Have you ever dreamed of sipping espresso in a Roman piazza? Maybe you feel a deep connection to your family’s heritage and want to connect with your Italian relatives. For many, the path to that dream is through dual citizenship Italy.
Getting a second passport can open up many possibilities. It connects you to your roots and gives you new freedoms. This guide will walk you through what you need to know about claiming your dual citizenship Italy.
Table Of Contents:
- What is Italian Dual Citizenship?
- The Main Paths to Citizenship
- Why Pursue Dual Citizenship Italy?
- The Application Process: What to Expect
- Special Considerations for USA & Italy Dual Citizenship
- Conclusion
What is Italian Dual Citizenship?
Dual citizenship simply means you are a citizen of two countries at once. Italy recognizes dual Italian citizenship, which is great news for many people of Italian descent.
You do not have to give up your current citizenship to become an Italian citizen. This means you can hold an Italian passport and another passport, like an American one. As a dual citizen, you can enjoy the rights of citizens in both nations.
For example, a dual citizen with American citizenship and Italian citizenship can travel freely within the European Union.
The Italian government allows this because of its history of emigration. Millions of Italians moved abroad, and this policy helps their descendants reconnect with Italy. It’s a way to honor that global Italian heritage and welcome back the families of Italian ancestors.
The Main Paths to Citizenship
Most people who get Italian citizenship do so through their family tree. This is known as jure sanguinis, which is Latin for “by right of blood.” But this is not the only way to join the community of Italian citizens.
You might also qualify through marriage to an Italian citizen.
A less common route is through naturalization, which involves living in Italy for a certain number of years.
We will look at each of these paths in the Italian citizenship process.
Citizenship by Descent
This is the most popular way of obtaining Italian citizenship. If you have an Italian ancestor, you may already be a citizen by law. The key is proving an unbroken line of citizenship from your Italian ancestor to you.
The Italian citizenship law is generous, with no generational limit. It could be your parent, grandparent, or even great-grandparent. As long as the line was not broken by naturalization, you likely have a claim to dual citizenship.
A break usually happens if your Italian ancestor naturalized in another country. If they became a citizen of, say, the United States before their child was born, the line of Italian citizenship was cut. The timing of naturalization documents is everything in these citizenship applications.
The Italian Ancestor Who Started It All
Your journey begins with identifying the last ancestor born in Italy. This is your “avo,” the person who establishes your Italian ancestry. You’ll need to gather their supporting documents, including their Italian birth certificate and records from the country they moved to.
You must prove they were still an Italian citizen when their child was born. This is often the most difficult part of the citizenship process. You will need to find their naturalization records or get an official statement confirming they never naturalized.
The “1948 Rule” You Need to Know
There is an important rule related to female ancestors. Before January 1, 1948, women could not pass on Italian citizenship to their children. Legal amendments have since changed this, but the change was not retroactive through administrative channels.
If your Italian lineage runs through a woman, you need to look at the birthdate of her child. If her child was born before 1948, your path is through the Italian courts. If the child was born on or after January 1, 1948, you can apply through an Italian consulate.
Many people have successfully challenged this rule in court. This “1948 case” has become a very common way to claim citizenship for those of Italian descent. It requires legal help but opens the door for many applicants who otherwise would not qualify.
Citizenship by Marriage
Marrying an Italian citizen can also be a path to becoming a dual citizen. But it is not an automatic process after the wedding. There are specific requirements you must meet for your citizenship application.
You must be married for a certain period of time. If you live in Italy, the requirement is two years. If you live outside of Italy, you must be married for three years before you can apply.
These timelines are cut in half if you have a minor child together. You will also need to prove you can speak Italian by passing a language test. The applicant must show proficiency at the B1 level, demonstrating a real connection to the country and culture.
Citizenship by Naturalization
If you do not have Italian ancestry or an Italian spouse, you might qualify by living in Italy. This is a much longer road to Italian dual citizenship. It is known as naturalization through residency, and it involves establishing deep roots in the country.
Most non-EU citizens need to legally reside in Italy for 10 years with a permanent resident card. For citizens of European Union countries, this period is shorter, at four years. There are a few other exceptions for people born in Italy or who have worked for the Italian state.
During this time, you must maintain your residency, have a clean criminal record, and file Italian taxes. You will need to show that you have sufficient income and have integrated into Italian society. This path requires a serious, long-term commitment to living in Italy and becoming part of the community.
Why Pursue Dual Citizenship Italy?
Holding an Italian passport comes with some amazing citizenship benefits. It is more than just a connection to your heritage. It opens doors personally and professionally for any Italian dual citizen.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is freedom of movement. As an Italian citizen, you are also a citizen of the European Union. This gives you the right to live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU member countries without a visa.
This is a huge benefit for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and retirees, expanding your employment opportunities across a continent. You can also access Italy’s public healthcare and education systems. University tuition is often much lower for EU citizens.
Here is a quick look at the advantages of getting an Italian passport:
- Right to live and work in any EU country.
- Travel visa-free to many countries worldwide.
