How to obtain Italian citizenship? A 2026 updated legal guide on ancestry, marriage, residency, birth, investment, and citizenship application processes.

Entrance

Italian citizenship is one of the most sought-after types of citizenship by foreigners due to the advantages of being a European Union citizen, such as freedom of movement, work, residence, education, and commercial activity. For Turkish citizens in particular, Italian citizenship has significant legal and practical implications for those wishing to live, study, establish a company, invest in real estate, or move freely within the European Union.

Italian citizenship can be acquired through various means, primarily including lineage, marriage, long-term legal residency, birth in Italy, adoption, exceptional service, or state benefit . However, each type of application has different requirements, application authorities, necessary documents, and evaluation criteria. Therefore, the answer to the question "How to obtain Italian citizenship?" varies depending on the applicant's family history, actual ties to Italy, residency status, marital status, criminal record, income level, and the date of application.

The main framework of Italian citizenship law is based on Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992. However, Decree Law No. 36/2025, which came into force in 2025, and Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, which codified this regulation, have introduced significant changes, particularly for individuals born abroad who claim citizenship based on Italian ancestry. This law came into effect on May 24, 2025.

Legal Basis of Italian Citizenship

The Italian citizenship system is traditionally ius sanguinis, or blood relation. According to this principle, citizenship is generally passed from parent to child. However, in current law, this principle is not applied absolutely and without limit. Particularly for individuals born abroad who also hold another citizenship, the 2025 reform introduced limitations requiring a genuine, current, and tangible connection to Italy.

Therefore, the first step in applying for Italian citizenship is to correctly determine the legal basis on which the application is based. A person may be of Italian descent; however, it is possible for citizenship to have been lost in the lineage, for there to be a problem with birth before 1948 due to the female line, for an ancestor to have acquired citizenship of another country, or for the applicant to be subject to generational restrictions due to the new 2025 regulations. Similarly, a person may be married to an Italian citizen; however, factors such as the duration of the marriage, shared children, language certificates, criminal record, and whether the marriage is still ongoing are also considered.

Therefore, applying for Italian citizenship is not simply a matter of collecting documents. Before applying, one must consider their legal status, the application process, the potential risks of rejection, and the possibilities for administrative or judicial appeals.

Italian Citizenship by Ancestry

The most well-known way to obtain Italian citizenship through bloodline, or "iure sanguinis" application. In this type of application, the applicant claims citizenship rights through their Italian parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. In the past, applications tracing further back in time were also common. However, following the 2025 reform, the scope for applications has been significantly narrowed for individuals born abroad and holding another citizenship.

According to current regulations, individuals born abroad and holding another nationality are not automatically considered Italian citizens. Exceptions include cases where the applicant's Italian parent was born in Italy, the Italian parent born abroad resided continuously in Italy for at least two years prior to the child's birth or adoption, or the applicant has an Italian-born grandparent who is an Italian citizen.

With the 2025 amendment, the criterion of "genuine connection to Italy" has become more pronounced for individuals of Italian descent born abroad. Italian authorities no longer consider it sufficient for a very distant ancestor to be Italian; they now require evidence of birth in Italy, residence in Italy, or a direct parental/grandparental connection within the applicant's immediate family. This has necessitated a reassessment of the application strategy, particularly for individuals of Italian descent living in countries such as South America, North America, the UK, Australia, and Turkey.

One of the most important aspects to consider in lineage claims is proving whether there is a break in the chain of citizenship. For example, if an Italian ancestor voluntarily acquired citizenship of another country before August 16, 1992, they may have lost their Italian citizenship under the old legal system. This loss can, in some cases, prevent the descendant from acquiring citizenship. Furthermore, if the lineage is traced through a woman, whether the child was born before or after January 1, 1948, is also important. In cases involving pre-1948 female lineage claims, the process often involves a court case in Italy, rather than an administrative application.

