With the change in Italian Citizenship Law, which officially took effect on May 24, 2025 and created more restrictive criteria for the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, many are considering a path to Italian citizenship through residence. In fact, the law allows for those with an Italian parent or grandparent to apply for Italian citizenship after a 2-year residence in Italy. This article will outline everything you need to know to complete the process, from acquiring a visa to submitting your application.
Jure Sanguinis Eligibility Changes
The Italian Council of Ministers issued a decree law (decreto-legge), also known as the Tajani Decree, on March 28, 2025, outlining new eligibility criteria concerning the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). After a review by the Italian Parliament, the decree was signed by the President of the Republic and converted into law (Law No. 74/2025) on May 24, 2025, implementing new guidelines for citizenship by descent as well as additional provisions related to Italian citizenship. Now, if you were born abroad before or after the law’s date of enactment, you may be recognized as an Italian citizen only if you have a parent or grandparent who holds exclusively Italian citizenship or who held exclusively Italian citizenship at the time of their death. Additionally, you may be recognized if you have a parent or adoptive parent who resided in Italy for two consecutive years following their acquisition of Italian citizenship and before your date of birth or adoption. The law stipulates that citizenship applications submitted to the consulate or Italian municipality, or filed in court before 11:59 PM Rome Time on March 27, 2025 will be subject to the previous eligibility rules. This is also the case for those who were notified of the confirmation of their appointment booked with the consulate before 11:59 PM Rome Time on March 27, 2025.
Since the guidelines are more restrictive than they were previously, many are wondering what other options or pathways they have toward Italian citizenship. Law No. 74/2025 also amended the citizenship by residency criteria, specifying that an individual with an Italian parent or grandparent can apply for Italian citizenship after residing in Italy for 2 years, reduced from 3 years. This provision is not limited to ancestors who never acquired foreign citizenship, so if you do not qualify for Italian citizenship by descent through a parent or grandparent because your ancestor naturalized, you may still qualify for citizenship by residency with this reduced residence time period.
Citizenship by Residency
Italian citizenship by residency is under the category of naturalization, where an individual is able to apply for citizenship after a period of legal residence in Italy. Generally, the requirement for non-EU citizens is 10 years of legal residency in Italy. However, if you have a parent or grandparent born in Italy, you can qualify for a reduced period of required residency. This requires establishing legal residence in the municipality (comune) where you are living, and maintaining an uninterrupted 2 year residence in Italy.
Visa and Residence Permit
To stay in Italy longer than the 90 days permitted for non-EU citizens, you will need a visa to enter the country and a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) to legally reside. Long-stay visas include the Elective Residence Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Investor Visa or Student Visa.
The Elective Residence Visa is applicable for those with high self-sustaining income and financial assets, which is why it’s often called the Retirement Visa. It also requires that the individual is able to support themselves financially without engaging in gainful employment. The application requires submitting proof of your economic resources and bank statements, generally needing to meet a threshold of €31,000 annually for a single applicant, which increases if you were to bring your spouse and children. Additionally, the applicant needs to have already secured lodging in Italy and health insurance. The visa is valid for 1 year and is renewable if all requirements continue to be met.
The Investor Visa, or Italian Golden Visa, is offered to those who make a significant financial investment in Italy. Qualifying investments include a €500,000 purchase of Italian company shares (or €250,000 if investing in innovative start-ups), a €1 million donation to a cultural or philanthropic project, or a €2 million purchase of Italian government bonds. The visa’s validity is 2 years and is renewable if you maintain the investment throughout the validity period.
Most recently, the Italian government introduced the Digital Nomad Visa in 2024, allowing those who perform highly skilled work as a freelancer or remote worker to apply for a 1-year, renewable visa. Applicants must provide proof of income over three times the minimum level required for exemption from healthcare participation expenses (roughly €25,000 per year). In addition, lodging will need to be secured in Italy, as well as health insurance covering the duration of the visa. Further documentation related to the work experience and employment contracts may also be required.
