Italian Citizenship - Conditions for Obtaining Italian Citizenship and Documents

Obtaining an Italian passport means forming a stable legal bond with a developed country, a member of the EU, and the Schengen zone. Many future residents want to obtain Italian citizenship due to its continuous economic growth, diverse climate, rich history and cultural heritage, and social, legal, and medical protection. In 2024, a foreign citizen can obtain the main document in Italy by birth, by blood right, or by naturalization. Depending on the migration path chosen, it can take 3-10 years to obtain a new passport.

Advantages of an Italian passport in 2024

An Italian passport is an identity card of a resident of a European state, allowing the holder to enjoy the various privileges of EU citizenship:

• A second home and a "backup location". Italy is perfect for business development, a comfortable life, work, and raising children. It is a beautiful country with a unique landscape, luxurious architecture and monuments, a mild climate, sociable citizens, and delicious cuisine. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to live by the sea, near a mountain range, in a bustling capital, or in a quiet provincial town.
• The opportunity to move and settle in any EU country. Since Italy is a member of the EU, its citizens can freely move around all EU countries, live, work, get an education, and do business. There is no need to obtain visas or residence permits from other countries.
• Access to quality medical services. In Italy, there are public and private forms of medical services. Emergency medical care is provided free of charge to everyone. With a passport of the country, you can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and use medical services in any EU country on an equal footing with its citizens.
• Prestigious European education. For children, primary and secondary education in Italy is generally available and free of charge. For citizens, the cost of education in universities and other institutions of higher education is lower than for non-residents.
• Free entry to more than 190 countries around the world. Italy ranks 4th among the countries in terms of traveling without visa authorization. Some countries have simplified entry or require prior electronic authorization.

Italian citizenship: conditions for obtaining it in 2024

It is possible to obtain an Italian passport in several ways. Let's analyze each of them in detail.

Obtaining citizenship by birth

Italian legislation states that a child is recognized as a citizen by birth in cases:

• his father or mother has the status of a citizen;
• was born in Italy, while the parents may be unidentified or stateless;
• the parents are foreign residents, but the child resided in Italy permanently until the age of 18. In this case, it is necessary to apply for citizenship 12 months before the candidate's majority.

If the candidate's grandparents were Italian citizens by birth (at least one person), the resident is eligible for a passport if:

• if he/she has been officially residing in Italy for 3 years or more;
• is serving in the Italian army or is employed by the state authorities - beforehand the applicant must submit a petition and declare his/her intention to become an Italian citizen.   

An adult resident of another country who was born in Italy and has lived in Italy for 3 years or more may apply for citizenship. 

Obtaining citizenship by naturalization

The standard path to an Italian passport takes about 10 years. To initiate the procedure, residents can resort to one of the following ways:

1. Official employment in Italy. Concluding a contract with an Italian employer, the applicant needs to obtain a document "On the absence of obstacles". The document is issued by the receiving party in the Unified Bureau of Immigration. After moving to Italy, the new employee signs an employment contract and on this basis receives a residence permit.
2. Doing business. If the applicant wants to register as a self-employed person, he must independently obtain a document "On the absence of obstacles" from the police department and pass certification in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The documents are considered by the competent authorities for about 20 days and in case of issuance of the permit, the candidate can start the process of legalization in Italy.
3. Family reunification. If a foreign citizen has already been legalized in Italy and received a residence permit for 1 year or more, he/she has the right to bring here a husband/wife and minor children. The applicant must confirm the availability of purchased or rented housing, and confirm an annual income of 9,120 €. The exact amount will be calculated depending on the number of relatives coming to join the main applicant.
4. Obtaining higher education in Italy. To obtain a D visa and residence permit, the student needs a certificate from the educational institution about his/her enrollment in the course. With the obtained type of residence permit the student has the right to get a job and work up to 20 hours per week, not more than 1040 hours per year. Further student type of residence permit can be reorganized into a working one.
5. Purchase of real estate. The mere fact of acquiring a residential property in Italy does not give the right to automatically obtain a residence permit. If the applicant wants to apply for a residence permit for financially independent persons, he needs to show material security and stable income (sufficient for a living) outside the country. In this case, the presence of real estate will be a good plus for the applicant when considering his application for a residence permit. Together with the main applicant, his/her husband/wife and children under 18 years of age can submit documents for registration of the new status.

