Are you looking into applying for Italian citizenship by descent? Are you wondering about the main pathways towards becoming an Italian citizen? If this is the case, you might also be asking yourself what obligations there are to holding dual citizenship. This article will outline a few specific recommendations that you need to follow when you hold dual citizenship; it will also provide you with an overview of the benefits of Italian citizenship and it will dispel some of the myths that are linked to having a dual passport.
First of all, how can you obtain Italian citizenship?
You can apply for Italian citizenship by descent if you have an Italian ancestor who was still alive on March 17, 1861 (which is when Italy was unified as a nation) or who was born after that date. Your ancestor must not have naturalized, or must have become a U.S. citizen after the birth of the child who was born in the U.S and after June 14, 1912. If there is a woman in your Italian lineage who was born in Italy and gave birth to her child who was born outside Italy prior to January 1, 1948, you may not be able to file your application at an Italian consulate or municipality. However, you might be able to pursue Italian citizenship via the court system and file a 1948 case. For more information about the eligibility requirements to apply for Italian citizenship by descent please click here.
Individuals who are married to Italian citizens can apply for citizenship by marriage after 3 years from the date of marriage or civil union if the couple reside abroad, or after 2 if the couple reside in Italy. If the couple has minor children the waiting time is halved. For more information about Italian citizenship by marriage click here.
Finally, individuals who have resided in Italy for 10 years can apply for citizenship by residency. However, for EU citizens residing in Italy the period of residency required is 4 years only. There are also cases in which the period of residency required is shorter, such as for individuals who have Italian ancestry.
For more information about Italian citizenship by residency click here.
Are there any obligations you must fulfill in order to maintain your dual citizenship status?
When enquiring about applying for dual citizenship many people wonder: does Italian citizenship come with any obligations, such as having to pay taxes or enrolling in the military?
In Italy, you do not need to pay taxes simply by virtue of being an Italian citizen as Italy taxes its residents rather than its citizens. In other words, you are NOT required to pay taxes in Italy if you do not reside there. You are required to pay taxes only when you formally reside in the country for more than 183 days in a year and if you earn income in the country. However, if you plan on moving to Italy permanently it is advisable to contact an accountant or tax specialist who can provide information regarding tax obligations specifically for U.S. citizens residing in Italy.
As for military service, Italy abolished conscription on January 1, 2005, as established by law n.226 of August 23, 2004. Therefore, if you become an Italian citizen you will not be required to serve in the military, regardless of your age.
Nevertheless, once you are granted Italian citizenship there are a number of specific recommendations that you need to follow. If you reside abroad you need to register with the AIRE, which enables you to vote in Italian and European elections. The AIRE is an acronym which stands for Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero (Registry of Italian Citizens Residing Abroad). The AIRE was launched in 1988 and is an extension of the records system which helps the Italian government keep track of the vital records of Italian citizens living outside Italy.
Being registered with the AIRE is a requirement in order to have access to a number of consular services, such as requesting a new Italian passport or renewing one, registering your children’s birth certificates (in order for them to be recognized as Italian citizens) and other important vital records. Please note that if you register with the AIRE and then relocate to Italy, you will be required to register as a resident in an Italian municipality.
Finally, as an Italian citizen, it is your civil duty to respect the laws in the country.
It is important to keep in mind that your Italian citizenship does not expire and will not be revoked if you do not follow the above-mentioned recommendations. On the other hand, you will need to renew your Italian passport every 10 years through the Italian consulate (if you reside outside Italy) or through the “Questura” if you reside in Italy.
What are the advantages of becoming an Italian citizen?
There are a number of advantages to holding Italian citizenship. Firstly, an Italian passport allows its holders to enter a number of countries without applying for a visa in advance. The 2020 Henley Passport Index ranked Italy’s passport fourth, ranking higher than the UK and US passport. Aside from the ability to travel within the European Union without a visa, being an Italian citizen, and consequently an EU citizen, enables you to work, study or live in any EU member state without any time restrictions. Many of the world’s best universities are located in Europe, and they offer thousands of study programs in English. Secondly, the ability to study in the European Union also extends to the ability to work in any EU member state. Thirdly, if you apply for Italian citizenship by descent and you have minor children, they will automatically become Italian citizens. This also applies to future generations provided that the individual with Italian citizenship registers his/her children’s birth certificates. If you are married to an Italian citizen, you can live in Italy as well as in any European country provided that you apply for a residency permit for spouses of EU citizens. Furthermore, one of the most important benefits of acquiring Italian citizenship is the ability to access Italy’s low-cost, high-quality universal health care service. In other words, Italy has a public-based health care system that is supported by tax income, and health expenses are on average much lower compared to other states, especially compared to the U.S. If you are an Italian citizen and you reside in Italy, you can apply to be assigned to a general practitioner through the local health authority, and you will receive a tessera sanitaria (“health card”), which will allow you to access medical care on a national level. On the other hand, if you want to apply for Italian citizenship but you wish to live in another EU member state, you can apply for a European Health Insurance Card, which will cover medical expenses in other EU countries.
Finally, one of the advantages of applying for Italian citizenship by descent is that you do not need to speak Italian to be recognised as an Italian citizen because from the Italian government’s perspective you are an Italian citizen by birth-right and you are only formally applying for the recognition of your right to citizenship. On the other hand, if you are applying for Italian citizenship by marriage or by residency you need to speak Italian and pass a B1 language test, which according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages is intermediate level.
In conclusion, as we have seen, there are a few obligations to becoming an Italian citizen and many benefits to holding an Italian passport. If you need further information or you would like a free eligibility assessment, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
