Italian citizenship by descent offers an avenue to acquire an Italian passport for individuals with Italian parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. Holding an Italian passport allows individuals to utilize EU citizen travel lines within Europe and grants visa-free access to 127 countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, the applicant’s ancestor must meet the following conditions:
- The ancestor must have been born in Italy or been an Italian citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth.
- The ancestor must have been alive in or after the year 1861.
Required Documentation
Applicants must gather and present specific vital records and identification documents, including:
- The birth certificate of the applicant.
- The birth certificate of the Italian ancestor.
- The applicant’s current passport and ID.
- Marriage certificates and death certificates, where applicable.
Application Timeline
The process of obtaining citizenship by descent typically spans several years. It generally takes approximately one year to secure an appointment, followed by an additional two to three years for the application to be finalized.
