Skip to main content

Italian Citizenship

Passport

How to acquire Italian citizenship

Italian citizenship is a status through which the Italian legal system recognizes full civil and political rights.

More

Citizenship is automatically acquired in the following cases:

A visa is an authorization granted to foreigners allowing entry into the Schengen Area and the Italian Republic.

  • 01

    By Birth from an Italian Parent: This is known as “ius sanguinis,” meaning citizenship by direct descent from at least one parent who holds Italian citizenship. A child is considered Italian if at least one parent is Italian.

  • 02

    By Birth on Italian Territory: A child born in Italy to unknown parents, stateless persons, or foreigners from countries whose legislation does not provide for the transmission of citizenship from parents to children born abroad acquires Italian citizenship. A child found on the territory of the Republic, if not proven to hold another citizenship, is also considered a citizen by birth.

  • 03

    By Adoption: A foreign minor adopted by an Italian citizen acquires citizenship by right.

  • 04

    By Recognition or Judicial Declaration of Parentage: If an Italian citizen acknowledges a minor child after birth, the child automatically acquires Italian citizenship. If the child is of legal age, they retain their original citizenship but can choose Italian citizenship (within one year of recognition, judicial declaration, or validation of the foreign decision).

  • 05

    By Acquisition or Reacquisition by Parents: The minor child of individuals who acquire or reacquire Italian citizenship automatically obtains citizenship, provided they live in a stable and effective manner with them.

Citizenship may also be granted in cases where the foreign national has rendered eminent services to Italy or if there is exceptional interest from the State.

Citizenship can be requested in the following ways:

  • 01

    By Voluntary Acquisition: A foreigner or stateless person, born anywhere, whose father or mother (or direct ancestor up to the second degree) were Italian citizens by birth, can acquire Italian citizenship if certain conditions are met (e.g., performing military service in the armed forces and declaring the intention to acquire Italian citizenship; assuming a public position under the State, including abroad, and declaring the intention to acquire Italian citizenship; or residing legally in Italy for two years upon turning 18 and declaring, within one year of reaching majority, the intention to acquire Italian citizenship).

  • 02

    By Birth on Italian Territory from Foreign Parents: A child born in Italy to foreign parents can only request citizenship after turning 18 if they have legally and continuously resided in Italy up to that point.

  • 03

    By Marriage or Civil Union

  • 04

    By Residency (i.e., “naturalization”)

CONTACT US
Have questions or need more information? Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We’re here to help!
Contact Us
+39 3925562875