Also, the current legislation provides for cases when the applicant can apply for Italian citizenship under a simplified procedure:

• By obtaining a passport in any EU country. For citizens of EU countries, the period of obtaining an Italian passport is reduced from 10 years to 4. In addition, the applicant does not need to take an Italian language test.
• Marriage registration. A foreign resident married to an Italian citizen can obtain a passport of the country if he/she has been living in Italy for 2 years continuously. If there are children in the family (born or adopted), the specified waiting period is reduced by 2 times. The applicant will receive a refusal if, in the process of studying his case, the spouses are officially divorced or are currently dividing the property through the court.

Conditions for obtaining an Italian passport

To submit documents for consideration by the commission on the granting of Italian citizenship, the applicant needs to:

• legally reside on the territory of the country for a certain number of years, specified in the migration legislation;
• show a stable income from legal sources and provide a comfortable living;
• confirm proficiency in the state language at a level of at least B1. If the applicant has graduated from a university in Italy or another educational institution or is an EU citizen - the above rule applies to him/her;
• have no criminal record and convictions in the home country and EU countries;
• not be a threat to the national security of the country.

Documents for applying for Italian citizenship

A foreign resident needs to prepare:

1. birth certificate;
2. a completed application form;
3. unexpired passport;
4. original passports of all family members, copies of passports of all family members notarized and translated into Italian;
5. marriage certificate, if there is a fact of marriage;
6. certificate of passing the language exam;
7. a document confirming that the applicant has no criminal record in Italy and the country of residence. Confirm that the applicant has no outstanding convictions and is not criminally prosecuted;
8. a document on the composition of the family;
9. a certificate confirming registration at the chosen place of residence;
10. copy of a valid basis for legal residence in Italy - residence permit, permanent residence permit;
11. tax returns for the last 3 years and their copies;
12. checks on payment of administrative fees and duties;
13. photographs;
14. copy of a valid residence permit;
15. checks on payment of state duty;
16. stamp seal.

When applying based on kinship, the applicant must document the Italian citizenship obtained by a parent or ancestor in a direct line up to the second knee.

When considering the application, the competent authorities may require additional documents from the applicant by the chosen method of legalization. Certificates, documents, declarations, certificates, and diplomas obtained outside Italy should be translated into Italian and notarized. 

Stages of obtaining Italian citizenship

To obtain a new passport, it is necessary to live in Italy for up to 10 years based on the issued status (it all depends on the method of legalization). To maintain the residence permit, you must live in the country for at least 183 days per year. For 5 years before applying for a passport, you can not leave the country for more than 10 months (total for the entire period).

What are the stages an applicant goes through:

1. Collection and execution of documents. The list may vary and be supplemented - it all depends on the situation and peculiarities of the migration path.
2. Submission of documents for obtaining a new status. The application must be filled out on the website of the Italian Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration. To the application, attach a scan of a copy of the required documents.
3. Handing over the original documents. After checking the application and scanning copies, the staff appoints a date for the visit of the applicant, provided that everything is done correctly. During the visit, the candidate transfers the documents to the municipality at the place of registration.
4. Document Analysis. The government department studies the case of a potential resident for a period of 3 months to 3 years. It all depends on the complexity of the case, the method of legalization, and the length of the queue.
5. Receipt of a new document. Provided that the issue is resolved in favor of the candidate, he will receive a notification. You can pick up the new passport in person or receive it by mail. 

Italian citizenship: refusal to grant

The competent authorities have the right to refuse to grant the applicant citizenship of the country and even cancel the new status after it has been formalized.

Why?

• the resident has concealed that he/she has an unexpunged criminal record in any EU country or home country;
• has provided untruthful/distorted information, forged documents;
• has low financial support, cannot support himself/herself for the period of residence in Italy;
• does not have permanent registration;
• violates the legislation of the country;
• poses a threat to the national security and interests of the country.

It is worth noting that the verdict not in favor of the candidate or the annulment of the citizenship obtained is not the final verdict. The applicant has the right to protect his/her interests and appeal the decision. This is a rather complex and time-consuming task that requires a thorough knowledge of the intricacies of Italian law. In this case, it is necessary to apply only to qualified specialists. 

Dual citizenship or a second passport?

The Russian Federation and Italy did not conclude additional agreements, in this case, each of the countries will recognize the resident exclusively as its citizen with its rights and obligations. A migrant does not need to renounce his native citizenship. It is important not to forget to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation about obtaining a new status in another country.

Friends, obtaining any status in a new country is a complicated and troublesome procedure with many variables. To simplify your task as much as possible, not to get rejected, and to save a lot of time and effort, contact the specialists of the migration agency GARANT.IN. We will accompany you at every stage, promptly inform you about any changes and requirements, and take care of all issues related to the correct registration, translation, apostilization, and submission of documentation. We offer effective turnkey solutions to make your path to your dream as short and comfortable as possible!