Dual Citizenship Italy: The Ultimate Guide

Italian dual citizenship allows you to retain your original citizenship and become an Italian citizen, whereby you can obtain an Italian passport.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to obtain Italian dual citizenship, including topics:

• Benefits of Italian dual citizenship
• How to get dual Italian citizenship
• Requirements and qualifications for Italian dual citizenship
• Italian dual citizenship application
• Requirements for Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)
• Requirements for Italian citizenship by marriage (ius matrimonii)
• Requirements for Italian citizenship by residency (ius soli)
• Italian dual citizenship application cost
• Renouncing Italian citizenship
• Italian American dual citizenship

Does Italy allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Italy allows dual citizenship, and you do not need to renounce any other citizenship during this process. To acquire Italian citizenship, you must prove your Italian ancestry with proper documentation.

It’s also important to come from a country supporting dual citizenship with Italy. Otherwise, you’ll have to renounce your original citizenship.

5 Benefits of Italian Dual Citizenship

If you obtain Italian dual citizenship, you can benefit from different perks, including:

1. The right to work, study, and live in the European Union (EU): Once you become an Italian citizen, you can live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union. This benefit means you can travel freely among EU member states without needing a visa or residence permit. With this, you get access to even more job opportunities, and students can attend schools and universities across the European Union.
2. Travel freedom: Once you finish the dual Italian citizenship process, you can apply for an Italian passport, which allows you to travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access to over 180 countries. The top destinations include Europe, the United States, and Canada.
3. Access to healthcare and education: When you obtain Italian citizenship, you can access healthcare and education in Italy and other EU countries. The Italian government has made public healthcare and education completely free, or you have to pay minimal contributions. Additionally, as an Italian citizen, you can apply for Italian and EU scholarships.
4. The right to vote: Italian citizens have the right to vote in Italian and European Union elections. This way, you can actively shape Italy and the European Union.
5. Family benefits: If you become an Italian citizen, your children can become Italian nationals too.

How to Get Dual Citizenship Italy

The path to dual citizenship in Italy depends on your eligibility for different types of citizenship. The first step in the process is to determine your eligibility. Once you have a deep understanding of Italian law and citizenship, you have to prepare the necessary documents, submit your application, and wait for approval.

The three main ways of obtaining Italian citizenship are citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage, and citizenship by residency. Each pathway has its specific requirements, and understanding them is crucial to a successful application.

1. Italian Citizenship by Descent (ius sanguinis): For those with Italian ancestry, you can claim Italian citizenship if you can prove that you are of Italian descent.
2. Italian Citizenship by Marriage (ius matrimonii): If you meet language and residency requirements, you can apply for citizenship after a certain period of marriage.
3. Italian Citizenship by Residency (ius soli): Non-EU nationals who have been living in Italy for 10 years and EU citizens who have been living in Italy for four years qualify for Italian dual citizenship.

Requirements for Dual Italian Citizenship

Requirements for Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)

Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis) allows individuals with Italian ancestors to get Italian citizenship.

The main requirements for obtaining Italian citizenship through descent are:

• Having one or more Italian ancestors who were an Italian citizen
• Your Italian ancestor did not renounce their citizenship before the birth of their child
• You can prove your Italian heritage through birth, death, and marriage certificates.

Sometimes, you might have to provide records as old as 100 years. The best way to find such old documentation is to seek it in Italian archives or churches. Missing documentation can delay or hinder your application, so it’s best to prepare all the paperwork beforehand and translate it if needed.

The required documents for Italian citizenship by descent are:

• Birth certificate of Italian ancestor
• Marriage certificate of Italian ancestor
• Death certificate of Italian ancestor
• Birth certificates for each generation:
• Marriage certificates (all generations)
• Your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Divorce decree (if applicable)
• Valid passport
• Driver’s license or state ID
• Proof of residence
• AIRE registration (if applicable)
• Application forms
• Translations & Apostilles

Requirements for Italian citizenship by marriage (ius matrimonii)

All those married to an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage (ius matrimonii) is available to individuals who are married to an Italian citizen. If you and your partner reside in Italy, you can apply for Italian citizenship after two years of marriage. But if you’re residing abroad, you can apply after three years of marriage.

In both instances, the waiting period is halved if the couple has minor children. When applying for citizenship through marriage, you have to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Italian language, typically at a B1 level, by getting a certificate from an accredited language school.

The most important document applicants have to provide is the marriage certificate. On top of this, you should get other documentation, such as police clearance certificates from every country where they have lived for six months or more in the past ten years.

Required documents for Italian citizenship by marriage:

• Application form
• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Proof of marriage validity
• Proof of residency in Italy (if applicable)
• Proof of relationship
• Criminal background check
• Proof of Italian language proficiency
• Tax documentation (if required)
• AIRE registration (if applicable)

Requirements for Italian Citizenship by Residency (ius soli)

Italian citizenship by residency is available to those who have lived in Italy for an extended period.

