Italian Citizenship by Marriage: Complete Guide

Introduction

Italian citizenship by marriage is one of the most common ways to obtain Italian citizenship 🇮🇹.
It is based on the principle that those who marry an Italian citizen can apply to acquire Italian citizenship under certain conditions.

📌 It is a simplified form of naturalization, provided for by Law no. 91/1992, which recognizes family ties as a basis for integration into the Italian community.

Legal framework

The main rules are set out in:

• Law no. 91/1992, art. 5,
• Presidential Decree no. 572/1993 and subsequent amendments,
• legislative updates in 2018 and 2020, which introduced:
  • maximum processing time extended to 48 months,
  • requirement of Italian language certificate level B1,
  • €250 ministry contribution fee.

Main requirements

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Legal marriage
   • The marriage must be registered in Italy with the Comune (municipality) or the Consulate.
   • Cohabitation alone is not enough.
2. Duration of marriage
   • If living in Italy: 2 years of marriage.
   • If living abroad: 3 years of marriage.
   • These periods are halved (1 year in Italy, 1.5 years abroad) if the couple has children born or adopted 👶.
3. No serious criminal record
   • The applicant must not have convictions for serious crimes or pose threats to national security.
4. Language certification
   • Minimum requirement: B1 level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Required documents

The list may vary by country of residence, but generally includes:

• Extract of marriage certificate (estratto per riassunto dell’atto di matrimonio from the Comune in Italy),
• Applicant’s birth certificate, translated and legalized,
• Criminal record certificates from countries of residence in the last 10 years, translated and legalized,
• Identity document and Italian tax code (codice fiscale),
• Residence permit (if living in Italy),
• Receipt of payment of the €250 ministry fee,
• €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo),
• Italian language certificate (minimum B1 level).

Where to apply

1. If residing in Italy
   • The application is submitted online via the Ministry of the Interior’s portal.
   • The local Questura (Police Headquarters) then calls the applicant for document checks and fingerprints 👮.
2. If residing abroad
   • The application is still filed online via the Ministry’s portal, but is processed through the competent Italian Consulate.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Gather documents, ensuring translations and legalizations.
2. Register on the Ministry of the Interior portal – cittadinanza.dlci.interno.it.
3. Complete the online application and upload all documents.
4. Pay the ministry contribution fee and the revenue stamp.
5. Attend an appointment at the Questura (in Italy) or Consulate (abroad).
6. Wait for the Ministry’s evaluation.
7. Receive the decree granting citizenship.
8. Take the oath of allegiance within 6 months at the Comune or Consulate.

Processing times

• Since 2018, the maximum processing time is 48 months (4 years).
• In practice:
  • In Italy: average 2–3 years,
  • Abroad: often up to 4 years.

⏳ While long, these times are still shorter than other forms of naturalization.

Costs

• Ministry contribution: €250 💶
• Revenue stamp: €16
• Translation and legalization of documents: approx. €200–500
• Legal fees (if professional assistance is required): variable

Rights and benefits

Those who acquire Italian citizenship by marriage gain:

• Italian passport 🇪🇺 with visa-free access to over 190 countries,
• right to live and work in Italy and across the EU 🌍,
• access to public healthcare and education,
• ability to pass citizenship to children,
• full integration into the Italian community.

Common mistakes and reasons for denial

❌ Marriage not registered in Italy,
❌ Incomplete or incorrectly translated documents,
❌ Missing Italian language certificate (B1),
❌ Criminal record issues or false declarations,
❌ Marriage dissolved before completion of the process.

Practical tips

💡 Register the marriage in Italy as soon as possible (Comune or Consulate).
💡 Request criminal records early, as they often have limited validity.
💡 Obtain the Italian language certificate (B1) in advance.
💡 Keep copies of all documents uploaded online.
💡 Be prepared for long waiting times and monitor your case through the portal.

Conclusion

Italian citizenship by marriage is one of the most accessible ways to acquire citizenship, but it requires patience, complete documentation, and careful attention to requirements.
It offers a concrete path to enjoy the same civil rights as your Italian spouse and to fully integrate into Italian society.

📌 Golden rule: marriage registered in Italy, requirements fulfilled, and documents complete. With these in place, the process — though lengthy — will lead to success.