Italian Citizenship by Residency: Complete Guide

Introduction

Italian citizenship by residency is one of the main forms of naturalization provided under Italian law 🇮🇹.
It allows foreign nationals who have lived stably in Italy to become Italian citizens after a certain period of continuous and legal residence.

📌 The process is governed by Law no. 91/1992, which regulates the various ways of acquiring Italian citizenship.
It is a long and complex procedure, but also the most common gateway for foreigners who decide to build their lives in Italy.

Legal framework

• Law no. 91/1992, art. 9 → defines the requirements and timelines for citizenship by residency.
• Presidential Decree no. 572/1993 → implementing regulation.
• Legislative updates in 2018 and 2020 introduced:
  • the obligation of Italian language knowledge at B1 level,
  • new maximum processing time limits set at 36 months.

Main requirements

1. Legal and continuous residence 🏡

• Residency must be formally registered at the local municipal registry (anagrafe).
• Residence must be uninterrupted — long absences abroad may break the requirement.

2. Duration of residence

The required length depends on the applicant’s nationality:

• 10 years → non-EU citizens,
• 4 years → EU citizens,
• 5 years → stateless persons and recognized refugees,
• 3 years → foreigners with an Italian parent or grandparent, or those born in Italy,
• 2 years → foreigners married to Italian citizens, if living in Italy.

3. Minimum income 💶

Applicants must prove adequate and stable income:

• approx. €8,500 per year for a single applicant,
• higher thresholds for families.
  Income must be demonstrated with tax returns (CUD, 730, or Unico).

4. Italian language knowledge 📚

• Required: official B1 level certificate issued by recognized institutions (CELI, CILS, PLIDA, CLIQ).

5. Clean criminal record

Applicants must not have serious criminal convictions and must not be considered a threat to national security.

Required documents

• Birth certificate, translated and legalized with apostille,
• Criminal record certificates from the country of origin and any countries of previous residence,
• Copy of residence permit,
• Valid identity document,
• Italian tax code (codice fiscale),
• Historical residency certificate issued by the Comune,
• Tax returns from the last 3 years,
• Italian language certificate (B1 level),
• Receipt of payment of the €250 ministry fee,
• €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo).

Where to apply

Applications are submitted online through the official portal of the Ministry of the Interior.

After submission, the case is assigned to the local Prefecture, which carries out preliminary checks. The Ministry then takes over for the final evaluation.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Gather all required documents.
2. Translate and legalize documents as needed.
3. Register and fill out the online application on the Ministry’s portal.
4. Upload the digital copies of the documents.
5. Pay the ministry fee and the revenue stamp.
6. Monitor the progress of the application online.
7. Receive the decree granting citizenship.
8. Take the oath of allegiance within 6 months at the Comune of residence.

Processing times

• Maximum timeframe: 24 months, extendable up to 36 months.
• In practice, the average duration ranges from 2 to 3 years, depending on the Prefecture.
• Times may be shorter for EU citizens and for those with close family ties to Italian nationals.

Approximate costs

• Ministry fee: €250 💶
• Revenue stamp: €16
• Translations and legalization: approx. €200–600 on average

Benefits of Italian citizenship

• Italian passport 🇪🇺 with visa-free access to over 190 countries.
• Right to live and work anywhere in the EU 🌍.
• Access to public healthcare and education in Italy.
• Right to vote and participate fully in political life.
• Automatic transmission of citizenship to children.

Common mistakes and reasons for rejection

❌ Non-continuous or irregular residence,
❌ Insufficient or undocumented income,
❌ Missing or incorrectly translated documents,
❌ Lack of Italian language certificate (B1),
❌ Criminal record issues or security concerns.

Practical tips

💡 Check residency and income requirements well in advance.
💡 Request criminal record certificates early, as they often have limited validity.
💡 Always use sworn translators for official documents.
💡 Keep both digital and paper copies of all submissions.
💡 Be prepared for long processing times and possible requests for additional documents.

Conclusion

Italian citizenship by residency is a significant achievement for foreigners who live in Italy and want to become fully integrated into the national community.
The process is demanding and time-consuming, but with the right documentation and patience, the goal is achievable.

📌 Golden rule: continuous legal residence, adequate income, B1 Italian language certificate, and complete documentation.