Contents
- Why obtain Italian citizenship in 2026
- All paths to Italian citizenship: from naturalization to marriage
- Naturalization - Italian citizenship after 10 years of residence
- Italian citizenship by marriage: timelines and requirements 2026
- By descent (jure sanguinis) - Italian citizenship by blood
- Complete list of documents for Italian citizenship
- Processing times for citizenship applications in 2026
- Dual citizenship: Italy, Russia, Ukraine
- After obtaining citizenship: oath, passport, obligations
- Conclusions
Why obtain Italian citizenship in 2026
Main article on the topic: Residence permits: all types
Navigation through all guides - knowledge base.
What does Italian citizenship actually give you — and is it worth spending years to obtain it?
Italian citizenship is not just a nice passport with the Republic’s coat of arms. It is an EU passport that opens visa-free access to 190+ countries. Italian citizenship is among the top five strongest passports in the world, and in 2026 this is especially valuable for Russian-speaking immigrants whose travel options with their original passports have significantly decreased.
What Italian citizenship specifically provides:
- Freedom of movement within the EU - the right to live, work and study in any European Union country without residence permits or special authorizations
- Visa-free travel to 190+ countries - including the USA (ESTA), the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia
- Voting rights - the right to vote in Italian elections and for the European Parliament, even when residing abroad
- Pension - an Italian pension after 20 years of contributions and reaching retirement age
- No more residence permits forever - no more questura visits, permesso renewals, fear of denial
- Full social protection - access to all benefits, NASPI, assegno sociale without restrictions
- Transmission by inheritance - your children automatically acquire Italian citizenship
On pensions for citizens
“One of the advantages of citizenship is the Italian pension. 20 years of contributions as a citizen plus reaching retirement age — and you may receive from around €700 per month. You can also spend this pension in less expensive countries — for example, live in Portugal.”
Member of an immigration community
EU passport vs residence permit
With a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) you are tied to Italy. With citizenship — you are a citizen of the whole European Union. Want to move to Germany or Spain — simply register and live. No visas, quotas, waiting.
For many immigrants from Russia and the CIS, Italian citizenship became a strategic objective after 2022. A second passport is not a luxury but insurance. And Italian citizenship in that sense is one of the best options in the world.
Practical view
“For me, it’s not even mainly about visa-free travel. The main thing is you stop depending on the questura. No more renewals, no queues for permesso, no stress with every trip. You just live normally.”
From a discussion in an immigration chat
All paths to Italian citizenship: naturalization, marriage, descent
What are the ways to obtain Italian citizenship — and which one suits you?
Italian law provides several routes to citizenship. The choice depends on your situation — whether you have Italian roots, a spouse who is a citizen, or you plan the long road through naturalization.
The most common route. 10 years of legal residence in Italy with a residence permit, then application via the portal. For EU citizens — 4 years, for refugees — 5 years, for stateless persons — 5 years.
Citizenship by marriage is the fastest route. 2 years of residency in Italy after the wedding or 3 years if the couple lives abroad. Periods are halved if there are children.
If you have an Italian ancestor — you may be eligible for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). There are no generational limits, but there is a caveat concerning the female line before 1948.
The President of the Republic may grant citizenship for outstanding services to Italy. Investments do not grant citizenship directly — only a residence permit (investor visa), which later may lead to naturalization.
Italy DOES NOT sell citizenship
Unlike Malta or Cyprus, Italy does not have a "citizenship by investment" program. The investor visa only grants a residence permit. From that to citizenship — at least 10 years of residence. Do not trust intermediaries promising an Italian passport for money in 1–2 years.
Basic route
“Citizenship after 10 years of residence. Steps: obtain a residence permit, live 5 years, get long-term residence (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo). Then live another 5 years — and apply. This is if you have no Italian spouse.”
Community participant, discussion of naturalization timelines
Naturalization - Italian citizenship after 10 years of residence
What counts toward these 10 years, what are the income and language requirements, and why in practice does the process take 13–14 years?
Naturalization is the main path to Italian citizenship for most immigrants from Russia and the CIS in 2026. The law requires 10 years of continuous legal residence in Italy. In practice, from the first residence permit to receiving the passport it takes 13–14 years accounting for processing times.
Requirements for naturalization
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✓10 years of continuous residence
With a valid residence permit or long-term resident status. Absences are allowed but not more than 6 consecutive months and not more than 10 months total over 10 years. For EU citizens the period is 4 years.
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✓Sufficient income
Minimum around €8,264 per year for a single person (amount is subject to revision). For families — higher. Income is considered for the last 3 years.
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✓Italian language knowledge at B1 level
Certificate from an accredited center (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, Roma Tre). Mandatory since 2018.
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✓No criminal record
Clean criminal history in Italy and in the country of origin. Administrative fines usually do not prevent citizenship.
