One of the main reasons foreigners move to Italy is to obtain citizenship. Italy is one of the most appealing European countries to move to thanks to good employment possibilities coming to Europe for this purpose, but also because of the numerous investment opportunities this country offers.
No matter the reason why one decides to immigrate to Italy, citizenship can be acquired after a specific period of time. The only question most people ask remains ‘How long does it take to get Italian citizenship?’. The answer is that it depends on the chosen immigration route.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Italy explain how long it takes to obtain Italian citizenship based on the way one enters the country.
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Those wondering how long it takes to acquire an Italian passport should first understand that there are several ways in which citizenship can be obtained. These are:
If you are interested in immigration in Italy and need support, our lawyers can guide you. They can also answer any question related to how long it takes to obtain citizenship in Italy.
Foreign citizens from non-EU countries can relocate to Italy by applying for a temporary or permanent residence permit. EU citizens do not need to obtain such a visa in order to immigrate to Italy. Even if this not one of the fastest routes to obtaining Italian citizenship, it is definitely one of the most secure.
In order answer the question on how long it takes to obtain Italian citizenship by means of residence, we can say that for non-EU citizens the minimum period of living in Italy is established at 10 years, while for EU citizens the minimum period is of 4 years.
The same timeframe must be complied with when coming to Italy based on an employment visa.
Our immigration lawyers in Italy can help those who want to obtain residence permits with the purpose of obtaining Italian citizenship.
A foreign citizen who has Italian parents or grandparents who have not lost Italian citizenship can apply themselves for an Italian passport as soon as they can prove their ties with the Italian citizens. When it comes to foreign citizens with descendants who have lost Italian citizenship, these must live in Italy based on a residence permit for at least 3 years.
Those who have married Italian citizens and want to know how long it takes to obtain Italian citizenship for themselves, the answer is that it depends on where the marriage was concluded. For those who have married an Italian citizen in Italy, the waiting period is 2 years. During this time, the applicant must have lived in Italy with an Italian spouse.
For those registering their marriage with an Italian citizen abroad, the waiting period to apply for Italian citizenship is 3 years.
Our immigration lawyers can explain the documents you need to provide when applying for citizenship in Italy.
Non-EU citizens disposing of at least 500,000 euros can apply for citizenship by investment through which residence can be obtained within 6 months. Then, the route to Italian citizenship will take the usual 10 years.
If you are considering Italy as your future home country, you are making the right decision considering that:
There are various ways through which an individual can become an Italian national and these are the main ones:
• by blood right (descent): a child born to an Italian parent, mother or father, is also an Italian national; before 1948, it was not possible for an Italian mother to transfer citizenship to her child; furthermore, a child born in Italy of stateless or unknown parents is also automatically Italian;
• by adoption: the right to nationality is extended to any child who was adopted by an Italian citizen (even for those adopted abroad, if rendered valid in Italy by means of an order from the Juvenile Court);
• by marriage to an Italian national: it can only be denied to those having a serious criminal record (either outside of Italy or on its territory) or to those considered to be a threat to the public safety and national security; no language tests are required for the future spouse to pass, but it is necessary that the marriage lasts through the process of application for Italian nationality;
• by residency: Italian nationality can be granted to non-EU citizens who have been legally residing in Italy for ten years; for EU citizens it can be awarded (under certain conditions) after only four years.
What is more, it is no longer required to choose between your parents’ nationality and Italian, because the Italian state now accepts dual nationality (“doppi doppia cittadinanza”).
Our lawyers in Italy can be of help in providing you with further details on how to obtain Italian nationality and on other legal issues that you may face.
If you wish to acquire Italian nationality, you have to apply to the Minister of the Interior (“Ministro degli Interni”) by means of the commune’s mayor from the area you live or abroad, through the local Italian consulate. A tax must be paid and you must also swear loyalty to the Italian state and future observance of Italian constitution and laws. Depending on the type of application, you will have to submit some documents such as:
For complete information on how long it takes to obtain Italian citizenship, please contact our immigration lawyers.