Applying for citizenship

Applying for citizenship

Declaration of desire to become a citizen

If the foreigner is of Italian descent (up to the 2nd degree) he/she can obtain citizenship in any of the following cases:

– by serving in the Italian armed forces;– by becoming a subordinate employee of the Italian State, even abroad;

– by residing legally in Italy for at least two years after reaching legal age.

If the foreigner was born in Italian territory he/she can obtain citizenship by residing legally and uninterruptedly in Italy from birth up to legal age.

Marriage to an Italian citizen

The requirements include:

legal residence in Italy for at least 6 months after marriage or 3 years of matrimony if residing abroad;valid marriage certificate;

absence of criminal record;

absence of impediments associated with national security.

Applications for citizenship are to be addressed to the Ministry of the Interior and presented to the Prefecture in the Province of residence, if residing in Italy, or the diplomatic-consular authorities if residing abroad.

Naturalisation

requirements include:

10 years of legal residence;

sufficient income;

absence of criminal record;

renunciation of original citizenship (where foreseen).

the number of years can be reduced to:

3 years of legal residence for descendents of former Italian citizens by birth, up to the 2nd degree, and for foreigners born in Italian national territory;

4 years of legal residence for citizens of European Community Member States;

5 years of legal residence for displaced persons or refugees, as well as for legal-age foreigners adopted by Italian citizens;

7 years of legal residence as the child of an Italian parent;

no period of residence is required for foreigners who have served the State for a period of at least 5 years, even abroad.

Application for naturalisation must be addressed to the President of the Republic (Presidente della Repubblica) and presented to the Prefecture in the Province of residence.