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✓Regular tax payments
No outstanding debts to the Agenzia delle Entrate. Tax returns for recent years.
10 years means 10 years without breaks
If your residence permit expired and there was a break in legal status — the count restarts. Even if you lived in Italy but formally did not have a valid permesso — those periods are not counted. Keep track of renewals.
Stages of naturalization
“In order: get a residence permit, live 5 years, apply for long-term residence (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo). Then live another 5 years — and apply for citizenship. Total minimum 10 years, but in practice more because processing takes another 2–3 years.”
From a discussion in an immigration community
How much you need to earn
The minimum income for naturalization is calculated based on the assegno sociale. In 2026 the guidelines are:
| Household composition | Minimum annual income |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | ~8 264 EUR |
| Family of 2 | ~11 570 EUR |
| Family of 3 | ~14 876 EUR |
| Family of 4 | ~18 182 EUR |
| Each additional family member | +~3 306 EUR |
Spouse’s income is counted
When applying for naturalization you can combine the incomes of both spouses. If one of you is unemployed — it is not a problem, the important thing is the family’s combined income exceeds the minimum.
B1 exam — what to take
Since December 2018 Italian language knowledge at B1 is a mandatory condition for applying for citizenship. Certificates from four accredited centers are accepted:
The most popular option among immigrants. The exam is held 2–3 times a year. Cost about €100–150.
An alternative to CILS. The format differs slightly but is recognized equally.
Another option. Test centers are available in most major cities.
Less common but fully recognized option.
Who is exempt from the B1 exam
If you graduated from an Italian school or university, or hold a permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo (long-term resident status) — the B1 exam for citizenship may not be required. However, for long-term residence you already took an A2 test, and for citizenship B1 is specifically required.
Italian citizenship by marriage: timelines and requirements 2026
How many years after marriage to an Italian can you apply for citizenship — and what do you need to prepare?
Italian citizenship by marriage is the fastest lawful route to an Italian passport. Unlike naturalization (10 years), a spouse of an Italian citizen can apply already after 2 years of living together in Italy or after 3 years if the couple lives abroad.
Main timelines
Timelines are halved if the couple has common or adopted children. That means — living in Italy with a child you can apply for citizenship by marriage already after 1 year.
Requirements for application
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✓Valid marriage
At the time of application and at the time of decision the marriage must be valid. Divorce before the decision = refusal.
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✓Italian language knowledge B1
Same requirement as for naturalization. Certificate CILS, CELI, PLIDA or Roma Tre.
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✓No criminal record
Clean criminal history. Certain categories of crimes (terrorism, mafia) are an absolute bar.
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✓Co-habitation
Spouses must be registered at the same address (residenza). Verified through the anagrafe.
Application via portal
The application for citizenship by marriage is submitted online via the portal https://portale.interno.gov.it. An electronic signature or SPID is required. All documents are uploaded digitally.
Experience applying by marriage
“We applied for citizenship by marriage through the portal. We lived in Italy for 2 years, the child was six months old — we applied one year after the wedding. We collected documents for a month and uploaded everything to the portal. Then — waiting.”
Participant in an immigration community
Sham marriage = criminal case
Italian police check the authenticity of the marriage. They may come to your home unannounced, talk to neighbors, check joint accounts. A sham marriage to obtain citizenship is a criminal offense in Italy with real prison terms.
Applying from abroad
If the couple lives outside Italy, the application can be submitted through the Italian consulate in the country of residence. The period in this case is 3 years (or 1.5 years if children are present). Consulates work slower than the Prefettura inside Italy, so actual waiting may be longer.
From abroad
“We don’t live in Italy, applied via the consulate. Three years after the wedding — we applied. They processed it for almost two years. All in all from the wedding to the passport — five years. But we don’t regret it because moving to Italy to speed up the process was not an option for us.”
From a community discussion
By descent (jure sanguinis) - Italian citizenship by blood
Do you have Italian roots — and how to verify this? What documents are needed, and what is the catch with the female line before 1948?
Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis — “by right of blood”) is a unique opportunity for descendants of Italian emigrants. Italy is one of the few countries without a limit on the number of generations. Did your great-great-grandfather leave Calabria in 1890? You may be entitled to Italian citizenship.
How it works
The principle is simple: if your Italian ancestor never renounced Italian citizenship before the birth of the next generation in the chain — you inherit that citizenship. The transmission chain must be continuous.
Determine who in your family emigrated from Italy. Check that they didn’t renounce Italian citizenship (naturalization in another country before 1992 meant loss of Italian citizenship).
Birth, marriage and death certificates for each generation in the chain from the ancestor to you. All documents must have an apostille and translation into Italian.
From the comune (municipality) of the town where your ancestor came from, request their birth certificate (atto di nascita). This will confirm that they were an Italian citizen.
