Nationality of Italy: all obtaining pathways
Italian naturalization requires ten years of legal residence, reduced to four for EU citizens and to two — one with children — after marriage to an Italian. Law 74/2025 limits ius sanguinis descent to first- or second-generation ancestors, excluding great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and beyond.
1Naturalization by residence
Naturalization by residence
Requirements
- 10 years of unbroken legal residence in Italy
- Sufficient income (approximately the minimum of the annual social benefit)
- No serious criminal record
- Effective and continuous residence in Italy
- Law 91/1992 (as amended by DL 36/2025), art. 9: 10 years of legal residence; 4 years EU citizens; 5 years stateless persons and State civil service; 3 years for those born in Italy residing there (adulthood + 3 years).
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Italian residence permit
- Residence certificate from the municipality
- Criminal record certificates from Italy and the country of origin
- Tax returns for the last 3 years
- Proof of sufficient income
2Naturalization through marriage to an Italian
Naturalization through marriage to an Italian
Requirements
- 2 years of legal residence in Italy after the marriage (1 year if there are minor children)
- If residing abroad: 3 years of marriage (1.5 years if there are minor children)
- Knowledge of the Italian language at minimum level B1
- No serious criminal record
- Marriage subsisting and not legally separated at the time of the decision
- Law 91/1992, art. 5: the foreign/stateless spouse of an Italian citizen may acquire citizenship after 2 years of legal residence in Italy since marriage, or 3 years from the marriage date if residing abroad; terms are halved if there are common children born or adopted.
Documentation
- Marriage certificate
- Residence certificate
- Italian B1 language certificate
- Criminal record certificates from Italy and the country of origin
- Family-status certificate
- Valid passport
3Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Nationality by descent (ius sanguinis)
Requirements
- At least one parent is an Italian citizen at the time of birth
- Transmission limited to first- or second-generation ancestors after Law 74/2025 (great-grandchildren and beyond are excluded); cases saved by applications filed before 27 March 2025
- The line of descent must not have been interrupted by renunciation or voluntary loss of nationality
- For minors adopted by Italian citizens: automatic acquisition
Documentation
- Complete chain of birth and marriage certificates of the Italian ancestors
- Birth certificate of the emigrating Italian ancestor
- Certificate of non-naturalization of the ancestor in the country of emigration
- Birth certificate of the applicant
4Reduced naturalization for EU citizenship or refugees
Reduced naturalization for EU citizenship or refugees
Requirements
- 4 years of residence for EU citizens
- 5 years for stateless persons and recognized refugees
- 5 years for those over 18 adopted by Italians
- No serious criminal record
- Sufficient income
- Effective residence in Italy
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Residence permit or proof of refugee status
- Criminal record certificate
- Proof of income
- Residence certificate
Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Italy
How many years of residence does Italy require to naturalize?
According to the main pathway of Italy (Naturalization by residence), the term is 10 years of legal residence (Law 91/1992, art. 9(f)). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.
Can the nationality of Italy be obtained by marriage?
Yes, through the Naturalization through marriage to an Italian pathway (2 years of residence in Italy after marriage, or 3 years from the wedding living abroad; terms halved with common children (Law 91/1992, art. 5)). The complete requirements appear in the fact sheet of that pathway.
What documentation does naturalization in Italy require?
The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Valid passport; Italian residence permit; Residence certificate from the municipality; Criminal record certificates from Italy and the country of origin; Tax returns for the last 3 years; among 1 more documents.
What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Italy?
Italy provides 4 pathways: Naturalization by residence, Naturalization through marriage to an Italian, Nationality by descent, Reduced naturalization for EU citizenship or refugees.
Residence and nationality updates
Subscribe to know when a country changes its residence or nationality routes. One email, only when there is news.
Anything to correct or add about Italy?
If you have spotted incorrect or outdated information, or want to suggest additional details about nationality pathways in Italy, leave us your comment. We review every one personally.