How to Apply for Italian Citizenship in Italy: Complete Guide for 2026

Introduction

Applying for Italian citizenship directly in Italy is typically faster and more streamlined than going through consular offices abroad, where backlogs can stretch over a year or longer. With Law 74/2025 now in full effect and upheld by the Constitutional Court as of March 2026, the rules for acquiring Italian citizenship have changed substantially-particularly for those claiming Italian citizenship jure sanguinis through distant ancestors. Understanding these new provisions is essential whether you are already residing in Italy or planning to establish residence.

This guide covers three primary pathways for those applying in Italy: citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) under the new generational limits, the beneficio di legge route for minor children born after Law 74/2025, and naturalization by residency for foreign nationals who establish legal residence through a visa. We do not cover consular procedures conducted entirely abroad, though we reference consular roles where relevant. The target audience includes foreign nationals currently in Italy or planning to move, families tracing Italian ancestry, and investors or professionals seeking long-term Italian status through residency.

In short: You can apply for Italian citizenship in Italy through jure sanguinis (if your Italian parent or grandparent meets the new criteria), through a declaration of intent for eligible minors, or through naturalization after 3 to 10 consecutive years of legal residency depending on your specific case. Applications submitted after March 27, 2025, follow new regulations under Law 74/2025, and all are processed by local prefectures or municipal offices.

By reading this guide, you will gain:

• A clear understanding of Italian Citizenship Law 74/2025’s generational limits and what they mean for your citizenship application
• Knowledge of the Italian Citizenship “beneficio di legge” process for minor children and its strict deadlines
• Step-by-step guidance on naturalization by residence, including expedited timelines
• Detailed Italian Citizenship document preparation and legalization requirements
• Realistic Italian Citizenship timeline expectations and strategies for avoiding common pitfalls
  
  

Understanding Italian Citizenship Applications in Italy

Applying “in Italy” means your citizenship application is handled by Italian authorities on Italian soil-either the local comune (Italian municipality), the Prefettura (provincial government office), or a civil court-rather than through an Italian consulate abroad. This distinction matters because in-country applications bypass the severe consular backlogs that have plagued offices in the Americas, where thousands of pending jure sanguinis applications have created wait times of two to three years or more.

There are practical advantages to this approach: direct access to municipal registries, faster verification of documents, and the ability to establish and maintain the legal residency that several pathways require. For many Italian Citizenship applicants, residing in Italy while the application is processed also means building the life, language skills, and community ties that strengthen a naturalization case.

New Italian Citizenship Law 74/2025 Provisions

Law 74/2025 (originally Decree-Law No. 36/2025, converted and published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale on 23 May 2025) fundamentally reformed Italian citizenship by descent. The law inserted Article 3-bis into Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992, imposing a generational limit on jure sanguinis claims. Under this new rule, to automatically acquire Italian citizenship by descent, an applicant must have either a parent or a grandparent who was exclusively an Italian citizen at the time of the relevant birth. Claims through great-grandparents or more distant ancestors are no longer accepted through the administrative route.

The cutoff date is critical: Italian Citizenship applications submitted or consular appointments formally confirmed on or before 27 March 2025 (23:59 Rome time) are assessed under the old, unlimited-generational rules. Everything filed after that date falls under the new regulations. The Constitutional Court, in its ruling of 12 March 2026, upheld Law 74/2025, declaring constitutional challenges partly inadmissible or unfounded and confirming that the generation limit stands (please note the process is not yet over)

For minors born after the Italian Citizenship law’s enactment (24 May 2025 onward), Law 74/2025 introduces the beneficio di legge-a declaration-based route that allows parents to secure Italian Citizenship for children who do not automatically qualify. This provision addresses cases where the parent holds Italian citizenship but does not meet the “exclusively Italian” requirement for automatic transmission.

Italian Citizenship Residence-Based vs. Italian Citizenship Descent-Based Applications

The distinction between naturalization through residence and Italian citizenship by descent is fundamental. Jure sanguinis (descent-based) applications rely on proving an unbroken line from an Italian ancestor who never renounced citizenship before transmitting it. Citizenship by descent requires proof of an unbroken line of descent from an Italian ancestor, and the process centers on documentary evidence of your lineage rather than years spent living in Italy.

Naturalization by residence (Article 9 of Law 91/1992), by contrast, is based on how long you have legally lived in Italy, combined with income, language proficiency, and clean criminal records. Citizenship by residency generally requires 10 years of legal residency for non-EU citizens, though shorter periods apply to certain categories.

