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Italian citizenship is the status of being a citizen of Italy. It grants individuals the right to live, work, and study in Italy without any restrictions. It also allows individuals to travel freely within the European Union (EU) and to other countries with which Italy has agreements.
There are several ways to obtain Italian citizenship, including:
Italian lineage citizenship is a viable route for those born to Italian parents, grandparents, or even further back in the family tree – there’s no generational limit. The historical backdrop of Italian lineage citizenship is deeply intertwined with the progression of Italian nationality laws, the principle of “jus sanguinis,” and the influence of legal changes on citizenship rights over the decades. “Jus sanguinis” is a Latin term meaning “right of blood,” or more precisely, citizenship is established by lineage (bloodline), that is, being born to Italian citizens or having Italian ancestry.
A significant number of individuals globally possess Italian ancestry. There was substantial emigration from Italy during the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly to North and South America. This has led to a widespread Italian diaspora outside of Italy.
Possibly the most notable benefit of possessing Italian citizenship and a passport is the inherent right to travel without a visa to all European Union (EU) countries and the liberty to freely move within the Schengen Area member states without time constraints. The EU passport acquired through Italian citizenship confers upon you the status of both an Italian and an EU citizen. This allows holders to fully experience the varied cultures of Europe as official residents without any time limit.
You can become an Italian citizen and apply for an Italian passport by continuous Residence in Italy, by Marriage with an Italian national, or by Descent (Jure Sanguinis). Our team can guide you step by step throughout these procedures and answer all your questions.
If you have Italian ancestors (parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents etc.), you might qualify for Italian citizenship. This is because the Italian citizenship is transmitted “by blood”, with no generation limits. However, there are some limitations and the procedure might sound complicated to non-Italian language speakers. Our dedicated team in Italy is here to help you navigate the process.
You can obtain an Italian passport if you are married to an Italian national and you have been married for a few years. Our team will provide you with a detailed checklist of all the documents you will need to provide, including your marriage certificate, proof of Italian language proficiency (basic level), and a criminal background clearance. The processing time differs based on the fact you live in Italy or another country. In this case, the case has to be filed with the competent Italian consulate.
Italy allows you to have dual citizenship, and to hold more than one passport. This is established by Article 11, Law dated February 5th, 1992, No. 91. Therefore, you don’t need to give up your original citizenship when you go through this process to obtain your Italian passport.
Our team based in Italy can assist you with gathering all the necessary documents from the Immigration authorities in your country. In the U.S., most of the vital records and naturalization documents have to be obtained from USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) and the National Archives. The processing time to obtain these documents might be quite extensive.
This is a rare situation. Since Global Immigration was founded, we never experienced a denial of any Italian citizenship application, because our attorneys make sure clients qualify for the Italian passport at the start of the process. Anyway, a denial would be appealable within the Italian judicial system.
Can I hold two passports?
If you hold the Italian citizenship and another country that allows dual citizenship, then indeed, you are eligible for dual citizenship in Italy.
What is the definition of jure sanguinis?
“Jure sanguinis” or “jus sanguinis” are Latin terms that translate to “right of blood.” This principle implies that your citizenship can be established through the citizenship of your parents or forebears, such as being born to Italian citizens or having Italian lineage. It also signifies that children below 18 years of age automatically become Italian if one of their parents is an Italian citizen and their birth certificate is registered in Italy.
What advantages come with EU citizenship?
As an EU citizen, you are granted fundamental rights such as the freedom to reside, work, and vote in any EU country without requiring a residency permit. Furthermore, since 2008, the majority of European nations have become part of the Schengen agreement, facilitating unrestricted movement and travel within its member countries. Dual citizens experience increased security while traveling overseas, are exempt from certain limitations, and receive the protection of the diplomatic and consular authorities of any EU country under the same terms as the citizens of that country.
Is there a tax obligation for Italian citizens?
The tax obligations of an Italian citizen are tied to the duration of their stay in Italy. This means that if you acquire Italian citizenship and choose to stay in Italy for over 183 days, or if you are a registered resident in an Italian municipality for more than 183 days, your income will be taxable. Conversely, if your stay in Italy is less than 183 days annually or you are not a registered resident in an Italian municipality, you will be free from any tax payments. However, it’s important to note that owning property in the country legally obligates you to pay property taxes. It’s crucial to highlight that tax agreements exist between Italy and the United States to shield their residents from being taxed twice.
What can I do if I do not qualify for citizenship through my ancestors?
If you are the child or grandchild of an ex-citizen, you can obtain Italian citizenship by residing in Italy for a period of three years. Individuals who are great-grandchildren (or further) are not treated differently than those with entirely non-Italian heritage, and can only gain citizenship by residing in Italy for a decade. Those who are ineligible for citizenship through lineage can still obtain it through marriage or by contributing to the government.
Our attorneys can evaluate your case and tell you if you potentially qualify for Italian citizenship. Once they confirm your eligibility, they can guide you step by step and assist you with the whole application process.
“Jus sanguinis” is a Latin term meaning “right of blood,” or more precisely, citizenship is established by lineage (bloodline), that is, being born to Italian citizens or having Italian ancestry.
If you are married to an Italian citizen, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship after being married for at least two years. You will need to provide documents proving your marriage and meet other requirements, such as living in Italy for at least two years and passing a citizenship and language test. The requirements are slightly different if you don’t live in Italy.
Yes, Italy citizens can have dual nationality. There are no limits on the number of passports you can have. This means an Italian citizen is allowed to have two, three, or more passports.
You will need to collect all the vital records of all the people in your Italian lineage, such as Birth certificates and death certificates. You also need to collect naturalization certificates of the first ancestor born in Italy. Our attorneys can send you a detailed checklist and guide you step by step.
It depends on the type of case and the processing time of the Italian consulate in your country.
It depends. If you apply through the consulate there is no need to establish your residence in Italy.
You will need to collect all the vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates) of all the people in your lineage.
Global Immigration Partners PLLC is a specialized immigration law firm. Through our international presence we have specialist knowledge of the specific procedures in multiple embassies and consulates around-the-world.Book a free consultation
