⚠️ 2025 Reform — DL 36/2025: Italy's iure sanguinis citizenship route has been significantly restricted. From 2025, only grandchildren of Italian citizens (2nd generation) may apply via iure sanguinis. Great-grandchildren and beyond can no longer use this route for new applications. Transitional protections apply for those already on consular waiting lists.

The Four Routes to Italian Citizenship

Italy's citizenship law (Law 91/1992) recognises four distinct pathways. Each has different eligibility requirements, document burdens, and timelines. Choosing the right route — and applying correctly the first time — is critical to avoiding multi-year delays.

🇮🇹 Path 1: Iure Sanguinis

Descent from Italian citizen. Maximum 2 generations post-2025 reform. No Italian residency required.

💍 Path 2: By Marriage

Married to Italian citizen. 2 years Italian residency or 3 years abroad. B1 Italian required since 2021.

📋 Path 3: Naturalisation

10 years legal residency (non-EU), 4 years (EU), 5 years (stateless/refugees). B1 Italian + income threshold.

⚖️ Path 4: Judicial Route

Art. 19 D.Lgs 150/2011. Filed at Tribunale. Fastest route (6–18 months). Used for pre-1948 maternal line cases.

Step-by-Step: The Complete Process

1
Identify your eligibility path
Italy offers four main routes: Iure Sanguinis (descent), Marriage (Art. 5 L.91/1992), Administrative Naturalisation (Art. 9 L.91/1992), and Judicial (Art. 19 D.Lgs 150/2011). The right path depends on your family history, residency status, and available documentation. Note: DL 36/2025 has restricted iure sanguinis to grandchildren only — great-grandchildren and beyond must use other routes.
💡 Tip: If you are unsure which path applies to you, a 30-minute consultation with our team will identify your route and realistic timeline.
2
Gather vital records — birth, marriage, death certificates
For iure sanguinis: you need every certificate in the unbroken chain from your Italian ancestor to you (birth, marriage, death of each person). For naturalisation: your own birth certificate and any marriage certificate. All foreign documents must be apostilled (Hague Convention 1961) and officially translated into Italian by a sworn translator. Allow 2–6 months for US, UK, Australian, and South American archives.
💡 Tip: US vital records: contact county clerks, state vital records offices, and for older records the Family History Library (FamilySearch). Italian commune records (anagrafe): contact the specific comune directly or use an Italian genealogist.
3
Register with AIRE (if residing outside Italy) or establish Italian residency
For iure sanguinis applications filed abroad: you apply at the Italian consulate in your country of residence — no Italian residency required. For naturalisation (Art. 9): you must have continuous legal residency in Italy for 10 years (non-EU), 4 years (EU citizens), or 5 years (stateless/refugees). Residency is counted from the date of your first valid permesso di soggiorno.
4
Pass the B1 Italian language test (marriage and naturalisation only)
Since 2021, applicants for citizenship by marriage (Art. 5) and administrative naturalisation (Art. 9) must prove B1-level Italian (CEFR). Accepted certifications: PLIDA (Dante Alighieri), CILS (Università per Stranieri di Siena), CELI (Università per Stranieri di Perugia), or IT (Trinity College London). Iure sanguinis applicants are exempt from this requirement.
💡 Tip: Preparation time: most candidates with basic exposure to Italian reach B1 in 3–6 months of structured study. Book the exam at least 60 days in advance — exam slots fill quickly.
5
Compile the complete application dossier
The exact document list depends on your route. For iure sanguinis at the consulate: completed application form, original apostilled vital records with certified Italian translations, your valid passport, proof of no criminal record (apostilled), €300 application fee (varies by consulate). For naturalisation via the Interior Ministry portal: upload everything to the Ministero dell'Interno online platform — paper applications are no longer accepted for most cases.
6
Submit the application and track progress
Consulate applications: book your appointment via Prenot@mi (the Italian consulate booking system). Waiting times at major consulates (Buenos Aires, New York, São Paulo) can be 2–4 years due to high demand. Ministerial naturalisation (Art. 9): submitted online via the Interior Ministry portal, with a statutory 730-day response deadline. The judicial route (Art. 19 D.Lgs 150/2011) is filed at the Tribunale and is typically resolved in 6–18 months — the fastest route if eligible.
💡 Tip: Applicants in South America should register on the consulate waiting list as early as possible — some lists opened in 2024 are already scheduling for 2027.
7
Take the oath of allegiance (giuramento)
Once your application is approved, you are summoned to take the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic ('Giuro di essere fedele alla Repubblica Italiana...'). For consular applications this is done at the consulate. For ministerial naturalisation it is done at your Italian comune within 6 months of receiving the decree — failure to take the oath within the deadline voids the approval.
8
Apply for your Italian passport (passaporto italiano)
After the oath, register as a citizen with your Italian comune (or AIRE if residing abroad). Then apply for your Italian passport at any Questura or, if abroad, at the Italian consulate. Processing time: 4–8 weeks in Italy, 3–6 months at consulates. The Italian passport (Passaporto Italiano) gives visa-free access to 188 countries and full EU rights including the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU.

Document Checklist by Route

Iure Sanguinis (consulate application)

  • Completed application form (from consulate)
  • Your birth certificate — apostilled + Italian translation
  • Birth, marriage, and death certificates for each person in the chain (apostilled + translated)
  • Proof ancestor never renounced Italian citizenship before child's birth
  • Valid passport (copy)
  • Criminal record certificate — apostilled
  • Application fee (~€300)

Naturalisation Art. 9 — Additional Requirements

  • Proof of continuous legal residency (permesso di soggiorno history)
  • B1 Italian language certificate
  • Income documentation: minimum €8,263/year
  • Tax returns for last 3 years
  • Certificate of civil status (stato di famiglia)

Costs Overview (2026)

Government fees: €300–€350 application fee. Document procurement: €500–€3,000. Certified translations: €30–€60 per document. B1 Italian exam: €120–€200. Legal assistance: €2,000–€8,000 for a full iure sanguinis case. Judicial route: €3,000–€10,000 (includes court fees).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DL 36/2025 affect applications already in progress?
DL 36/2025 (converted into law in 2025) restricts new iure sanguinis applications to a maximum of 2 generations (grandchildren of Italian citizens). However, transitional provisions protect applications already registered on consular waiting lists before the decree's entry into force. If you were already on a waiting list, your application proceeds under the old rules.
Can I keep my existing citizenship when I become Italian?
Italy permits dual (and multiple) citizenship. Italy does not require you to renounce your current nationality. However, your home country may not permit dual citizenship — check your own national law. The USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries allow dual citizenship with Italy.
What is the pre-1948 maternal line issue?
Before 1948, Italian women could not transmit citizenship to children born abroad (Italy did not recognise women's equal right to transmit nationality until the Constitution). Courts have allowed 'judicial route' applications (Art. 19 D.Lgs 150/2011) at the Tribunale to claim citizenship through a pre-1948 maternal line — but this route was also affected by DL 36/2025. Cases filed before DL 36/2025 may continue under transitional rules.
How long does iure sanguinis take in 2026?
Realistic timelines vary widely: Buenos Aires and São Paulo consulates: 3–5 years. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles: 2–4 years. European consulates: 12–24 months. Judicial route (Tribunale): 6–18 months. Administrative naturalisation (Art. 9, 10-year residency): 2–3 years from application. Our team can assess which route gives you the fastest outcome.