Importantly, residency status affects both pathways. Even for jure sanguinis applicants, establishing residence in Italy and applying through a local consulate or Italian municipality can dramatically accelerate processing compared to overseas consular applications. And for those whose descent claims now fall outside the generational limit, the naturalization path may be the most viable alternative.

Italian Citizenship Application Paths in Italy

With the legal framework established, let us examine the specific Italian Citizenship pathways available for those applying within Italy. Each path has distinct eligibility criteria, timelines, and procedural requirements.

Naturalization by Residence (10-Year Rule)

The standard route to obtain Italian citizenship through naturalization requires 10 consecutive years of legal, continuous residence in Italy for non-EU citizens. This pathway is governed by Article 9 of Law 91/1992 and was not modified by Law 74/2025-it remains fully intact.

Applying for Italian Citizenship involves establishing legal residency in Italy. You must register residency at the local comune to become a legal resident in Italy. Your residence must be legal (valid permits), continuous (no significant gaps), and registered in the anagrafe (municipal registry). Gaps in registration-so-called “buchi di residenza”-can restart or invalidate the residency count, so maintaining unbroken registration is essential.

Several visa types qualify for building residency toward naturalization. An Investor Visa, Elective Residence Visa, work permits, and digital nomad visas all contribute to the residency clock, provided they allow registration and satisfy legal residency conditions. You must apply for a residency permit if your current visa expires while waiting for Italian Citizenship .

A B1 level Italian language certificate is required for Italian Citizenship by marriage or Italian Citizenship by residency. This certification must come from a recognized testing institution. Applicants must also demonstrate stable income: the base individual threshold is approximately €8,263.31 per year, increasing to roughly €11,362.05 with a dependent spouse and an additional ~€516 per dependent child. These figures represent taxable income (redditi imponibili IRPEF) declared in the previous three tax years.

Expedited Naturalization Processes

Not everyone needs to wait a full decade. Non-EU citizens must generally wait 10 years of residency while EU citizens wait 4 years for Italian Citizenship by residency. The law provides several expedited categories:

• 4 years for citizens of EU member states
• 5 years for stateless persons, recognized refugees, adults adopted by an Italian citizen, or those who have served the Italian government for at least five years
• 3 years for foreigners born in Italy or direct descendants up to the second degree (child or grandchild) of Italian citizens by birth

You can reduce the residency requirement to 3 years if you have Italian parents or grandparents who were Italian citizens by birth. This is particularly relevant for applicants whose descent claims exceed the new generational limit under Law 74/2025: even if you cannot claim automatic Italian Citizenship through a great-grandparent, having an Italian parent or grandparent who was recognized as Italian may qualify you for the shortened residency period.

• Italian Citizenship by marriage can be applied for after 2 years of legal marriage to an Italian citizen, provided the applicant resides in Italy. This pathway also requires B1 Italian proficiency and no criminal record. For more details, see our guide on Italian citizenship by marriage.

Jure Sanguinis Applications with Italian Residency

For those who meet the new generational criteria-meaning your Italian ancestor is a parent or grandparent who held exclusively Italian citizenship-applying for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis while residing in Italy offers meaningful advantages. Processing through a local comune tends to be faster than through overburdened consulates abroad, where wait times frequently exceed two years. In-country processing may take 12 to 24 months depending on the region, backlog, and documentation completeness.

• Italian Citizenship applications require gathering birth, marriage, and death certificates of your lineage. Applicants must prove their ancestor was an Italian citizen and that citizenship was transmitted unbroken through each generation. Direct descendants born after March 17, 1861, qualify under the unified Italian state. The town clerk evaluates your application by verifying documents with foreign consulates.

You can apply for Italian Citizenship by descent even if living abroad, provided you register residency in Italy first. Many applicants choose to relocate temporarily, register at the anagrafe, submit their application through the local comune, and benefit from shorter processing timelines. The application fee for Italian citizenship is €600, and the Italian Citizenship application fee is non-refundable.

For claims through great-grandparents or more distant ancestors-now blocked by the administrative route-the judicial route remains available. This involves filing a civil court case in Italy, typically costing between €4,000 and €10,000 in attorney fees, with timelines of 18 to 30 months or more. The 1948 maternal line case also continues to require judicial petition and is unaffected by Law 74/2025.

The Beneficio di Legge for Minors Under Law 74/2025

One of the most significant and time-sensitive provisions of Law 74/2025 is the beneficio di legge, which creates a declaration-based pathway for minor children who do not automatically acquire Italian citizenship at birth under the new generational rules.