Through the Italian consulate in your country or directly at the comune in Italy (if you reside there). Consulates often have multi-year queues.
Restriction regarding the female line before 1948
Before 1 January 1948 Italian women did not transmit citizenship to their children. If your chain includes a woman whose child was born before 1948 — the standard consular route is not possible. You need to file a court case in Italy (Tribunale di Roma). These cases are usually won but require a lawyer and cost from €3,000 to €5,000.
Experience with jure sanguinis
“My maternal grandfather was born in Naples in 1925, then emigrated to Argentina. He never renounced citizenship. I collected documents for one and a half years — certificates from each country, apostilles, translations. In the end I received an Italian passport without living in Italy.”
From a discussion in an immigration community
For Russian speakers
Among immigrants from Russia and Ukraine the jure sanguinis route is less common but not excluded. In Odessa, Crimea and other regions there lived Italian colonists. If you have reason to believe there were Italians in your family tree — it is worth checking via civil registry offices and archives.
Complete list of documents for Italian citizenship 2026
Which documents must be collected to apply for citizenship — and which of them cause the most problems?
The document package depends on the basis (naturalization, marriage, descent), but the basic set for naturalization and marriage largely overlaps. All documents for Italian citizenship are submitted via the portal in electronic form.
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✓Birth certificate
With apostille and certified translation into Italian. If from the Russian Federation — apostille from the Ministry of Justice, translation by a sworn translator.
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✓Certificate of no criminal record
From the country of origin (Russia, Ukraine) and from Italy (certificato penale). Russian certificate — via MFC or Gosuslugi, with apostille and translation. Validity period — 6 months!
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✓B1 Italian language certificate
CILS, CELI, PLIDA or Roma Tre. Indefinite validity — if taken 5 years ago it is still valid.
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✓Codice fiscale
Tax code — you already have it if you live in Italy.
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✓Proof of income
Tax returns (CUD, Modello Unico, 730) for the last 3 years. Income must meet or exceed the minimum threshold.
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✓Certificato di residenza
Proof of registration at the place of residence in Italy. Obtained from the anagrafe of the comune.
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✓Certificato di stato di famiglia
Family composition certificate from the anagrafe.
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✓Copy of valid residence permit or long-term resident card
Permesso di soggiorno or carta di soggiorno.
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✓Marca da bollo of €16
Revenue stamp. Purchased at a tabaccheria.
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✓Receipt of payment €250
Contributo di €250 — application fee for processing. Paid via bollettino postale.
Certificate of no criminal record from Russia in 2026
Given the current geopolitical situation, obtaining a certificate of no criminal record from Russia may be difficult for those living abroad. Options: through a trusted person in Russia, via Gosuslugi (if you have access), via the Russian consulate in Italy. Validity — 6 months, so do not order it too early.
Additionally when applying by marriage
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✓Marriage certificate
Italian: certificato/estratto di matrimonio. If the marriage was concluded abroad — with apostille and translation, transcribed in the comune.
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✓Documents of the citizen spouse
Carta d'identita or passport of the Italian spouse. Certificato di cittadinanza italiana.
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✓Birth certificates of children
If there are common children — to shorten the timelines by half.
Document advice
“The biggest headache is the certificate of no criminal record. It is valid for 6 months, while processing takes years. But you submit it once when applying. If they later ask to update it — then you will redo it. Don’t panic in advance.”
From a practical discussion in the community
Processing times for citizenship applications in 2026
1024 days by law — but how long in practice? And what to do if the Prefettura is silent?
Processing times are the most painful topic for applicants for Italian citizenship. By law (Decreto legge 113/2018) the Prefettura must decide within 730 days (24 months). Later the period was increased to 1095 days (36 months), but in practice many wait even longer.
Uploading documents to portale.interno.gov.it. Payment of €250.
The Prefettura of residence checks documents. They may request additional papers.
Background checks, absence of criminal record, real residence. Sometimes they visit your home.
The final decision is made by the Ministero dell'Interno. This is the longest stage.
Publication of the decree granting citizenship in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.
Within 6 months after publication of the decree you must take the oath in the comune. Otherwise citizenship is annulled.
Practical timelines in 2026
Actual processing times in 2026 — from 2 to 4 years. It depends on the Prefettura: in Milan and Rome queues are longer, in small towns — faster. If more than 1095 days have passed without an answer — you can file a ricorso (appeal) to accelerate.
On real timelines
“In our Prefettura in Naples friends waited 4 years. Applied in 2020, received the decreto at the end of 2024. By law they should have decided in 2 years. But there’s nobody to complain to — everyone waits.”
From a discussion about timelines in the community
How to speed up the process
After the legal period (1095 days) has expired you can submit a diffida (formal demand) to the Prefettura requiring completion within 30 days. If that fails — ricorso to the TAR (administrative court). Lawyer fees €1,500–3,000, but courts almost always decide in favor of the applicant.
