Key Details:
Overview of Italian Citizenship Through Residency
Citizenship through residency offers a practical and efficient pathway to Italian dual citizenship by establishing legal residence in Italy and completing your application from within the country. Children and grandchildren of Italians can apply for citizenship after just two years of continuous legal residence in Italy, regardless of the naturalization status of their Italian parent or grandparent. This means that even if your Italian parent or grandparent became a citizen of another country, you could still apply for Italian citizenship by living in Italy for two years.
To pursue this route, applicants must establish legal residency in Italy with a valid long-term visa. Options include the Elective Residency Visa (for those with sufficient independent income), the EU Blue Card (for highly skilled workers), the Investor Visa (golden visa), or a Student Visa. Once residency is in place, applicants must remain continuously registered in their Italian commune for two years, pass the B1-level Italian language exam, and maintain a clean criminal record. Finally, the application is submitted to the applicable Italian municipality along with all relevant documents.
At each stage in the process, proper documentation and adherence to local administrative requirements are essential. ICAP makes this process easier by working with a partner legal team based in Italy who handles the necessary administrative filings, works with with local authorities, and ensures compliance with Italian legal standards. This collaboration gives applicants confidence that their case is being managed efficiently on the ground in Italy, while our U.S.-based team supports with planning, documentation, and preparation before the move. ICAP makes applying through residency a seamless process so that you can focus on immersing yourself in Italian life while your citizenship application progresses smoothly.
Reasons to Apply for Citizenship Through Residency
Steps of Applying for Citizenship Through Residency
Applying Through Residency FAQ
Children and grandchildren of Italian citizens, even if their Italian parent or grandparent naturalized in another country.
You must live in Italy continuously for at least two years to qualify for citizenship through this route. This means maintaining your legal residency in your Italian municipality without interruption. In order to maintain legal residency, you must be present in Italy for at least 183 days of the year.
Establishing residency includes securing housing, registering with the local municipality, and completing documentation with local authorities. ICAP and our partner legal team in Italy will guide you through each step, ensuring that your residency is established properly and without unnecessary delays.
Common long-term visa types include the Elective Residency Visa (for individuals with independent income), the EU Blue Card (for highly skilled workers), the Investor Visa, and the Student Visa. ICAP will help you determine which visa is most suitable for your situation.
Yes, our team can assist with your application regardless of where in Italy you choose to establish residency.
Yes, you can travel during your two year residency, however, you must be present in Italy for at least 183 days of the year to maintain your legal residency.