A New Era in Paternity Applications After the 2025 Reforms

Law No. 74, dated May 23, 2025, and Regulation No. 36/2025, have been enacted, making the transfer of Italian citizenship to persons born abroad more restricted. According to official statements, the new regulation has not completely abolished the ius sanguinis principle; however, it has limited its application to the condition of the existence of a current and effective connection with Italy.

Under the new system, there are exceptional circumstances where the old rules may apply to files submitted or for which an appointment has been scheduled with the relevant authority by March 27, 2025. Similarly, citizenship determination cases brought before the courts by March 27, 2025, may also be evaluated under the old legal framework. Therefore, the application date has become even more critical in citizenship cases.

The practical consequence of this reform is that if an applicant relies solely on a "distant Italian ancestor" and cannot meet the requirement of Italian birth or residence at the parental or grandparental level, the risk of rejection of the application has significantly increased. Therefore, in ancestry cases, the family tree, birth records, marriage records, citizenship changes, naturalization documents, and residence records should be examined as a whole.

Italian Citizenship Through Marriage

Another important way to acquire Italian citizenship is through marriage to an Italian citizen. A foreigner who marries an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship if certain conditions are met. However, marriage alone does not automatically grant citizenship. The application must be submitted, the required time period must pass, the marriage must be valid, there must be no legal impediments, and the application must be accepted by the competent authorities.

In Italy, a foreign spouse legally residing in the country can apply for citizenship if they have legally resided there for at least two years after marriage. If both spouses live abroad, the rule is that three years must pass from the date of marriage. If the spouses have children together, these periods are halved. Thus, the period can be reduced to one year for the spouse living in Italy and to one and a half years for the spouse living abroad.

For citizenship applications through marriage, the mere formal existence of the marriage is not sufficient. The marriage must remain valid until the application is finalized, and there must be no divorce, annulment, termination of marriage, or separation. In consular procedures, it is also important that the foreign spouse and the Italian spouse are registered and actually connected within the same consular district.

Marriage applications also involve a criminal record check and a public security assessment. Under Italian law, convictions of a certain severity can be an obstacle to a citizenship application. Serious crimes in Italy, certain convictions in foreign countries, or situations posing a risk to national security may result in the rejection of the application.

Language Requirement for Citizenship Through Marriage

One of the most important requirements for Italian citizenship applications is Italian language proficiency. For citizenship applications through marriage and naturalization, applicants must document that their Italian language skills are at least the B1 level. This requirement is a language level standard assessed within the framework of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The number of language certificates accepted by consular authorities is limited. For example, certificates issued by authorized institutions such as PLIDA, CILS, CELI, CertIt, and similar bodies may be accepted. However, not every certificate obtained from a language course or private educational institution is considered valid for citizenship applications. Therefore, before applying, it is essential to check whether the language certificate to be obtained is one of the types of documents accepted by the Italian authorities.

Language requirements are a crucial factor affecting the merits of an application. Incomplete, invalid, unauthorized language certificates, or certificates not accepted by the application authority may lead to rejection or delays in the processing time. Therefore, language certificates, along with criminal record certificates and marriage certificates, are among the most critical documents, particularly in citizenship applications through marriage.

Italian Citizenship Through Residence

Foreigners who have legally resided in Italy for an extended period can apply for citizenship through naturalization if certain conditions are met. This avenue is particularly important for individuals residing in Italy for work permits, family reunification, post-education residency, long-term residence, or commercial activities.

As a general rule, non-EU citizens have legally resided in Italy for 10 years . For EU citizens, this period is 4 years; for refugees or stateless persons, it is 5 years. Shorter residency periods are also possible for foreigners born in Italy or certain individuals of Italian descent.

With the 2025 reform, the legal residency requirement for citizenship was reduced from three years to two years for some foreigners whose parents or grandparents were Italian citizens by birth. This regulation could create an alternative pathway for those who cannot acquire citizenship directly through kinship but can document their Italian ancestry.

For citizenship by residence, simply fulfilling the required period is not sufficient. The applicant must have legal, continuous, and verifiable residence in Italy. Income, tax records, criminal record, social integration, potential risk to public order, and Italian language skills are also assessed. Since citizenship is a discretionary process, formal fulfillment of the requirements does not always automatically guarantee acceptance.

