Is dual citizenship possible in Italy? Can Turkish citizens retain their Turkish citizenship while acquiring Italian citizenship? A comprehensive legal guide to Italian citizenship law, Law No. 91/1992, ius sanguinis, marriage, residence, the 2025 reform, loss of citizenship, renunciation, and declaration of multiple citizenship.

Entrance

Dual citizenship is possible in Italy. Italian citizenship law, in its current system, generally allows a person to hold both Italian citizenship and citizenship of another country simultaneously. This is particularly important for Turkish citizens, as one of the most frequently asked questions by those who have lived, worked, studied, married, established companies, invested, or have Italian ancestry in Italy for an extended period is: "If I obtain Italian citizenship, will I lose my Turkish citizenship?"

As a general rule, Italian law permits dual citizenship. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that the Italian Citizenship Act No. 91 of February 5, 1992, differs from previous legislation in that it recognizes multiple citizenships, and that acquiring a foreign citizenship from August 16, 1992, onwards does not automatically terminate Italian citizenship. The same statement clarifies that Italian citizenship can only be terminated in special circumstances, such as through formal renunciation or in cases where international agreements provide for a different outcome.

Turkish law also recognizes multiple citizenships. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs states that, according to Article 44 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, individuals who acquire foreign citizenship for any reason will have a note indicating their multiple citizenship entered in their family registry upon documentation of this acquisition. Therefore, a Turkish citizen acquiring Italian citizenship does not automatically mean the loss of Turkish citizenship. However, if the individual wishes to renounce their Turkish citizenship, this is a separate administrative process requiring permission from the Ministry. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs explains that renouncing Turkish citizenship is possible upon the individual's request and under specific conditions.

Therefore, the issue of dual citizenship in Italy is not simply a matter of "is it possible to obtain two passports?". The matter involves numerous legal consequences, including the acquisition and loss of citizenship, its transfer to children, military service, taxes, inheritance, population registration, marriage, lineage, residency, application documents, and the declaration of multiple citizenship in Türkiye.

The Fundamental Basis of Dual Citizenship in Italian Law

In Italy, citizenship law is primarily Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992. This law establishes the basic framework for acquiring, losing, regaining, passing down to children, and multiple citizenships of Italian citizenship.

According to the official statement of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the fundamental principles of Italian citizenship law are: the transferability of citizenship through lineage, acquisition of citizenship based on place of birth in some exceptional cases, the possibility of multiple citizenships, and the importance of an individual's will in acquiring or losing citizenship.

One of the most important provisions of the law is that an Italian citizen, if they acquire a foreign citizenship, shall, as a rule, retain their Italian citizenship. Article 11 of Law No. 91/1992, found in the archives of the Italian Ministry of the Interior, stipulates that an Italian citizen shall retain their Italian citizenship if they possess, acquire, or reacquire foreign citizenship; however, if they reside abroad, they may renounce their Italian citizenship.

The practical implication of this provision is that if an Italian citizen subsequently acquires the citizenship of another country, they do not lose their Italian citizenship solely on that basis. Similarly, a foreigner who acquires Italian citizenship can retain their previous citizenship as long as the laws of their own country permit. Therefore, for Turkish citizens, it is generally possible to hold both Italian and Turkish citizenship simultaneously.

Can Turkish citizens retain their Turkish citizenship while acquiring Italian citizenship?

For Turkish citizens, the answer is generally yes. Turkey recognizes multiple citizenship. A Turkish citizen acquiring Italian citizenship does not automatically terminate their Turkish citizenship. However, after acquiring Italian citizenship, the individual can have this recorded in their Turkish population registry. According to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, when individuals who have acquired foreign citizenship present their documents, a statement indicating multiple citizenship is added to their population records after identity verification.

This process is important because a person's registration in Türkiye's population records as solely a Turkish citizen can have different administrative consequences than a declaration stating that they hold both Turkish and Italian citizenship. Declaring multiple citizenship helps ensure the proper processing of documents in matters such as passports, population registration, consular procedures, marriage, child registration, inheritance, military service, and other official processes.

