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If you’re a British citizen with Italian roots, you may already hold Italian citizenship without knowing it. Both Italy and the UK fully permit dual nationality, meaning you can hold two passports without sacrificing either.
For many UK-based applicants, the path to obtaining italian citizenship runs through ancestry—a great-grandparent who emigrated from Naples, a grandmother born in Sicily, or a parent who never registered their Italian status. The challenge isn’t usually eligibility. It’s navigating the application process.
This 2026 guide breaks down everything you need to know about italian british dual citizenship, including the critical decision many applicants now face: whether to wait years for an Italian consulate appointment in London or Manchester, or pursue recognition through the Italian courts.
This guide is for UK residents with Italian ancestry or connections who are interested in understanding the process, requirements, and benefits of obtaining Italian British dual citizenship. With recent legal changes and post-Brexit realities, understanding your options is more important than ever.
Dual citizenship, also known as dual nationality, is the legal status of being recognized as a citizen by two countries at the same time. This status can be acquired in several ways, including by birth in a country, descent from parents or grandparents, marriage to a citizen, or through naturalization after living in a country for a certain period. Italian dual citizenship has become increasingly sought after, especially among those with Italian ancestry, due to the significant benefits it offers.
Obtaining Italian dual citizenship opens the door to a range of advantages. As an Italian citizen, you gain full access to the European Union, allowing you to live, work, and study in any EU member state without restrictions. This is particularly valuable for those seeking greater mobility, career opportunities, or a connection to their Italian heritage. The process of obtaining italian dual citizenship can be complex, involving detailed documentation and legal requirements, but for those who qualify—whether through descent, marriage, or naturalization—the rewards are substantial. Italian dual citizenship not only strengthens your ties to Italy but also provides your family with lasting benefits for generations to come.
Both Italy and the UK allow their citizens to hold multiple nationalities. This means a british citizen can become an italian citizen without giving up their UK passport, and vice versa.
Italy recognizes dual citizenship for many countries, and most countries allow their citizens to hold dual citizenship without renouncing their original citizenship.
Since 1 January 1949, the UK has permitted multiple nationality under successive nationality acts. Italy followed suit with Law 91/1992, which removed the old rule that acquiring foreign citizenship meant losing Italian status. Today, italian dual citizenship is fully recognised, and you won’t be asked to renounce your british citizenship at any point. Similar laws in other countries make it easier for individuals to obtain and maintain dual citizenship.
There’s no special “dual citizenship” application. You simply apply for Italian citizenship through one of the available routes, and if successful, you automatically become a dual citizen holding two passports.
Here’s who typically qualifies and how:
The requirements and costs for Italian dual citizenship depend on the specific route you take and your individual circumstances.
Many UK-based applicants must now choose between applying through the Italian consulates in London or Manchester—where appointments can take years to secure—or pursuing a court application in Italy for direct recognition.
Yes. Dual British-Italian citizenship is fully legal under both countries’ laws, with no restrictions or special permissions required.
The UK imposes no limit on the number of nationalities a person can hold. The British Nationality Act 1981 contains no requirement to renounce existing citizenship when acquiring a new one, nor does acquiring British nationality force you to give up another.
Italian law has evolved similarly. Before 1992, Italians who voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship typically lost their Italian status. Law 91/1992 changed this—since then, Italian citizens generally retain their original citizenship when they naturalise abroad. This reform opened the door for descendants of Italian emigrants to reclaim their heritage without any conflict with their current nationality.
When you apply for Italian citizenship, you’re not applying for “dual citizenship” as a distinct category. You’re simply seeking recognition as an italian citizen. If granted, you automatically become a dual national by operation of law.
Italy does restrict dual citizenship with a small number of countries that don’t permit it themselves (such as China, India, Japan, and Thailand). The UK is fully compatible—there are no barriers to holding both nationalities simultaneously.
The practical result: you can hold a valid uk passport alongside an italian passport, travel freely with both, and enjoy the full rights of citizenship in each country.
There are three main legal routes to italian citizenship for British nationals: by descent (jure sanguinis), by marriage (jure matrimonii), and by residency through naturalisation.
Most British applicants with italian ancestry qualify through descent, making it the most common path. However, spouses of Italian citizens and long-term residents in Italy have well-established alternative routes that don’t require any family connection.
Each route has distinct requirements, timelines, and complexities. Understanding which applies to your situation is the essential first step.
