Living in Italy can be a viable route to obtain Italian citizenship by descent, provided the applicant meets the eligibility criteria set out by the recent Italian decree. The decree does not alter the procedural steps for filing a citizenship‑by‑descent application in Italy, but it does introduce a new central authority in Rome that will eventually take over consular processing abroad. Until that transition occurs, municipalities (comuni) continue to handle applications submitted by residents.
Eligibility under the Italian Decree
- Applicants must satisfy the same lineage requirements that existed before the decree (e.g., an Italian parent, grandparent, or great‑grandparent who did not renounce citizenship before the birth of the next generation).
- The decree imposes an age limit for applicants; those who exceed it must use alternative routes (consular filing or court petition).
- The decree’s requirements are still subject to legal challenges, so final eligibility may evolve.
Applying for Citizenship by Descent from Within Italy
- Establish legal residence in an Italian municipality.
- Obtain a valid lease (not a hotel or Airbnb) and register the address with the local comune.
- Prepare documentation:
- All civil‑status records (birth, marriage, death certificates) must be authenticated, translated into Italian, and legalized.
- Submit the application to the Ufficio Cittadinanza of the municipality where you reside.
- Maintain continuous residence in that municipality for the duration of the process; moving abroad or to another comune can cause the municipality to lose jurisdiction.
- After approval, obtain an Italian identity card and passport locally; you may later register with AIRE (the registry of Italians abroad) if you choose to return to your country of origin.
Work Rights During the Application
- The initial residence permit issued for citizenship‑by‑descent applicants can be converted into a work permit.
- This conversion allows the applicant to be employed while the municipal office processes the citizenship request.
- Once citizenship is granted, employment becomes straightforward under full Italian citizen status.
Citizenship by Residence (Two‑Year Path)
For individuals whose lineage does not meet the strict descent criteria but who have an Italian father or grandfather, a separate route exists:
- Residency requirement: Two continuous years of legal residence in Italy.
- Language requirement: Pass a B1‑level Italian language test and obtain the corresponding certificate.
- Visa: Hold a visa that permits long‑term stay (e.g., study, work, or elective residence visa).
- Application authority: Submit the request to the Ministry of the Interior, not the local municipality.
- Processing time: Typically 2–3 years, longer than the municipal route for descent‑based citizenship.
- Outcome: Citizenship is granted from the date of approval, without retroactive recognition.
Decision Criteria and Risks
- Certainty of eligibility: If you are fully confident that you meet the decree’s descent requirements and fall within the age limit, relocating to Italy to apply is advisable.
- Uncertainty: If lineage documentation is ambiguous (e.g., unclear naturalization dates of ancestors), moving before confirming eligibility may result in a denied application and loss of residence status.
- Legal challenges: Ongoing disputes over the decree could modify eligibility thresholds; staying informed of legislative updates is essential.
- Central authority transition: The new Rome‑based office will eventually replace consular processing abroad, but municipal processing will remain for residents until the transition is complete.
Practical Advice
- Verify all ancestral records and obtain certified translations before moving.
- Secure a long‑term lease and register with the comune promptly to establish residency.
- Consider consulting a qualified immigration lawyer to assess eligibility, especially in borderline cases.
- If you cannot meet the descent criteria or age limit, explore the two‑year residence pathway or file a court petition if you have evidence of a pending application before the decree took effect.
By adhering to these steps and understanding the distinctions between the descent and residence routes, applicants can make an informed decision about pursuing Italian citizenship while living in Italy.