Who Qualifies

Children under 18 can obtain Italian Citizenship if a parent is Italian, but under the new law, automatic transmission no longer occurs in every case. When a child is born abroad to an Italian citizen who does not meet the “exclusively Italian” requirement-for instance, because the parent also holds foreign citizenship in a way that affects transmission-the child does not automatically become an Italian citizen at birth.

The beneficio di legge allows at least one parent who is an Italian citizen by birth, together with the other parent, to submit a declaration of intent at the Italian consulate to secure Italian Citizenship for the child. If the child is already an adult, they may submit the declaration personally.

Critical Deadlines

The deadlines under beneficio di legge are strict, and missing them means the opportunity is permanently lost:

1. For children born after 24 May 2025: Parents must make the declaration within one year of the child’s birth or from the date filiation is legally recognized
2. For children who were minors on 24 May 2025 (transitional cases): The original deadline of 31 May 2026 has been extended by Bill 1683 to 31 May 2029
3. For children who turn 18 before the transitional deadline: The declaration must be submitted personally by the now-adult child by the applicable deadline

Key Distinctions

• Italian Citizenship acquired through beneficio di legge does not operate retroactively to birth. Unlike automatic jure sanguinis, where Italian Citizenship exists from the moment of the child’s birth, beneficio di legge Italian Citizenship begins the day after the consular declaration is submitted. This distinction affects everything from the child’s legal status during the interim period to their eligibility for Italian passport issuance.

Residence in Italy is not required for the beneficio di legge declaration-consular jurisdiction covers the minor’s acquisition abroad. However, families who are already in Italy may process the declaration through local authorities.

Step-by-Step Application Procedures in Italy

With eligibility established, the practical process of applying requires methodical preparation. The steps below apply broadly across pathways, with variations noted.

Establishing Legal Residency

For naturalization applicants and many jure sanguinis applicants who choose to apply in-country, establishing legal residency is the foundational step:

1. Obtain an appropriate visa or permit: Secure the correct visa type (work permit, elective residence visa, investor visa, family reunification, etc.) before arriving. You must secure housing and declare your presence at a local police station within 8 days of arriving in Italy.
2. Register with the local anagrafe: Visit your comune’s municipal registry office to register your residence. This registration is mandatory and starts the clock for residency-based Italian Citizenship .
3. Obtain your codice fiscale: This tax identification number is required for nearly all administrative and financial transactions in Italy.
4. Maintain continuous, unbroken residence: Renew permits on time, avoid extended absences, and ensure your anagrafe registration is always current. Even small lapses are scrutinized.

Document Preparation and Legalization

All foreign documents for Italian Citizenship must be translated into Italian and legalized. The documentation process is meticulous and one of the most common sources of delay:

1. Collect all necessary documents: Gather birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates for every person in your lineage from the Italian ancestor to yourself. Applications must include original documentation supporting ancestry.
2. Apostille or authenticate: Documents from countries party to the Hague Convention require an apostille; others require embassy or consular authentication.
3. Obtain official Italian translation: All documents must be translated by a sworn translator (traduttore giurato). Errors or inconsistencies in translation can delay or block recognition.
4. Submit to the Prefettura or comune: All required documentation must be submitted at once. Incomplete submissions are returned, adding months to the process.

Applicants must schedule an appointment through the Prenot@mi system for consular submissions. Applications must be submitted to the local consulate when applying from abroad; when in Italy, submission goes through the comune or Prefettura depending on the pathway.

Application Submission Process

The following comparison clarifies the key differences across pathways:

Application Type	Processing Authority	Average Timeline	Key Requirements
Naturalization by Residence (non-EU)	Prefettura	18–30 months	10 years residency, B1 Italian, income proof
Naturalization by Residence (EU)	Prefettura	18–24 months	4 years residency, B1 Italian, income proof
Jure Sanguinis (in Italy, administrative)	Comune	12–24 months	Parent/grandparent exclusively Italian
Jure Sanguinis (judicial route)	Civil Court	18–30+ months	Attorney required, €4,000–€10,000 fees
Minors under Beneficio di Legge	Consulate/Comune	Varies	Declaration within 1 year of birth or by deadline
Expedited (3-year, Italian descent)	Prefettura	18–24 months	3 years residency, Italian parent/grandparent

The process may take up to six months to complete in straightforward cases, though complex applications-especially those involving historical documentation from other countries or judicial proceedings-often take considerably longer.

After Italian Citizenship approval, you are invited to swear an oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic. This ceremony (giuramento) takes place at the local prefecture or municipality and marks the formal acquisition of Italian Citizenship .

