Italian Citizenship Application

For your Italian Citizenship application process, do not hesitate to consult Boccadutri International Law Firm for personalized and professional legal services.

The application for Italian citizenship is a complex process, as the same law is applied differently depending on one’s family and personal history.

Italian citizenship, like all national citizenships of a member state of the European Union, is important beyond mere recognition within Italian territory since “Union citizenship is hereby established. Every person holding the nationality of a Member State shall be a citizen of the Union” (Article 20 TFEU).

Boccadutri International Law Firm provides consultancy and legal assistance services for the application for Italian citizenship in cases of:

• Recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis);
• Application for Italian citizenship by marriage (ius matrimonii);
• Application for Italian citizenship by residency.

Ius Sanguinis

It can be obtained in the case of descent from an Italian parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent.

It is important to know that according to Italian law, Italian women who emigrated can transmit citizenship only from the entry into force of the Constitution onwards. This means that descendants of Italian women born after January 1st, 1948, can obtain recognition of citizenship by ius sanguinis directly through administrative procedures, while descendants of Italian women born before December 31st, 1947, must necessarily initiate legal action.

There is also the possibility that the Italian ancestor was born before March 17th, 1861, the date of the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy. In that case, the right to apply for citizenship exists only if the ancestor passed away after the Unification of Italy.

Ius Matrimonii

Italian citizenship can be requested by marriage if one is married or in a civil union with an Italian citizen.

Civil union in Italy is recognized only between same-sex couples.

 If the partner becomes an Italian citizen after marriage/civil union, the time will be calculated from the date of acquisition of citizenship.

It is not necessary to have married/been in a civil union in Italy or to reside in Italy to submit the application.

The difference between residing in Italy or abroad affects the time period that must elapse before meeting the requirements to apply for Italian citizenship.

 If residing in Italy (continuously and legally), two years must pass from the date of marriage before applying for citizenship, while if residing abroad, three years must pass.

In the presence of minor children, whether natural or adopted, these times are halved.

Proficiency in the Italian language at a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is essential.

In some situations, other qualifications may be recognized, or it may not be necessary to provide a language certificate or qualification.

The marriage/civil union will be subject to checks to verify its stability, absence of ongoing separations, dissolution, annulments, or cessation of civil effects, failing which the application will be dismissed.

Residency

Italian citizenship can be requested based on residency if one has legally and continuously resided in Italy for a certain period of time:

• 4 years of residency for citizens of the European Union;
• 5 years of residency for stateless persons and political refugees;
• 5 years of residency for adult foreigners adopted by Italian citizens;
• 10 years of residency for non-EU citizens.

 Possession of a residence permit is not sufficient without continuity of registration in the registry office, as evidenced by rejection letters motivated by this issue. There must have been no periods of residency abroad or periods of unavailability within the territory.

In this regard, attention must be paid to any cancellations by the registry office, even if there have been no changes of residence or long absences.

Additional requirements include:

• Proficiency in the Italian language (minimum level B1 of CEFR)
• Personal or family income (if on the same family status) for the three years preceding the citizenship application:
• Income without dependents must be €8,263.31 per year,
• Income with a spouse dependent must be €11,362.05 per year plus €516 per each additional person.
• Absence of criminal convictions and social dangerousness.

Boccadutri International Law Firm offers a range of services to assist you during the Italian citizenship application process.

Our services include:

• Personalized legal advice to assess your eligibility to apply for Italian citizenship.
• Assistance in collecting the necessary documents to submit the Italian citizenship application;
• Assistance in completing the application correctly and comprehensively.
• Legal representation in case litigation with Italian authorities becomes necessary.

We can assist you in all stages of the process, from initial advice to the submission of the Italian citizenship application.