Special Cases
Special Cases
When paths to citizenship through Jure Sanguinis, Jure Matrimonii or Naturalization are not open, there are Special Cases in which one may be applicable.
If you lost your Italian citizenship (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) and wish to reclaim it, you may have the opportunity to do so through special application known as ‘Reacquisition'.
Some of what is now Austria & Hungary once belonged to the Italian state (or vice versa). Therefore applicants with ancestors from this area must thoroughly have their eligibility check to ensure that they have the right to Italian citizenship.
Italian East Africa altered the horn of Africa's territorial landscape and, as a consequence, may entitle citizens from this area during the colonial period the right to request Italian citizenship.
Reacquisition
There are several circumstances by which, under Italian law, an Italian Citizen who lost their citizenship may reacquire it.
These requests are possible under the following circumstances:
- The person automatically lost their Italian citizenship when they naturalized as a citizen of another country before August 16th, 1992.
- The person lost their Italian citizenship due to being a minor at the time they naturalized (please note the age of maturity changed on March 10th, 1975 - a person was considered a minor under Italian Law until 21 years of age until 10.03.1975; after this date, the age of majority was dropped to 18).
- The process of reacquisition requires that the applicant first file an official Declaration of Intention with the local Italian Consulate (or with the comune in Italy, if beginning the process directly in the Italian State) and then formally establish residency in Italy, followed by the submission of the application to reacquire Italian Citizenship with the Comune.