In contrast, there is a separate procedure for those wishing to renounce Turkish citizenship. Renunciation of Turkish citizenship is not automatic; it depends on the individual's request and a decision by the Ministry. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs states that a person wishing to renounce Turkish citizenship must be of legal age and have the capacity to make reasoned decisions, must not have acquired foreign citizenship or have credible indications of acquiring it, must not be wanted for crimes or military service, and must not have any financial or criminal restrictions against them.

Therefore, for a Turkish citizen, acquiring Italian citizenship presents two separate possibilities. The individual can continue to hold both Turkish and Italian citizenship, or they can initiate the process of renouncing their Turkish citizenship at their own request. However, the second option is not automatic; it is a completely separate legal process subject to specific conditions.

How can one obtain Italian citizenship?

To understand the issue of dual citizenship in Italy, it's first necessary to know the ways in which Italian citizenship can be acquired. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that Italian citizenship can be acquired through bloodline, citizenship acquired by minors through their parents, adoption, marriage or civil partnership, citizenship by residence, certain legal cases, exceptional services, and limited ius soli cases.

The most common methods encountered in practice by Turkish citizens are as follows:

Firstly, citizenship by residence. For non-EU citizens, the general rule is to apply for citizenship after at least 10 years of legal residence in Italy. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly states the requirement of at least 10 years of legal residence for ordinary citizenship applications from non-EU foreigners.

Secondly, citizenship through marriage or civil partnership. A foreign spouse married to an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship after two years of legal residence in Italy if they live there, or after three years if they live abroad. These periods are halved if the couple has children. The marriage must be valid under Italian law, registered with the relevant Italian municipality, and the marital bond must continue until the citizenship decision is made.

Thirdly, citizenship by lineage, or ius sanguinis. In Italian citizenship law, lineage is the fundamental principle; a child born to an Italian mother or father is, as a rule, an Italian citizen. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that Article 1 of Law 91/1992 stipulates that a child born to an Italian mother or father becomes an Italian citizen by birth, and that the principle of ius sanguinis is the fundamental principle of the Italian citizenship system.

Fourthly, there is the acquisition of citizenship by minor children through their parents. If one parent acquires or regains Italian citizenship, under certain conditions, the minor child living with them can also acquire Italian citizenship. However, the 2025 reform introduced new conditions in this area; these may include requirements such as the minor child having legally resided in Italy for at least two years at the time the parent acquired citizenship, or, if under two years old, having been in Italy since birth.

Citizenship by Kinship and Dual Citizenship After the 2025 Reforms

Significant changes were made to Italian citizenship law in 2025. These changes are particularly important regarding the automatic granting of Italian citizenship, through the ius sanguinis procedure , to individuals born abroad who hold other citizenships

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that with the enactment of Decree Law No. 36 of March 28, 2025, into Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, the automatic acquisition of citizenship by persons born abroad and holding another citizenship is subject to the exceptions in Article 3-bis of Law No. 91/1992. Accordingly, an applicant born abroad and holding another citizenship may not automatically be considered an Italian citizen; however, a different assessment will be made if there are exceptions, such as one of their first or second-degree ancestors being solely an Italian citizen, or if a parent resided continuously in Italy for at least two years before the applicant's birth after acquiring Italian citizenship.

The Italian Consulate General in New York also explains that the 2025 reform introduces new restrictions on the recognition of Italian citizenship, particularly for individuals born abroad and holding other citizenships. According to the consulate's statement, individuals born abroad and holding other citizenships may not be automatically granted Italian citizenship under the new Article 3-bis, unless certain exceptions apply. These exceptions include applications made or appointments scheduled before 23:59 on March 27, 2025; the presence of only one parent or grandparent who is an Italian citizen; and the Italian parent having lived in Italy for at least two years prior to the applicant's birth.