Italian citizenship by descent—known as jure sanguinis, or “right of blood”—is the primary route for British nationals with Italian family roots. Under Italian law, citizenship passes through bloodlines indefinitely, provided the chain remains unbroken.
It is important to note the distinction between being born in Italy and acquiring citizenship by descent. Being born in Italy may grant citizenship under different legal provisions, while most British applicants rely on descent from an Italian-born ancestor.
You qualify for Italian citizenship by descent if:
For UK-based applicants, this typically means gathering required documentation such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, and death certificates for each generation in your line—both from UK records and Italian municipal archives. You’ll need the Italian ancestor’s civil status records (estratti per riassunto) from their comune of birth. Collecting these documents from family members is crucial to streamline eligibility verification and legal procedures.
As of 2025, Italy introduced reforms that tighten requirements for citizenship applications through ancestry. Eligibility is now restricted to those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent. Claims through great-grandparents are no longer accepted unless the application was submitted before March 27, 2025.
To qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, you must provide certified copies of birth, marriage, death, and naturalization certificates for yourself and your Italian ancestor(s).
The critical rule to understand: if your Italian ancestor became British (or took any other foreign citizenship) before their child was born, the chain is broken, and that child—and all subsequent descendants—did not inherit Italian citizenship. This is why obtaining naturalisation records from the Home Office is often essential.
The 1948 maternal line restriction adds complexity for many applicants. Before 1 January 1948, Italian women could not pass citizenship to their children under the law at the time. If your claim runs through a female ancestor who had children before this date, the Italian consulates cannot process your application. Instead, you must pursue recognition through a court case in Italy, challenging the historical discrimination.
Due to chronic appointment shortages at the local Italian consulate in London and Manchester, many UK-born descendants are now turning to court applications in Italy even for standard cases—a route we’ll explore in detail below.
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British nationals married to an italian citizen can apply for citizenship through marriage (jure matrimonii), regardless of ancestry.
The waiting periods are:
Residence | Standard Wait | With Minor Children |
|---|---|---|
Living in Italy | 2 years | 1 year |
Living abroad (UK) | 3 years | 1.5 years |
Since the 2018 reform, all applicants must demonstrate B1-level Italian language proficiency through a recognised certificate (CELI, CILS, PLIDA, or Roma Tre). This requirement has no exceptions.
Applications are filed online through the Italian Ministry of the Interior portal and then finalised at your local consulate—the consulate general in London or the consulate in Manchester, depending on your region. The marriage must remain valid throughout the processing period.
Civil partnerships and same-sex marriages are recognised when valid under italian law. However, cohabitation alone—no matter how long—does not qualify.
Current processing times often exceed 3-4 years from submission to completion. Applicants must also provide clean criminal record certificates and maintain the marriage throughout.
British citizens who relocate to Italy and establish long-term legal residence can eventually apply for naturalisation. Post-Brexit, this route requires 10 years of continuous legal residence for non-EU citizens—a category that now includes most British nationals.
Shorter residency periods apply to specific categories:
Key requirements include:
Applications go through the Italian Ministry of the Interior’s online portal, with processing often exceeding 3 years.
For UK-based applicants who don’t intend to live permanently in Italy, this route is generally impractical. The descent and marriage paths offer faster alternatives without requiring relocation.
Here’s the practical reality facing British applicants in 2025: securing an appointment at the Italian consulate in London or Manchester has become extraordinarily difficult. Waiting lists stretch for years, and many applicants find themselves unable to progress despite having all the required documents ready.
This bottleneck has made court applications in Italy an increasingly attractive alternative—sometimes faster and more reliable than the traditional consular route.
Both approaches seek the same outcome: recognition of your existing Italian citizenship (for descent cases) or approval of your application (for marriage/naturalisation). The legal basis is identical. Only the procedure, timeline, and costs differ.
UK-resident British nationals normally apply through one of two consulates:
Appointments are booked exclusively through the Prenot@mi online system. New slots are typically released weekly and disappear within minutes. Many applicants report spending months or even years trying to secure a booking.
In practice, you should expect:
All the documents must be apostilled by the UK Legalisation Office and translated into Italian by qualified translators. Any discrepancies in names, dates, or places will need resolution through statutory declarations or amendments.
If you’ve made persistent efforts to book an appointment without success, you may have grounds to consider a court application in Italy on the basis of unreasonable administrative delay.
The consular route remains viable for those with patience and flexibility, but the reality is that many applicants simply cannot access it within a reasonable timeframe.