Dual citizenship: Italy, Russia, Ukraine
Do you need to renounce your current passport when obtaining the Italian one? And what obligations arise?
Good news: Italy fully allows dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your existing passport when obtaining Italian citizenship. But your other country may have its own rules.
Italy’s position
“The Italian Republic allows dual citizenship. Renunciation of an existing nationality is not required — neither for naturalization, nor for citizenship by marriage, nor by jure sanguinis.”
From a discussion on legal aspects of dual citizenship
Russia and dual citizenship
Russia does not prohibit dual citizenship, but requires notification to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) about obtaining another citizenship or residence permit within 60 days after entering Russia. The penalty for failing to notify — up to 200,000 rubles or up to 400 hours of compulsory labor.
MVD notification — mandatory
If you are a Russian citizen and obtained Italian citizenship — you must notify the MVD within 60 days after your next entry into Russia. The notification form is submitted personally or via Russian Post. Failure to notify is criminal under Art. 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Ukraine and dual citizenship
The Constitution of Ukraine formally recognizes only one citizenship. However, in practice there is no mechanism for automatic loss of Ukrainian citizenship upon obtaining a foreign one. Ukrainians who obtained an Italian passport usually continue to use both.
Situation in 2026
Ukraine is discussing changes to citizenship legislation that could legalize dual citizenship. Follow updates. At the moment dual citizenship is formally not recognized, but in practice there are no sanctions for having it.
Practical consequences of dual citizenship
Enter Italy/EU with your Italian passport, enter Russia with your Russian one. Do not show both passports simultaneously.
Citizenship does not determine tax residency. You pay taxes where you live more than 183 days a year. Two citizenships do not mean double taxation.
Italy abolished mandatory conscription. Russia has not. Dual citizenship does not exempt you from obligations to each country.
After obtaining Italian citizenship: oath, passport, obligations
What happens after approval of the application — and what steps must you take to get an Italian passport?
When the Ministero dell’Interno approves the application, a decreto di concessione is published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. But that is not the end — you must take the oath and complete paperwork.
Within 6 months after publication of the decreto you must take the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic and the Constitution. The oath takes place in the comune of residence. It is a ceremonial procedure — come dressed appropriately.
If you do not take the oath within 6 months — the decreto is annulled and you must start over!
After the oath go to the anagrafe of the comune to obtain a carta d'identita as an Italian citizen. The old residence permit is no longer needed — surrender it.
Apply for a passport through the Questura or online via the Polizia di Stato website. Cost — €116. Validity — 10 years.
If after obtaining citizenship you live outside Italy — you must register in AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero). This gives the right to vote from abroad.
Voting rights
As an Italian citizen you can vote in parliamentary elections, referendums and European Parliament elections. If you live abroad and are registered in AIRE — you vote by mail. If in Italy — at the polling station where you are registered.
After the oath
“After the oath they congratulate you and give you a paper. Then you go to the anagrafe for the carta d'identita, then to the questura for the passport. The whole process from oath to passport in hand — 2–3 weeks. And then a strange feeling — you are no longer an immigrant.”
Community member, naturalization in 2024
Obligations of an Italian citizen
Citizenship grants rights but also brings obligations:
- Tax obligations - if you are a tax resident of Italy, you must declare worldwide income
- Participation in jury - you may be summoned as a juror
- Compliance with laws - a serious crime may lead to loss of citizenship if it was obtained by naturalization
- Notification of dual citizenship - to the country of your original citizenship (Russia — notification to the MVD)
Assegno sociale for citizens
As an Italian citizen you are entitled to the assegno sociale (social allowance) — even without sufficient work contributions. Requirement: 10 years of residence in Italy and reaching retirement age. Amount — about €534 per month in 2026.
About assegno sociale
“To receive assegno sociale you need to live in Italy for 10 years. This is not a contribution-based pension — it is a minimal social payment for those who lack contributions. Citizenship is mandatory.”
From a discussion on pension provision
Conclusions
Main routes: naturalization (10 years of residence), citizenship by marriage (2–3 years) and jure sanguinis (Italian roots). Each path has its own timelines and requirements, but all are workable.
By law 1095 days, in practice up to 4 years. Be prepared to wait. After the deadline — submit a diffida and ricorso to court.
Certificate of no criminal record, B1 certificate, proof of income — all require time. Start gathering six months before applying.
Italy does not require renunciation of previous citizenship. Russia requires notification to the MVD. Ukraine formally does not recognize dual citizenship, but there are no practical sanctions.
Visa-free access to 190+ countries, the freedom to live and work in the EU, pension rights, transmission of citizenship to children. It is worth every year of waiting.