This reform does not prohibit dual citizenship. However, it could seriously affect the chances of success for individuals who wish to obtain Italian citizenship through ancestry and who already hold Turkish or other citizenship. Therefore, the approach of "I have an Italian grandfather, so I automatically become a citizen" must now be examined much more carefully. In the post-2025 system, ancestry, generation, place of birth, current citizenship, the citizenship status of ancestors or parents, and residency requirements in Italy must all be considered together.

Italian Citizenship and Dual Citizenship Through Marriage

A Turkish citizen married to an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship if they meet the requirements and, as a general rule, can also retain their Turkish citizenship. In this case, the person can be both a Turkish and Italian citizen.

According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a foreign spouse of an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship after two years of legal residence in Italy if they live in Italy, or after three years if they live abroad. These periods are halved if the couple has children. Furthermore, the marriage or civil partnership must be valid under Italian law, the marriage must be registered with the relevant Italian municipality, and the marital bond must continue until the citizenship decision is made.

In citizenship applications through marriage, criminal record checks, security assessments, and language requirements are also important. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the foreign spouse must not have been convicted of certain serious crimes, must not have any impediments regarding crimes against the state, and must not pose a threat to the security of the Republic. In practice, documents such as B1 level Italian language proficiency, birth certificate, criminal record certificates, marriage registration, and application fee may also be required.

Turkish citizens who acquire Italian citizenship through marriage are not required to renounce their Turkish citizenship. However, it is important for the individual to declare multiple citizenships in Türkiye and to have their population records harmonized.

Italian Citizenship and Dual Citizenship through Residence

Turkish citizens who have legally resided in Italy for a long time can apply for Italian citizenship by residency, provided they meet the requirements. For non-EU citizens, the general rule is at least 10 years of legal residency in Italy. During this period, the applicant's regular residence status, uninterrupted residency registration, income level, criminal record, public order, and integration criteria are evaluated. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a minimum of 10 years of legal residency is the usual condition for granting citizenship to non-EU foreigners.

Citizenship by residence is not an automatic right. Completing the required time period does not guarantee citizenship. Italian authorities examine the applicant's income, tax records, social integration, criminal record, security status, and the accuracy of the application documents. If the applicant acquires Italian citizenship, they can retain their Turkish citizenship, as Italian law permits dual citizenship and Turkish law also recognizes multiple citizenships.

The most important practical issue for Turkish citizens here is that their residency period is truly legal and uninterrupted. Residence permit durations, municipal registration, address changes, periods spent outside Italy, income documents, and tax records can become critical in a citizenship application.

Does obtaining Italian citizenship automatically render one's Turkish citizenship invalid?

No. Turkish citizenship does not automatically cease upon acquiring Italian citizenship. Renunciation of Turkish citizenship is a separate process dependent on the individual's explicit request and a Ministry decision. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs states that permission or a certificate of renunciation may be issued to individuals wishing to renounce Turkish citizenship, provided they meet certain conditions.

Therefore, when a Turkish citizen acquires Italian citizenship, three main procedures may arise. First, obtaining the documents confirming the acquisition of Italian citizenship. Second, making a declaration of multiple citizenship in Türkiye. Third, if the individual wishes and meets the conditions, evaluating the process of renouncing Turkish citizenship. However, the third procedure is not mandatory.

The practical consequence of dual citizenship is that a person establishes citizenship ties with both countries. This situation can grant rights as well as create certain obligations. In the case of Turkey and Italy, the rules of both countries must be examined together in areas such as passport use, military service, tax residency, marriage, citizenship of children, inheritance, social security, and consular protection.

Can Italian citizenship be lost?

Italian citizenship is not automatically lost upon acquiring foreign citizenship as a rule. However, loss or renunciation is possible in certain special circumstances. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that Italian citizenship can be automatically lost in some cases, and terminated in others by a formal declaration of renunciation. Cases of automatic loss include special circumstances such as voluntary service in the armed forces of a foreign state or acceptance of a foreign public office, despite the explicit prohibition of the Italian government.

Regarding formal renunciation, an Italian citizen residing abroad and holding another citizenship may renounce their Italian citizenship. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that an Italian citizen holding another citizenship and residing abroad may renounce their citizenship under Article 11 of Law 91/1992.