Two common routes for obtaining citizenship are through the Italy Golden Visa and the Italy Digital Nomad Visa.

The minimum stay requirements depend on your background, status, and the country you’re coming from. Here’s the breakdown of minimum stay requirements for Italian dual citizenship:

In addition, applicants must showcase their integration into Italian society, including knowledge of the Italian language and cultural aspects, proof of stable income, and housing. 

Required documents for Italian citizenship by residency

• Application form
• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Proof of residency in Italy
• Proof of language proficiency
• Employment or income documentation
• Criminal background check
• Tax documentation
• Health insurance documentation
• AIRE registration (if applicable)

Italian Dual Citizenship Application

Here is the step-by-step guide on how to start and complete your Italian dual citizenship application:

1. Determine your eligibility

Before you start the application process, determine if you qualify for Italian dual citizenship. You can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage, descent, or residency. Determine which citizenship best suits your needs and move on to the next stage of the process.

2. Prepare the necessary documents

The next step is to prepare the necessary documents. The documentation depends on the citizenship path you’re planning to take, but the most important documentation generally includes:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Death certificates
• Naturalization records
• Marriage certificates

It’s important to note that all documents must be translated into Italian and certified with an Apostille, which verifies their authenticity. It’s advisable to hire a professional to ensure the translations are accurate and meet the requirements set by the Italian consulate.

3. Complete submitting your application

You will need to submit your application through the local Italian consulate. The application process might also include a non-refundable application fee. Normally, you have to submit your application in person, so it is highly advisable to make an appointment at the consulate online.

After you submit your application, you may be asked to participate in an interview where consulate officials verify your identity and documentation.

4. Become an Italian citizen

Once your application is submitted, you must wait for it to be approved. Depending on the complexity of your case and the consulate’s workload, this process can take several months or even years.

After approval, you will receive confirmation of your Italian citizenship, allowing you to obtain an Italian passport and exercise the rights of a dual citizen.

Cost of Italian Dual Citizenship Application

The cost of an Italian citizenship application can vary depending on the type of application.

Here’s the summary of the most important costs when applying for Italian dual citizenship:

• Application fees: Application fees are usually non-refundable and you have to pay those when you’re submitting your application to the consulate. Fees range from €300 to €500, depending on the type of citizenship application.
• Translation and certification fees: It’s important to have all documents translated into Italian. The best way to do this is to hire a certified translator. Translation and certification for each document may cost between €30 and €100.
• Obtaining documents: To obtain the most important documents, such as birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates, you might need to request records from Italian archives. This, naturally, involves fees and the cost of them will depend on the number of needed documents.

You should also consider that you might need to provide additional documents. While the upfront costs can be significant, the benefits of obtaining Italian dual citizenship can outweigh the cost of fees in the long term.

List of Countries which Permit Dual Citizenship with Italy

Here’s the list of countries which have permitted dual citizenship with Italy:

• United States
• Canada
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Portugal
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Norway
• New Zealand
• South Africa
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Chile
• Mexico

Renouncing Italian Citizenship

Renouncing Italian citizenship means relinquishing the rights and benefits of being an Italian citizen, such as access to EU citizenship, healthcare in Italy, and the Italian education system. In most cases, Italian nationals renounce dual nationality if a foreign country doesn’t permit dual citizenship with Italy.

To start the process, submit a request to the Italian consulate. You must provide proof of your intention to retain foreign citizenship, complete an application, and pay a non-refundable fee.

Remember, you can revert this decision and reclaim your Italian citizenship. However, Italian law says you must undergo another formal application process.

Italian American Dual Citizenship

You can obtain dual citizenship in the United States and Italy if you can prove Italian ancestry with a continuous, unbroken line of citizenship. Since 1992, Italy has permitted dual citizenship with the U.S., so you won’t need to renounce your American citizenship when applying.

Many Italian Americans can become dual citizens of the US and Italy through Italian citizenship by descent. If they have dual citizenship in Italy, they can transfer citizenship to their children’s direct bloodline. This is an amazing opportunity for Italian Americans to explore their Italian ancestry, live in Italy, and take advantage of all that Italian citizenship offers, such as residing abroad in Italy or other EU countries.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Citizenship Italy

Who qualifies for dual citizenship in Italy?

You can become a dual citizen of Italy by applying for Italian citizenship by residency, ancestry, or marriage. While you have to reside in Italy for citizenship by residency and marriage, there are no requirements for minimum stay for those who apply for citizenship by descent.

Can I apply for Italian citizenship online?

You can start your application for Italian citizenship online, but you must turn in the documents in person at the Italian consulate.

How much does it cost to apply for Italian dual citizenship?

The cost of Italian dual citizenship depends on the application type and your location. However, fees range from €300 to €500. You should also consider that you have to pay for translating documents and some additional fees.

What are the disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship?

Disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship include potential tax obligations in both countries and issues with legal rights in both countries. However, this shouldn’t pose major issues. You get more benefits from having Italian dual citizenship.