Long-term Residency
Naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign citizen becomes an Italian citizen through long-term residence in Italy.
EU Nationals
EU member state citizens are eligible for Italian citizenship after 4 years of legal residency in Italy.
Non-EU Nationals
NON-EU member state citizens are eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residency in Italy.
Special Cases
There are several circumstances where a foreigner resident in Italy may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship earlier than in usual cases.
![](https://becomeanitaliancitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Naturalization_European-Nationals-2-scaled-e1648139804658-726x1024.jpg)
European Union Nationals
In addition to meeting the minimum residency period of 4 years, EU member state nationals must also:
- Be duly registered in the comune of residence.
- Provide proof of sufficient financial assets - a value that can change depending on the individual's marital status, number of children, dependents, etc. A minimum annual income of €8,263.31 for an applicant with no dependents is required.
- Provide criminal record checks/background certificates issued by every authority where the applicant has resided.
- Have an equivalent fluency level in the Italian language of a minimum B1 level (as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), and this ability is demonstrated through certification issued by an authorized language institute.
NON-European Nationals
In addition to meeting the minimum residency period of 10 years, NON-EU member state nationals must also:
- Be duly registered in the comune of residence, and be in possession and within the parameters of their residency permits (permesso di soggiorno)
- Provide proof of sufficient financial assets - a value that can change depending on the individual's marital status, number of children, dependents, etc. A minimum annual income of €8,263.31 for an applicant with no dependents is required.
- Provide criminal record checks/background certificates issued by every authority where the applicant has resided.
- Have an equivalent fluency level in the Italian language of a minimum B1 level (as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), and this ability is demonstrated through certification issued by an authorized language institute.
![](https://becomeanitaliancitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Naturalization_-707x1024.jpg)
![](https://becomeanitaliancitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Special-Cases-717x1024.jpg)
Special Cases
There are several instances where an individual may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship sooner than in usual circumstances. These are in the cases of those:
- Of second degree Italian-born ancestors, eligible for Italian citizenship after 3 years of legal residency in Italy.
- Born in Italy to foreign national parents who have resided in Italy from childhood to adulthood (age 18).
- Refugees or stateless persons who have resided in Italy for a minimum of 5 years.