Therefore, for a Turkish citizen who has acquired Italian citizenship, the main risk in terms of preserving Italian citizenship is not having foreign citizenship itself, but rather separate legal proceedings such as loss of specific citizenship, irregular declarations, security concerns, or renunciation of citizenship.

The Impact of Dual Citizenship on Children

Dual citizenship is of particular importance for children. A child of a person holding both Turkish and Italian citizenship may acquire multiple citizenships depending on the place of birth, the citizenship of the parents, marital status, civil registry records, and the laws of the respective countries. Since the principle of ius sanguinis is fundamental in Italian law, a child born to an Italian mother or father is, as a rule, considered to have Italian citizenship. However, the 2025 reform introduced new conditions, particularly for children born abroad who hold other citizenships.

In Turkey, however, blood relation is fundamental. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs explains that Turkish citizenship is acquired automatically upon birth, based on blood relation or place of birth; and that citizenship acquired through blood relation is based on the child being a Turkish citizen at the time of birth, either through their mother or father.

Therefore, in families with Turkish-Italian dual citizenship, birth registration, Italian municipal records, Turkish population records, apostille-translation procedures, and consular notifications for children must be handled carefully. In particular, for children born abroad, whether Italian citizenship is acquired automatically or through declaration/application should be further examined after the 2025 reform.

Does dual citizenship imply tax residency?

Dual citizenship and tax residency are not the same thing. A person holding both Turkish and Italian citizenship does not automatically make them a full taxpayer in both countries. Tax residency is determined based on criteria such as where a person lives, their center of operations, the number of days they spend in each country each year, their family, work, home, and economic and personal ties.

However, dual citizenship requires more careful planning of tax and financial obligations. For example, if a person lives, works, or manages a company in Italy, they may become a tax resident under Italian tax law. If there is real estate, a company, a bank account, or investment income in Türkiye, the Turkey-Italy double taxation agreement and the domestic legislation of both countries must be considered together.

Therefore, Turkish citizens wishing to obtain Italian citizenship should plan not only for the advantages of passport acquisition but also for the consequences regarding taxes, social security, inheritance, military service, real estate, and family law.

Why are documents important in a dual citizenship application?

Document requirements are crucial for Italian citizenship applications. Depending on the application type, documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, criminal records, residence permits, income documents, language certificates, population register extracts, genealogical documents, apostilles, and Italian translations may be required.

In lineage applications, birth, marriage, and death records for every generation between the applicant and the Italian ancestor must be submitted in a chain. The Italian Consulate General in New York explains that for an ius sanguinis application, the birth record of the Italian parent or grandfather, all birth certificates, marriage certificates, and, if necessary, death certificates in the lineage must be duly legalized and translated into Italian.

For marriage applications, documents such as marriage registration, criminal record certificate, birth certificate, language certificate, and records showing that the marriage is still valid are important. For applications based on residency, documents regarding residency periods, income, and criminal record are crucial.

For Turkish citizens, discrepancies in names, surnames, dates of birth, place names, dates of marriage, divorce decrees, and civil registry records can create serious problems. Italian authorities seek consistency in the document chain. Even a seemingly minor typographical error or a difference in the date of birth can cause delays in the application process or require additional documents.

Multiple Citizenship Declaration for Turkish Citizens

For Turkish citizens who have acquired Italian citizenship, declaring their multiple citizenship in Türkiye is practically important. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs states that if individuals who have acquired foreign citizenship document this and their identity is verified, a declaration of multiple citizenship will be made in their family registry records.

Notification can generally be made to the population registration offices within the country, and to Turkish diplomatic missions abroad. The application may require an Italian citizenship certificate, passport or official document proving citizenship, Turkish identity card, translation, and, if necessary, apostille/legalization. The type of document and application procedure should be checked according to current administrative practices.

