Can I keep my original citizenship?

It depends on your home country. Italy allows dual citizenship, but many countries (e.g., China, India, Japan) do not recognize it and require you to renounce theirs. Verify with your country's embassy before proceeding.

Can a rejection be appealed?

Yes. The rejection decree can be appealed at the TAR (Regional Administrative Court) within 60 days. You need an administrative lawyer. Success depends on the reasons for rejection — procedural errors are more contestable than discretionary assessments.

How many years do I wait if I marry an Italian?

2 years of marriage + legal residency in Italy. If you live abroad, 3 years of marriage. These terms are halved if you have children (natural or adopted). The 2 years must be of valid marriage — not separation.

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Italian citizenship for foreigners 2026: how to get it (residence, marriage)

Italian citizenship can be obtained by residence (after 10 years), marriage (after 2 years of marriage + residency), or by origin (iure sanguinis). Timelines are long — up to 4 years for residency — but the process is manageable if you know the procedure. This guide covers the main paths for non-EU nationals.

Authority

Ministero dell'Interno — Cittadinanza

Time

4–5 ore

Updated

Apr 2026

What you need

✓Valid residence permit
✓Birth certificate translated and apostilled
✓Criminal record certificate from home country (translated and apostilled)
✓Tax declarations for the last 3 years
✓Historical residence certificate (10 years)
✓B1 Italian language certificate (for residency path)

Step-by-step procedure

Choose your path: residency, marriage, or origin

By residency: 10 years of continuous legal residency in Italy (5 years for stateless persons and refugees, 4 years for EU citizens). By marriage: 2 years of marriage to an Italian citizen + legal residency (or 3 years if residing abroad). By origin (iure sanguinis): having an Italian ancestor who never renounced citizenship — even a great-grandparent. Each path requires different documentation.

Residency must be continuous. Periods outside Italy exceeding 10 consecutive months break the count.

Get your B1 Italian certificate (residency path only)

Since 2018, residency-based citizenship requires proving Italian language proficiency at B1 level. Recognized certifying bodies: University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, Roma Tre University, Dante Alighieri Society. Exam cost: €80–120. Validity: unlimited.

Those with an Italian degree, Italian high school diploma, or who passed a public competition in Italian are exempt from the B1 exam.

Collect and apostille documents from your home country

Foreign documents must be: translated into Italian by a certified translator and apostilled (or legalized if the country doesn't adhere to the Hague Convention). The apostille is obtained from the competent authority in the home country. Timelines: 1-8 weeks depending on the country. Countries without apostille (e.g., China): longer consular legalization procedure.

Start collecting foreign documents at least 6 months before the application — timelines are often unpredictable.

Submit the application online on the Ministry portal

Since 2015, citizenship applications for residency and marriage are submitted ONLY online on the Ministry of the Interior portal (k10.interno.gov.it). You need SPID or CIE. Upload all scanned documents and pay the €250 fee via pagoPA. You will receive a case number (K10) to track the status.

The K10 portal is often overloaded — try during off-peak hours. Ensure all files are PDF and under 2MB.

Wait for the decision (2–4 years) and take the oath

Official timelines are 730 days (2 years) but in practice are often 3-4 years. You can check the status on the K10 portal. If approved, you receive notification and must appear at the municipality within 6 months to take the oath. The oath completes the procedure: from that moment you are an Italian citizen.

Failing to appear for the oath within 6 months of notification results in forfeiture — you must restart the entire process.

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Portale Cittadinanza — Ministero dell'Interno

Ministero dell'Interno

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Frequently asked questions

Responsible authority

Authority

Ministero dell'Interno — Cittadinanza

Phone

06.4654.1

Certified email

Website

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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.

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