Citizenship of Foreign Children Born in Italy

Contrary to popular belief, foreign children born in Italy do not automatically become Italian citizens at birth. Italy does not have a citizenship system based on absolute place of birth like the United States. A foreign child born in Italy may acquire citizenship later under certain conditions.

A foreigner born in Italy and residing legally and continuously in Italy until reaching the age of majority can acquire Italian citizenship by declaring their citizenship within a certain period after reaching the age of majority. Furthermore, according to the current portal, the three-year legal residency requirement continues to apply to some naturalization applications for foreigners born in Italy.

This process is particularly important for individuals born and educated in Italy, who are socially and culturally integrated into Italian society, but whose parents are foreigners. Missing application deadlines, interruptions in residence registration, or deficiencies in population records may result in loss of rights. Therefore, families of foreign children born in Italy should regularly monitor residence, school, population, and municipal records before the child reaches the age of majority.

Citizenship Acquisition for Young Children

The 2025 reform also introduced important regulations regarding young children. While the new system limits automatic citizenship at birth, it introduces new opportunities for certain minors through "acquisition of citizenship in the interest of law." Accordingly, for foreign or stateless minors born to Italian parents, a declaration of intent by the parents or legal guardian may be required.

In this case, for a child to acquire citizenship, conditions such as legally and continuously residing in Italy for at least two years after the declaration, or the declaration being made within a certain period from birth, recognition, or adoption, come into play. Furthermore, if a parent subsequently acquires Italian citizenship, the child's ability to acquire citizenship is contingent upon their residency status in Italy.

Therefore, the citizenship status of minors should not be considered automatically linked to the citizenship of their mother or father. In each case, the child's date and place of birth, the date the parent acquired citizenship, whether the child resides in Italy, and whether the declaration was made within the prescribed time limit must be assessed separately.

Documents Required for Italian Citizenship

The required documents for Italian citizenship applications vary depending on the type of application. However, generally, documents such as birth certificate, marital status documents, criminal record certificate, passport, residence permit, proof of address, income documents, marriage certificate, Italian language certificate, and application fee receipt are requested.

The most important issue regarding documents obtained from abroad is their proper translation and certification. According to official regulations, birth, marriage, and criminal records obtained from foreign countries must be translated into Italian and made valid through apostille or consular certification in accordance with relevant international agreements.

For citizenship applications through marriage, documents such as birth certificate, criminal record certificate, identity document, passport, marriage certificate, language certificate, and a receipt for a €250 contribution fee may be required. The validity of documents, especially criminal record certificates, is important; many consular procedures require that these certificates be obtained within a specific period prior to the application.

In applications for kinship, the list of documents is more complex. All birth, marriage, divorce, death, and citizenship/naturalization documents must be submitted in a chain, starting from the applicant and tracing back to the Italian ancestor. If there are discrepancies in name, surname, date of birth, or place of birth information in these documents, corrections may be required before submitting the application. Otherwise, the administration may reject the application or request additional documents on the grounds that the kinship chain cannot be proven.

How to Apply?

Applications for Italian citizenship can be processed at the municipality, prefettura, consulate, or court, depending on the type of application. Online systems play a significant role in marriage and naturalization applications. Applications can be submitted via the ALI Cittadinanza portal of the Italian Ministry of the Interior, where the relevant telematics form is completed and documents are uploaded to the system, depending on the application type. For those residing in Italy, access methods such as SPID or electronic identity cards are used to apply; for those living abroad, the system also offers application and tracking options.

Submitting the application electronically does not mean the process is complete. The administration will review the documents, request completion of any missing information, conduct a security check, and may call the applicant for an interview if necessary. Issues such as translation, apostille, name discrepancies, date discrepancies, criminal record issues, or language certificate problems may cause delays in the application process.