Common Challenges and Legal Solutions

Even well-prepared applications encounter obstacles. Knowing the common pitfalls allows you to address them proactively.

Residence Documentation Issues

Proving continuous, unbroken legal residence is one of the most scrutinized aspects of the naturalization process. Gaps in registration-whether from moving between comuni without updating the anagrafe, letting a permit lapse, or spending extended periods abroad-can invalidate years of residency.

Solution: Maintain meticulous records of every permesso di soggiorno renewal, rental contract, utility bill, and anagrafe registration. If you discover a gap, consult with an Italian expert in immigration law immediately. In some cases, supplementary evidence (employment records, tax filings, medical records) can help demonstrate continuous physical presence even when registration has a technical lapse.

Ancestral Document Complexities

For jure sanguinis applicants, proving the “exclusively Italian” status of a parent or grandparent can be difficult. Ancestor naturalization dates are hard to ascertain, foreign records may be incomplete or damaged, and the possibility of dual citizenship for ancestors complicates proving the required status at the relevant dates.

Solution: Begin with archival research in both the Italian ancestor’s comune of origin and the country of emigration. Naturalization certificates, ship manifests, and census records from other countries can establish when (or whether) an ancestor acquired foreign Citizenship . For particularly complex family history cases, engage both genealogical services and specialized legal counsel. The 1912 rule and other historical provisions may affect your specific case.

Language and Integration Requirements

The B1 Italian language certification requirement presents challenges for some applicants, particularly those with limited formal education or certain disabilities. While no broad exemptions currently exist (except for verifiable disability or similar situations), some court decisions are examining whether blanket language tests may violate constitutional rights in exceptional circumstances.

Solution: Begin language preparation well before your application. Recognized testing centers include those certified by the Italian government (CILS, CELI, PLIDA). Budget at least six months of serious study if starting from scratch. For Italian Citizenship by descent through the administrative route, the B1 requirement does not currently apply-it applies specifically to naturalization by residence and Italian Citizenship by marriage.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Applying for Italian citizenship in Italy remains the most direct route to becoming an Italian citizen, offering faster processing and immediate access to the authorities handling your case. Law 74/2025 has reshaped the landscape for descent-based claims by imposing generational limits, but it has also created the beneficio di legge pathway for eligible minors and left naturalization by residency entirely unchanged. Italian citizens can reside indefinitely in Italy and the EU, and Italian citizenship allows unrestricted travel across Europe-benefits that make the application process worthwhile despite its complexity. Italian citizenship also enhances job prospects for fluent English speakers and provides access to high-quality healthcare services. Public university fees in Italy cost 1,000 Euros or less per year, making it an attractive country for families.

Immediate next steps:

1. Assess your eligibility pathway: Determine whether you qualify for jure sanguinis (parent or grandparent), beneficio di legge (for minors), or naturalization by residence-and whether the judicial route is necessary for your descent claim
2. Establish or maintain Italian residency: If pursuing naturalization, begin the residency clock by securing your visa, registering at the anagrafe, and maintaining continuous legal presence
3. Begin document collection and legalization: Gather all birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, naturalization records, and have them apostilled, translated, and prepared for submission
4. Act on beneficio di legge deadlines: If you have minor children who may qualify, the transitional deadline of 31 May 2029 is firm-do not delay
5. Consult with specialized legal counsel: Complex cases involving Law 74/2025 provisions, multi-generational documentation, or the dual citizenship process benefit enormously from professional Italian citizenship assistance

Related topics worth exploring include Italian investment visas for establishing residency qualification, the implications of Italian dual citizenship with your country of origin, and European Union mobility rights that come with an Italian passport. Fees are payable in U.S. dollars at current exchange rates when applying through consular offices.

Professional Legal Assistance

At Bersani Law Firm & Partners, we provide Italian citizenship assistance for applications filed directly in Italy, including naturalization by residence, jure sanguinis claims under the new Law 74/2025 framework, and beneficio di legge declarations for family members with minor children. Our full service package covers eligibility assessment, document procurement and legalization, official Italian translation coordination, and representation before prefectures, comuni, and Italian courts.

For applicants navigating complex scenarios-whether involving the generational limit, proving an ancestor’s exclusively Italian status, the 1948 maternal line, or establishing residency through investor or elective residence visas-our team offers personalized case evaluation and end-to-end application management. Contact us for a consultation to determine the fastest, most viable path to attain Italian citizenship based on your nationality, family history, and current circumstances.