When the Italian consulate in London or Manchester cannot provide appointments within a reasonable time, descendants can pursue recognition through the Italian courts—a process that often proves faster than waiting for consular availability.
This court route is particularly common in two scenarios:
How the court application process works:
Step | Description |
|---|---|
Document preparation | Full set of birth, marriage, and death certificates for entire lineage, apostilled and translated |
Legal representation | Italian lawyer engaged, power of attorney granted |
Filing | Claim submitted to competent Tribunal (often Rome for non-residents, or the ancestor’s last Italian comune) |
Hearing | Court dates scheduled, evidence reviewed |
Judgment | Sentenza (court order) issued recognising citizenship |
Registration | Judgment sent to relevant comune for civil registry transcription |
Timelines and costs:
One documented example: a British descendant who waited 4 years for a Manchester consulate slot ultimately chose the court route and obtained citizenship recognition in 10 months at a total cost of €3,200.
The Rome Tribunal handles over 20,000 jure sanguinis cases annually, with a success rate exceeding 95% for applicants with solid documentation. A favourable judgment obligates the Italian comune and consulate to register you in AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) and issue your italian passport.
Crucially, this route does not require renouncing british citizenship. You emerge as a dual citizen with full rights under both nationalities.
Need help with your Italian Citizenship by descent ? Contact us.
While general Italian citizenship rules apply universally, British-Italian situations often hinge on particular dates and UK naturalisation law. Getting these details right is essential before investing in documents and legal fees.
Verifying ancestor naturalisation:
Critical dates in Italian citizenship law:
Date | Significance |
|---|---|
17 March 1861 | Italian unification—ancestor must have been alive on or after this date |
1 July 1912 | Italian citizenship law codified rules on transmission |
1 January 1948 | Constitutional change allowing maternal transmission going forward |
1992 | Law 91/1992 permits dual citizenship without automatic loss |
24 May 2025 | New generational cutoff under Law 74/2025 takes effect |
The broken chain rule:
If your italian ancestor became British (or took any other foreign citizenship) before the birth of the next person in your line, that child did not inherit Italian citizenship. The chain is broken, and no subsequent descendants qualify through that line.
Real-world example:
Your grandfather (Nonno) was born in Naples in 1905. He migrated to London in 1930 and had your father in 1940. He naturalised as British in 1955—after your father’s birth. The line remains intact. Your father was born to an Italian citizen and inherited citizenship, which he then passed to you.
However, if Nonno had naturalised in 1938 (before your father’s birth), the chain would be broken at that point.
For 1948 maternal line cases, where your claim runs through a woman who had children before 1 January 1948, consular applications are not possible. Only the Italian courts can grant recognition by challenging the historical discrimination—a well-established legal path with high success rates.
Post-Brexit, British citizens lost automatic EU freedom of movement. Obtaining italian dual citizenship restores these rights in full—arguably the most significant practical benefit for UK-based applicants.
EU-wide travel, residence, and work rights:
As an eu citizen through Italian nationality, you can live, work, and study indefinitely in any of the 27 EU member states plus EEA countries and Switzerland. No visas, no work permits, no time limits. When ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) launches, Italian passport holders won’t need it—you’ll enter the european union on EU citizen terms.
Career and business opportunities:
Many employers in EU countries prefer or require EU citizenship for certain roles. As a dual citizen, you avoid the work-permit hurdles that now apply to British-only nationals seeking employment in France, Germany, Spain, or other nations. Self-employment and business establishment become straightforward across the bloc.
Education access:
Italian public universities charge significantly lower fees for EU citizens—typically €1,000-3,000 per year compared to international student rates. Your children gain access to the Erasmus+ programme and can study across Europe under EU terms.
Healthcare:
Registration for Italy’s national health service (SSN) becomes available to EU citizens residing in Italy. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides healthcare access while travelling in other EU countries.
Property and lifestyle:
No restrictions on purchasing property in Italy or other EU countries. No visa runs, no residency caps, no bureaucratic hurdles that apply to non-EU foreign nationals.
Family transmission:
Perhaps the longest-lasting benefit: your children under 18 automatically acquire Italian citizenship through you. They can then pass it to their own descendants, creating a multi-generational EU connection. The advantages compound across many years and extend far beyond your own lifetime.
Passport strength:
Italy’s passport ranks among the world’s most powerful, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 190+ countries. Combined with your UK passport, you have exceptional global mobility.
