the newly recognised parent.

Citizenship by Law

Citizenship granted by law is subject to a formal application and the fulfilment of specific conditions.

Citizenship by naturalisation (residency-based)

You may apply for Citizenship by naturalisation based on the following residency periods in Italy:

• 10 years for non-EU citizens
• 4 years for EU citizens
• 5 years for stateless persons or refugees
• 2 years for foreign nationals with Italian parents or grandparents by birth

Requirements include:

• Stable income
• Good social integration
• No serious criminal convictions
• Knowledge of Italian at B1 level or above

Citizenship by declaration (election)

Individuals born in Italy to foreign parents who have legally resided in the country up to age 18 may declare their intent to become Italian citizens within one year of turning 18.

According to Article 4(2) of Law 91/1992, foreign nationals born in Italy are eligible for citizenship if they have continuously and legally resided in Italy and have attended Italian schools.

The declaration must be submitted in person at the Civil Registry Office (Ufficio di Stato Civile) of the municipality of residence, within one year of reaching adulthood.

This specific form of ius soli does not require income or criminal record checks.

Facilitated Citizenship by descent (non-iure sanguinis)

Under Article 3-bis of Decree-Law 36/2025:

Anyone with an Italian parent or grandparent (first or second-degree ascendants) may obtain citizenship after working legally in Italy for at least two years.

Applicants in this category may enter Italy outside of the quotas set by the annual immigration flow decree.

This applies even to those who do not qualify for iure sanguinis citizenship, for example, if their Italian ancestor was naturalised elsewhere.

A valid employment relationship (either as an employee or self-employed) is required.

This route is considered a form of naturalisation by residency.

Other special cases for Citizenship

• Service in the Italian Armed Forces
• Employment with the Italian government, even abroad

Required documents for italian Citizenship (depending on application type)

Required documents vary depending on the route chosen, but generally include:

• Valid ID document
• Birth certificate (legalised and translated, if necessary)
• Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and other countries of residence
• Proof of Italian language proficiency (minimum B1)
• Proof of adequate income
• Proof of legal residency in Italy
• Revenue stamp and payment of the mandatory government fee
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of employment (for the 2025 facilitated naturalisation route)

Final Considerations

The 2025 rules on Italian citizenship place greater emphasis on genuine ties to Italy for those living abroad and on integration for those living in the country.

Understanding whether you qualify for Citizenship by right or by law is the first step to navigating the process and assessing your chances.

In light of long government processing times, the most common reason for pursuing judicial routes to Citizenship, it’s best to avoid a DIY approach and consult an expert to confirm eligibility before submitting an application.

For legal support in complex situations or in case of legal uncertainty, contact our International Law Firm’s Immigration Law Department.

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Calogero Boccadutri

Calogero Boccadutri is the Managing Partner of Boccadutri International Law Firm. He has trial experience in Forex, Personal Injury and Administrative litigation.