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.
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.
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.