Citizenship / Naturalization in Italy
One documented route of this kind in Italy, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Italian citizenship by naturalization and by descent (jure sanguinis)
Italian citizenship may be acquired by naturalization (generally after 10 years of legal residence for non-EU nationals, 4 for EU nationals, 3 for those of Italian descent) or recognized by descent (jure sanguinis) for individuals with an unbroken Italian ancestral line.
- Language requirement
- B1 Italian language certification is required for naturalization applications based on residence/marriage.
- Permanent residence
- Naturalization itself confers citizenship; not applicable as PR.
- Citizenship
- Jure sanguinis: recognition is administrative (no minimum residence required) but limited to applicants with an Italian-born parent or grandparent (Law 74/2025, in force May 24, 2025). Naturalization: 2 years residence for applicants with Italian-born parent or grandparent; 4 years for EU nationals; 10 years for non-EU nationals.
Requirements
- Naturalization: continuous legal residence for the required period and B1 Italian certification
- Descent (jure sanguinis): documented unbroken line of Italian ancestry with no intervening loss of citizenship
- Clean criminal record and proof of income for residence-based applications
- Application via the online ALI / consular system as applicable