This notification does not mean that the person has lost their Turkish citizenship. On the contrary, it confirms in the Turkish population registry that the person holds multiple citizenships. If the person later loses their Italian citizenship, this must also be reported to the Turkish authorities. The General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs states that if a Turkish citizen holding multiple citizenships loses their other citizenship, this must also be reported in writing to the population registry office or the foreign representation.

Advantages of Dual Citizenship in Italy

Italian citizenship grants not only the right to live in Italy but also many rights associated with European Union citizenship. An Italian citizen can enjoy freedom of movement, residence, work, education, and certain political rights within the European Union. This creates significant advantages for Turkish citizens, particularly in terms of employment, education, investment, family reunification, and free movement within Europe.

Dual citizenship allows individuals to retain their Turkish citizenship while also enjoying the rights afforded by Italian citizenship. Inheritance, property, family ties, business relationships, and citizenship rights in Türkiye remain intact, while opportunities for work, education, social rights, and travel in Italy and the European Union expand.

However, these advantages must be weighed against the obligations. Dual citizenship may result in being subject to the rules of two states simultaneously. Issues such as military service, taxes, social security, marriage, divorce, child registration, name and surname differences, inheritance, and consular protection should be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Most Common Mistakes

A common mistake regarding dual citizenship in Italy is the belief that Turkish citizenship automatically ceases upon acquiring Italian citizenship. However, since Turkish law recognizes multiple citizenships, Turkish citizenship does not automatically end unless the individual separately requests to renounce it.

The second mistake is assuming that Italy does not allow dual citizenship. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs explicitly states that multiple citizenship is possible and that acquiring foreign citizenship after August 16, 1992, does not, as a rule, terminate Italian citizenship.

The third mistake is still believing that citizenship by descent is unlimited and automatic. The 2025 reform introduced serious limitations on granting citizenship through ius sanguinis to individuals born abroad and holding another citizenship.

The fourth mistake is to view citizenship automatically through marriage and to disregard the application process, the validity of the marriage, criminal record checks, and language requirements. Being married to an Italian citizen alone does not confer citizenship; application, duration, valid marriage, security, and documentation requirements are all necessary.

The fifth mistake is failing to declare multiple citizenships in Türkiye. Without this declaration, even if a person has acquired Italian citizenship, this may not appear in Turkish population records, potentially leading to document discrepancies in future administrative procedures.

Conclusion

Dual citizenship is possible in Italy. Italian citizenship law has recognized multiple citizenships as a rule since 1992. An Italian citizen acquiring foreign citizenship does not automatically terminate their Italian citizenship; similarly, a foreigner acquiring Italian citizenship does not prevent them from retaining their previous citizenship, provided their own national law permits.

For Turkish citizens, acquiring Italian citizenship does not automatically mean the loss of Turkish citizenship. Turkey recognizes multiple citizenships and allows for the annotation of multiple citizenships to be added to the population registers of Turkish citizens who have acquired foreign citizenship. Renouncing Turkish citizenship, however, is a separate process dependent on the individual's request and a decision by the Ministry.

However, the issue of dual citizenship in Italy should be examined more carefully, especially after the 2025 citizenship reform. New restrictions have been introduced for citizenship applications through ancestry for individuals born abroad and holding other citizenships. Issues such as marriage, residence, children, citizenship through parents, renunciation of citizenship, regaining citizenship, and declaration of multiple citizenship in Türkiye should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Therefore, the safest approach for Turkish citizens is to clarify the following questions before applying for Italian citizenship: How will Italian citizenship be acquired? Does the applicant wish to retain Turkish citizenship? Is the citizenship pathway in Italy affected by the 2025 reform? Are the family and identity information consistent in the documents? How will the declaration of multiple citizenship be made in Türkiye? What will be the citizenship status of the children? How will the consequences regarding taxes, military service, inheritance, and family law be managed?

A properly planned Italian dual citizenship process allows an individual to maintain ties with Turkey while also enjoying the rights afforded by Italian and European Union citizenship. A poorly or inadequately planned process, however, can lead to rejection of the citizenship application, document discrepancies, registration problems for children, and administrative delays.