Holding dual citizenship means enjoying the rights and privileges of two countries at once. As an Italian-British dual citizen, you have the unique advantage of holding two passports: an Italian passport and a British passport. This dual status allows you to travel freely within the European Union using your Italian passport, while also retaining all the benefits of British citizenship, such as the right to live and work in the UK and access to British consular services abroad.
For example, with two passports, you can enter and exit Italy and other EU countries as an Italian citizen, bypassing many of the restrictions that now apply to non-EU nationals. At the same time, you maintain your rights as a British citizen, ensuring seamless travel and access to services in the UK. Dual citizenship also grants you the ability to access public services, education, and healthcare in both countries, and to pass on citizenship rights to your children.
However, dual citizenship comes with responsibilities. You are required to obey the laws of both countries, and you may have tax obligations in each, depending on your residency and income. It is important to stay informed about your duties as a dual citizen to avoid legal or financial complications. Understanding both the rights and responsibilities of dual citizenship ensures you can fully enjoy the benefits of holding both an Italian and a British passport, while remaining compliant with the laws of each country.
Obtaining italian citizenship is fundamentally a documentation exercise. Success depends on assembling a complete, properly authenticated paper trail from your italian ancestor through each generation to yourself. Gathering all the required documentation is a crucial first step to ensure your application is accepted.
Main document categories:
Category | Examples |
|---|---|
UK civil records | Full birth certificates (long form), marriage certificates, death certificates for each person in your line |
UK naturalisation records | Naturalisation certificates, Home Office status letters confirming dates |
Italian civil records | Estratto per riassunto dell’atto di nascita (birth extract) from ancestor’s Italian comune |
Criminal records | ACRO police certificate (UK), Italian criminal record if applicable |
Proof of identity | Valid uk passport, proof of current address (utility bills) |
Authentication requirements:
Most foreign documents must be:
Obtaining and maintaining dual nationality involves complex paperwork, including vital records being apostilled and translated.
Current apostille processing takes 4-6 weeks through the FCDO. Budget accordingly.
Handling discrepancies:
Name variations (Giovanni vs John), date inconsistencies, or place-name changes are common across generations. These typically require:
Sample document flow for a typical London-based jure sanguinis applicant:
The €300 consular fee is non refundable regardless of outcome, so ensure your documentation is solid before booking.
Once you obtain Italian citizenship, you’ll need to manage the practical realities of holding two passports and navigating obligations in both countries.
Passport use:
Italy recommends that dual nationals use their Italian passport when entering and leaving Italy to comply with formalities.
When traveling with citizenship or passports from other countries, entry rules, the use of automated eGates, and visa-free travel options can vary depending on the country you are entering or leaving.
ETIAS and EU travel:
When ETIAS launches (expected around 2025), British-only citizens will need authorisation to enter the Schengen area. As an Italian citizen, you bypass this requirement entirely by using your Italian passport for EU travel.
Taxation:
Italy has income tax treaties in place to avoid double taxation, so dual citizens won’t be taxed in both countries on the same income. The UK-Italy double taxation convention prevents being taxed twice on the same income. However, tax residency rules are complex and depend on where you spend the majority of your time, where your economic interests lie, and where your family is based. While a double taxation treaty exists between the UK and Italy, you may need professional tax advice to ensure compliance with tax laws.
Key considerations:
Professional tax advice is strongly recommended for anyone living, working, or investing in both countries.
Civic rights and obligations:
AIRE registration:
After obtaining citizenship, you’ll be registered with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero) through your local consulate. This registration is mandatory for Italian citizens residing abroad and enables voting, civil status updates, and passport renewals.
The path to dual British and Italian citizenship is document-heavy and time-consuming, but achievable for many UK residents with Italian roots. Thousands of British nationals successfully obtain recognition each year.
Your action sequence:
Because of severe appointment shortages at the Italian consulates, decide early whether to persist with consular booking or pivot to the court route. Many applicants waste years waiting for slots that never materialise.
Consider obtaining a tailored legal opinion before investing heavily in documents—especially if you suspect a 1948 maternal line issue or uncertain naturalisation history. A preliminary assessment costing £500-1,000 can save significant time and expense.
Dual Italian-British citizenship secures EU mobility and opportunities not just for you, but for your children and their descendants. The process is lengthy, but the outcome creates lasting benefits across generations.
Start mapping your family tree today. Your Italian citizenship may already be yours—you just need to claim it.
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