MORE ABOUT Italy

Italy's Citizenship by Descent

Italy offers citizenship by descent to individuals with Italian ancestry, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage and gain the benefits of Italian and EU citizenship.

MOBILITY ASSSET SNAPSHOT

Discover Citizenship by Descent in Italy

Italian citizenship by descent, also known as "jure sanguinis" (right of blood), is available to individuals who can prove Italian ancestry in a direct line. This path to citizenship allows descendants of Italian citizens to claim their heritage, with no generational limit in most cases.

Italia
Mobility Asset Index Score
71.50%
Mobilità Tipo di risorsa
Cittadinanza per discendenza
Official Name
Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis
Launched in:
1912
Online Submission:
No
Residency Privileges
(in months)
Lifetime
Adjudication Time
(in months)
42
Minimum Stay Requirement
(in days)
None
In-Country Presence Requirement
(in months)
None

Panoramica

A Snapshot of Citizenship by Descent in Italy

One-Liner: Reconnect with your Italian roots through citizenship by descent.

Requisiti di idoneità

At least one ancestor was an Italian citizen

Restrizioni degli antenati di ancoraggio

Must have been born after the formation of the Italian state (March 17, 1861)

Mesi alla cittadinanza

6 to 24 months

Durata del visto

Mesi al visto

Requisito della presenza fisica

None

Disponibilità

Difficult

Assegno familiare

Coniuge e figli

Panoramica

Panoramica

Discover How GlobalPassport Simplifies the Application Process for Italy's Citizenship by Descent

Guida passo dopo passo

Il nostro team di esperti vi guiderà in ogni fase del processo di candidatura, offrendovi un'assistenza personalizzata e adatta alle vostre esigenze.

Preparazione del documento

Vi aiuteremo a raccogliere e organizzare i documenti necessari per fare domanda.

Presentazione della domanda

Una volta pronti i documenti, vi comunicheremo dove e come presentare la domanda alle autorità competenti.

Domande?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Italian citizenship by descent?

Icona Plus

What is the 1948 rule?

Icona Plus

How long does the citizenship application process take?

Icona Plus

Can I hold dual citizenship with Italy?

Icona Plus

Where do I submit my application for Italian citizenship by descent?

Icona Plus

Icona Plus

benefits

Benefits of Citizenship by Descent in Italy

Italian citizenship offers numerous advantages, including EU membership benefits, visa-free travel to approximately 190 countries, and the opportunity to live and work in Italy and other EU countries.

Obtain EU citizenship based on ancestral ties

Access to Italy's public healthcare and education systems

Unrestricted right to live and work in the EU

Program Stability

No Physical Presence or In-Country Visit Requirements

No language test required

Paesi in cui si viaggia senza visto

160

Passport Validity

10 years

Panoramica

Why Italy

Italy offers a rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and the benefits of EU membership. As an Italian citizen, you'll have access to opportunities across Europe and beyond.

Vantaggi:

  • EU citizenship
  • Visa-free travel to approximately 190 countries
  • Right to live and work in Italy and other EU countries

Vantaggi:

  • Rich cultural heritage and history
  • High quality of life and Mediterranean lifestyle
  • Strong economy and job opportunities

Domande?

FAQ's

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our services.

Is there a generational limit for Italian citizenship by descent?

Icona Plus

What is the 1948 rule?

Icona Plus

How long does the citizenship application process take?

Icona Plus

Can I hold dual citizenship with Italy?

Icona Plus

Where do I submit my application for Italian citizenship by descent?

Icona Plus

Icona Plus

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Italy - Citizenship By Descent

Check if you qualify based on your family history

Direct Ancestral Connection

No Generational Limit: Italy allows claims regardless of generational distance, provided the connection is well-documented and meets other legal criteria and as long as none of the ancestors in the direct line formally renounced their Italian citizenship before the birth of the next person in the line.

Documentation

General: Original or certified copies of vital records proving lineage+Specific Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates (if applicable)+Translation: All foreign documents must be translated into Italian by a certified translator and apostilled.

Unbroken Chain of Citizenship

Citizenship Continuity: The Italian ancestor must have maintained their Italian citizenship until the birth of the next generation+Renouncement Rules: If the ancestor renounced their Italian citizenship before the birth of the next descendant, this may impact eligibility.+Naturalization Impact: Naturalization in another country before August 16, 1992, generally broke the chain of citizenship

Legal Compliance

Criminal Record: A clean criminal record is required, particularly if the applicant plans to reside in Italy or obtain an Italian passport.

REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Citizenship by Descent in Italy

To apply for Italian citizenship by descent, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Prove Italian ancestry through a direct line (parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc.)
  • Demonstrate an unbroken line of Italian citizenship from your ancestor to you
  • Provide necessary documentation to prove family ties and Italian ancestry
  • Show that your Italian ancestor did not naturalize in another country before the birth of their child in your direct line
  • Pay the application fee (around 300 euros)
  • All non-Italian documents must be translated to Italian and apostilled or legalized

PROCESS

Citizenship by Descent Process

#1

Initial Assessment

• Complete mobility match survey

• Upload GEDCOM files

• Verify ancestral eligibility

• Review program requirements

#2

Selection Phase

• View initial results

• Filter based on preferences

• Assess documentation requirements

• Choose target country

#3

Application Preparation

• Gather vital records

• Obtain apostilles

• Complete translations

• Prepare application forms

#4

Submission

• Schedule consular interview

• Submit petition

• Pay application fees

• Provide biometrics if required

#5

Monitoring & Approval

• Track processing time

• Respond to any queries

• Receive citizenship confirmation

• Collect passport/documents

Start now by taking our free assessment

START ASSESSMENT

PROCESS

Timeline for Italy - Citizenship By Descent

DOCUMENTS

Documents Needed for Italy - Citizenship By Descent

Important Notes
• All documents must be original or certified copies
• Non-English documents require certified translations
• Documents must be apostilled where applicable
Personal Identification Documents
Core identity documents required from the applicantis is some text inside of a div block.

Valid passport (copy of all pages)+Current government-issued ID

Documenti dei registri vitali
Birth, marriage, and death certificates from applicant and ancestors

Birth certificate of the applicant (long form, apostilled and translated)

Proof of Residence Documents
Evidence of current residence status

Proof of current address (utility bill, lease agreement, etc.)

Criminal Clearance Documents
Background check documentation

Criminal record extract from your country of residence+FBI Identity History Summary (apostilled)+State Police clearance from every state you've lived in since age 14 (apostilled)+Italian criminal records check (obtained in Italy if you've resided there)

Financial Documents
Proof of payment and financial requirements

Not applicable

DOCUMENTS

Costs Associated with Italy - Citizenship By Descent

Pre-Application Costs
Essential document preparation and verification costs

Birth certificates from government archives; Marriage certificates for family dependencies; Police clearance records from current and past residences

Certified translations into official language(s); Apostille certification; Government-issued document legalization

Diploma and transcript verification; Professional certification authentication; Credential evaluation services

Government Application Fees
Official fees charged by government authorities

Initial application submission fee; Processing and handling charges; Administrative review fees

$330

Fingerprint collection fee; Digital photograph requirements; Biometric data processing

Required medical examinations; Vaccination verification; Health certificate processing

Post-Submission Costs
Costs after submitting your application

Document verification fees; Background check processing; Application status updates

Consulate visit expenses; Interview travel costs; Temporary accommodation (if required)

Language proficiency testing; Skills assessment fees; Additional document requests

Professional Services
Optional external support services

Immigration lawyer consultation; Document review services; Legal representation fees

Tax planning consultation; Asset transfer advisory; Investment planning services

Relocation services; Property search assistance; Settlement support services

Post-Acceptance Costs
Costs after approval

Residency card processing; Passport issuance fees; Registration certificates

Oath ceremony fees; Registration charges; Local authority fees

Renewal fees; Status maintenance costs; Annual reporting fees

Rankings

GlobalPassport™ Mobility Asset Index

45

Classifica generale

Cost

Based on application fee

Residency Requirements

Based on residency requirements

Residency Privileges Length

Based on programs’s term

Processing Speed

Based on estimated processing time

Requisiti di idoneità

Based on entry requirements

Program Stability

Based on years of activity

Time to Permanent Residency

Based on permanent residency timeline

Rankings

Global Rankings/ Comparisions

Safety

Italia

33

Costo della vita

Italia

26

Quality of Life

Italia

20

Healthcare Quality

Italia

10

Internet Speed

Italia

66

Human Freedom

Italia

36

Discover More About Italy

Learn about living costs, culture, healthcare, and other essential information about relocating to Ireland. Explore all available immigration pathways and find the best option for you.

View Country Guide