The status of an application can be tracked throughout the application process using the file number. For those residing in Italy, the competent prefettura plays a significant role, while for those living abroad, the competent consulate is crucial. Applications for kinship files can be submitted through the Italian consulate in the applicant's place of residence or through the relevant municipality in Italy; however, following the 2025 reforms, the application process should be monitored more closely in terms of jurisdiction and procedure.

Application Rejection and Appeal Procedures

An application for Italian citizenship may be rejected for reasons such as missing documents, failure to meet the requirements, criminal record, public security concerns, insufficient income, interrupted residency, or inability to prove kinship. A rejection does not constitute a final loss of rights for the applicant; however, the possibility of administrative appeal or judicial review varies depending on the type of application.

In citizenship determination cases, particularly those based on ancestry, the burden of proof is extremely important. Under the 2025 reform, it was stated that sworn testimony and witness testimony are generally not accepted in citizenship determination disputes, and the burden of proof regarding whether citizenship has been acquired or lost rests with the applicant.

Therefore, during the preparation phase for a citizenship application, it is essential to gather all necessary documents, resolve any discrepancies, and establish a sound legal basis. Especially in cases involving kinship, the approach of "apply first and complete the missing documents later" can pose serious risks. This is because the application date can be crucial in terms of applicable law and transitional provisions.

Is it possible to obtain Italian citizenship through real estate or investment?

Buying or investing in real estate in Italy does not, by itself, directly grant Italian citizenship. Real estate investment can provide advantages by demonstrating an economic connection to Italy, or as part of a visa or residency strategy; however, it still requires fulfilling the requirements of one of the relevant legal application procedures for citizenship.

Similarly, establishing a company, conducting commercial activities, or obtaining an investor visa in Italy does not automatically grant citizenship. These activities may help an individual obtain legal residency in Italy, demonstrate economic integration, and complete the required residency period for a future naturalization application. However, residency duration, income, tax compliance, criminal record, language requirements, and public order assessment are conducted separately during the citizenship process.

Therefore, the correct strategy for investors is not to view citizenship as a status to be gained directly through investment, but rather to consider investment, residency, tax planning, and the long-term residency process together. Individuals who establish a company or purchase real estate in Italy should plan their residency status, residency registration, tax obligations, and duration correctly from the outset if they have citizenship goals.

Does Italy allow dual citizenship?

Italy is generally considered among the countries that allow dual citizenship. However, this matter must also be evaluated in terms of the applicant's current citizenship. Acquiring Italian citizenship may lead to the loss of citizenship or create a notification obligation under the citizenship laws of one's own country. For Turkish citizens, dual citizenship is possible under Turkish law; however, the citizenship acquisition and notification processes must be followed separately.

Dual citizenship can have implications, particularly in areas such as inheritance, taxes, military service, family law, property regimes, company partnerships, and real estate acquisition. Therefore, the assessment should not be based solely on the advantage of the passport; the individual's legal status in Türkiye, Italy, and any third country should be analyzed together.

Conclusion

Italian citizenship is a multifaceted legal status that can be acquired through lineage, marriage, residency, birth, special provisions regarding minors, and exceptional means. However, following the 2025 reform, the rules have changed significantly, particularly for individuals born abroad who claim citizenship based on Italian ancestry. Proving a genuine and current connection to Italy has become much more crucial in applications based on distant ancestors.

For citizenship through marriage, the duration of the marriage, criminal record, and B1 level Italian language proficiency are determining factors. For citizenship through residency, legal and continuous residence, income level, integration, public order, and language requirements are key. For applications related to kinship, a complete chain of documents must be established, naturalization records examined, and the impact of the 2025 reform on the application accurately assessed.

Therefore, it is crucial for individuals wishing to obtain Italian citizenship to clarify their application process before starting, prepare their documents in a legally verifiable manner, and consider the consequences of the application date. Choosing the wrong application method, submitting incomplete documents, or ignoring new regulations can lead to rejection of the application and significant time loss. A process conducted with professional legal assessment increases the likelihood of application success and prevents loss of rights in administrative or judicial proceedings.