Obtaining a Student Visa can be a great way to establish legal residence in Italy, by enrolling in a language school or other university program. Generally, the visa will be valid for the time period dictated by the course dates. Additionally, there may be the possibility of converting a student residence permit into a work residence permit if certain conditions are met. The requirements to apply for a student visa can vary depending on your local consulate, but in general, it’s necessary to show a certificate of enrollment or letter from the university, proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy, and proof of lodging and health insurance.
The visa and residence permit are a two-step process, with the visa acting as the entry document which you are able to convert into a residence permit upon arriving to Italy, allowing you to stay in Italy for the duration set by the visa. First, you would need to apply for the visa at your local Italian consulate abroad, and then once in Italy, submit the application for the corresponding residence permit, for example a study permit would be a permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio. This application for the residence permit is presented at the local post office, where you will be scheduled for an appointment at the local police headquarters (questura) to complete the application process.
Renting or Buying a Property
To reside in Italy, you will need accommodations, whether it be a rental property or purchasing a home. Even as a non-EU citizen, you are still allowed to purchase real estate in Italy, even without being a resident. However, simply owning a property in Italy does not automatically grant legal residency or allow you to stay longer than the 90 days permitted for non-EU citizens.
When considering location and region of Italy, rentals in major cities like Rome, Florence and Milan are typically more expensive, ranging between €700 to €1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment, while in a small to medium-sized city, one could range between €500 and €900. These trends are similar in real estate purchases, where metropolitan areas and regions in the north of Italy tend to have higher price points than in the south of Italy and the more rural areas.
Rental contracts in Italy are divided into a few categories, from short-term tourist rentals to long-term contracts. Long-term contracts would be most suitable for those establishing residence in Italy for the purposes of naturalization. You might commonly find a 4+4 or 3+2, meaning the initial term of the contract is 4 years and then is renewable for 4 more years (or 3 years, renewable for 2).
To complete the rental or purchase process, you will need a codice fiscale, or Italian tax code. Despite its name, having a tax code does not imply tax duty but it is similar to a social security number in the US. However, residing in Italy for more than 183 days does make you a tax resident and would subject you to pay Italian taxes. The tax code will also be used for many other functions of Italian residency, such as opening a bank account, obtaining an Italian phone number, and accessing the national healthcare system. It can either be requested abroad at your Italian consulate or in Italy at an Italian Revenue Agency Office (Agenzia delle Entrate).
To secure your ideal accommodation in Italy, assistance from a professional based in Italy is advised. They can assist with searching for an apartment or property, market analysis and due diligence, and act as your legal representative when negotiating and finalizing the purchase or rental contract.
Language Requirement
To apply for citizenship by residency, you will be required to provide a certificate proving your knowledge of the Italian language at the B1 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This certificate is obtained by passing a test given by one of the authorized bodies recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) including:
- University of Foreigners of Siena
- University of Foreigners of Perugia
- Roma Tre University
- Dante Alighieri Society
This level of Italian language comprehension can be divided into the categories of understanding, speaking, and writing, and in summary, covers the following scenarios:
- You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
- You can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.
- You can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
- You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Depending on your learning style, and your starting level of Italian, usually a mix of classroom study and immersion strategies are suggested to reach the B1 level, whether in private lessons or in a group classroom setting.
ICA provides tailored language classes suited to those preparing for the B1 language test for Italian citizenship. Learn one-on-one with our certified teachers, or in a group with your friends, family, or partner!
How to Apply for Citizenship
After the 2-year period of residence, it’s time to submit your application for Italian citizenship. Required documents will include your identity documents like passport and birth certificate. You will also need to submit the vital records pertaining to your Italian lineage (birth, marriage, death, and death, if applicable), legalized with an apostille and translated into Italian. Lastly, US criminal background checks from each state where you have lived and a federal (FBI) background check certificate will be required.
The application is submitted to the Italian Ministry of the Interior, along with a €250.00 fee. Processing times are generally between 24 and 36 months, and once your application has been approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony to take the “oath of allegiance”.
Conclusion
If you are ineligible to apply for Italian citizenship by descent according to the change in citizenship law (Law No. 74/2025), you may still have a path to Italian citizenship through a reduced residency in Italy of only 2 years for those with an Italian parent or grandparent. For assistance in relocating to Italy, learning the Italian language, and applying for Italian citizenship, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