- Access to high-quality healthcare in Italy.
- Affordable higher education opportunities.
- The ability to pass citizenship on to your minor child.
- An easier process for buying property in Italy.
- The right to vote in Italian elections from abroad.
These benefits make the long application process worth it for many. It is an investment in your family’s future and your personal freedom.
The Application Process: What to Expect
The journey to Italian citizenship takes patience and organization. The exact steps can vary a bit depending on your local Italian consulate. But the general dual citizenship process is the same for most people applying through descent.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Before you do anything else, you must confirm you have a valid claim. Trace your family line back to your Italian-born ancestor. Many firms offer a free eligibility assessment to see if you qualify for jure sanguinis.
This initial eligibility assessment is the research phase. You may need to speak with Italian relatives and hunt for old papers. This initial work can save you a lot of time and money later in the dual citizenship process.
Step 2: Gather All Necessary Documents
This is often the most time-consuming part of obtaining Italian dual citizenship. You need official, certified copies of vital records for everyone in your direct line. This starts with your ancestor in Italy and ends with you, and these are the primary supporting documents for your claim.
You will need to collect various birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. Divorce decrees are also required if applicable. Remember that specific requirements apply for which versions of these documents are acceptable, so check with your consulate.
| Document Type | Who It’s For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificates | Everyone in the direct line | Must be the long-form or full copy from the vital records office. |
| Marriage Certificates | Everyone in the line who got married | Include all marriages, even if divorced, along with divorce decrees. |
| Death Certificate | Everyone in the line who is deceased | Confirms names, dates, and other vital information. |
| Naturalization Records | Italian Ancestor | Crucial for proving the line of citizenship was not broken before the next person’s birth. |
You will need to get these documents from both Italy and your home country. You might need to work with an Italian citizenship service that specializes in finding Italian records. An experienced citizenship service or assistance team can make this step much smoother, as they know exactly which documents apply.
Step 3: Apostilles and Translations
Once you have your non-Italian documents, they need to be prepared for submission to the Italian government. Each official document must have an apostille. An apostille is a form of international certification that validates the document for use in other countries.
After getting the apostille, all of your English documents must be translated into Italian. The translation must be done by a certified translator. Some consulates keep a list of approved translators, and using one is highly recommended.
This step makes your documents legally recognized in Italy. Do not skip this. Any mistakes with apostilles or translations can cause major delays or even rejection of your citizenship application.
Step 4: Book Your Consulate Appointment
You must apply at the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over where you live. Appointment wait times can be very long. In some places, it can take years to get an appointment to submit your citizenship form.
Most consulates use an online booking system, and slots are extremely limited. These appointments are released at specific times and get taken almost instantly. You have to be persistent and check the system frequently.
Because of these long waits, it’s a good idea to start gathering your documents well before you get an appointment. An Italian dual citizenship service can help with this step. You want to have everything ready to go when your day finally comes.
Step 5: Attend Your Appointment
This is your big day at the Italian consulate. You will bring your entire packet of original documents, apostilles, and translations. You will also bring your application forms, passport photos, and identification.
A consular officer will review all your paperwork. They will check for accuracy and consistency across all birth certificates and other records. They may ask you a few questions about your family and your Italian ancestry.
If everything is in order, they will accept your application. You will pay the application fee at this time. Then, the waiting begins again as your file is processed.
Step 6: The Final Wait
After your appointment, your application is sent for processing. The legal time limit for processing is 24 months for most citizenship applications submitted after 2020. Sometimes it’s faster, but you should be prepared to wait the full two years.
You can sometimes track your application’s status online. When it is approved, the consulate will contact you. They will ask you to register as an Italian citizen living abroad, a process called AIRE registration.
Once you are registered, you can finally apply for your Italian passport. This is the last step in your long journey. You’ll soon be holding that burgundy passport in your hands and enjoying all the citizenship benefits that come with it.
Special Considerations for USA & Italy Dual Citizenship
For those pursuing a United States-Italy dual citizenship, there are a few extra points to consider. The United States government recognizes that a U.S. citizen may also be a citizen of another country. You will not lose your American citizenship by becoming an Italian citizen.
One important topic is taxes. U.S. citizens are required to file a tax return with the IRS each year, regardless of where they live. This obligation continues even after you become a dual citizen of Italy, so you must stay compliant with U.S. tax law.
Navigating the requirements for US-Italy dual citizenship can feel complex, but the relationship between the two countries is strong. Many people successfully hold both passports. This dual citizenship offers incredible freedom and opportunity for travel and residency.
Conclusion
Claiming your dual citizenship Italy is a journey of discovery. It connects you to your past and opens up your future. The Italian citizenship process requires patience, attention to detail, and a lot of paperwork.
Whether you qualify through your ancestors or through marriage, the rewards are immense. You gain the freedom to explore the European Union and a deeper tie to a rich culture. Pursuing dual citizenship Italy can truly change your life and the lives of your children for years to come.
Ready to explore your options? Get started with our free tailored guide and discover the right citizenship path for you.
