Visas and Residence Permits in Italy
Contents
- Why Italian Citizenship Matters in 2026
- All Paths to Italian Citizenship: Naturalization, Marriage, and Descent
- Naturalization - Italian Citizenship After 10 Years of Residency
- Italian Citizenship by Marriage: Timelines and Requirements 2026
- Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) - Citizenship by Blood
- Complete Document Checklist for Italian Citizenship 2026
- Italian Citizenship Application Processing Times in 2026
- Dual Citizenship Italy: Russia, Ukraine, and Beyond
- After Receiving Citizenship: Oath, Passport, and Obligations
- Conclusions
Why Italian Citizenship Matters in 2026
What does Italian citizenship actually give you - and is it worth years of effort?
Italian citizenship is more than a passport with the Republic’s coat of arms. It is an EU passport that grants visa-free access to 190+ countries worldwide. Italian citizenship ranks among the top five most powerful passports on the planet, and in 2026 this is especially valuable for immigrants whose home-country passports have become far more restrictive.
Here is what Italian citizenship gives you:
- Freedom of movement across the EU - the right to live, work, and study in any European Union country without a residence permit
- Visa-free travel to 190+ countries - including the US (ESTA), the UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia
- Voting rights - the right to vote in Italian and European Parliament elections, even while living abroad
- Pension - an Italian pension after 20 years of contributions and reaching retirement age
- No more residence permits - no more questura visits, permesso renewals, or fear of rejection
- Full social protection - unrestricted access to all benefits including NASPI and assegno sociale
- Passed to your children - your children automatically receive Italian citizenship
On pension benefits for citizens
"One of the big advantages of citizenship is the Italian pension. Twenty years of contributions as a citizen plus reaching retirement age - and you get at least 700 euros a month. And you can spend that pension in cheaper countries - live in Portugal, for example."
Community member
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 entire European Union. Want to move to Germany or Spain? Just register and live there. No visas, no quotas, no waiting.
For many immigrants, Italian citizenship has become a strategic goal since 2022. A second passport is not a luxury - it is a safety net. And Italian citizenship is one of the best options in the world.
A practical perspective
"For me, the main thing is not even visa-free travel. The main thing is you stop depending on the questura. No more renewals, no more lines for a permesso, no more stress every time you travel. You just live normally."
Immigration forum discussion
All Paths to Italian Citizenship: Naturalization, Marriage, and Descent
What are the ways to get Italian citizenship - and which one is right for you?
Italian law provides several paths to citizenship. Your choice depends on your situation - whether you have Italian roots, a spouse who is an Italian citizen, or plan to take the long road through naturalization.
The most common path. 10 years of legal residency in Italy with a residence permit, followed by an application through the government portal. For EU citizens - 4 years, for refugees - 5 years, for stateless persons - 5 years.
Italian citizenship by marriage is the fastest legal path. 2 years of residency in Italy after the wedding, or 3 years if the couple lives abroad. These timelines are halved if you have children.
If you have an Italian ancestor, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship by descent. There is no generational limit, but there is a catch involving the female line before 1948.
The President of the Republic can grant citizenship for outstanding service to Italy. Investment alone does not lead directly to citizenship - only to a residence permit (investor visa), which then leads to naturalization.
Italy Does NOT Sell Citizenship
Unlike Malta or Cyprus, Italy has no "citizenship by investment" program. An investor visa grants only a residence permit. From there, citizenship requires at least 10 years of residency. Do not trust intermediaries promising an Italian passport for money in 1-2 years.
The standard path
"Citizenship after 10 years of residency. The steps: get a residence permit, live for 5 years, apply for permanent residence, live another 5 years - and submit your application. That is the simplest version, without an Italian spouse."
Community member, discussion on naturalization timelines
Naturalization - Italian Citizenship After 10 Years of Residency
What counts toward those 10 years, what are the income and language requirements, and why does the process actually take 13-14 years?
Naturalization is the primary path to Italian citizenship for most immigrants in 2026. The law requires 10 years of continuous legal residency on Italian territory. In practice, from your first residence permit to holding your passport, the process takes 13-14 years when you factor in processing times.
Italian Citizenship Requirements for Naturalization
-
✓10 years of continuous residency
With a valid residence permit or long-term EU residence permit. Absences are allowed, but no more than 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months total over 10 years. For EU citizens, the requirement is 4 years.
-
✓Sufficient income
Approximately 8,264 euros per year minimum for a single applicant (the amount is periodically reviewed). Higher for families. Income from the last 3 years is considered.
-
✓Italian language proficiency at B1 level
A certificate from an accredited center (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, Roma Tre). Mandatory since 2018.
-
✓No criminal record
A clean criminal history in both Italy and your country of origin. Administrative fines typically do not pose a problem.
-
✓Regular tax payments
No outstanding debts with the Agenzia delle Entrate. Tax returns from recent years required.
10 years means 10 years without gaps
If your residence permit expired and there was a gap in your legal status, the clock resets. Even if you were physically living in Italy but did not have a valid permesso di soggiorno (residence permit), those periods do not count. Stay on top of renewals.
The naturalization stages
"Here is the order: get a residence permit, live for 5 years, apply for permanent residence (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo). Then live another 5 years and submit your citizenship application. That is 10 years minimum, but in practice more, because processing takes another 2-3 years."
Immigration forum discussion
How Much Income Do You Need
The minimum income for naturalization is based on the assegno sociale. For 2026, the benchmarks are:
| Family Size | 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 |
Spousal income counts
When applying for naturalization, you can combine the incomes of both spouses. If one of you is not working, that is not a problem - what matters is that the total household income exceeds the minimum.
The B1 Language Exam - What to Expect
Since December 2018, B1-level Italian proficiency has been a mandatory requirement for Italian citizenship applications. Certificates from four accredited centers are accepted:
The most popular option among immigrants. The exam is held 2-3 times per year. Cost is approximately 100-150 EUR.
An alternative to CILS. The format differs slightly, but it is equally recognized.
Another option. Testing centers are available in most major cities.
Less common, but fully recognized.
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 EU residence permit), you may be exempt from the B1 requirement for citizenship. However, note that for long-term residence you only needed A2 - for citizenship, B1 is required.
Italian Citizenship by Marriage: Timelines and Requirements 2026
How soon after marrying an Italian citizen can you apply for citizenship - and what do you need to prepare?
Italian citizenship by marriage is the fastest legal path to an Italian passport. Unlike naturalization (10 years), the spouse of an Italian citizen can apply after just 2 years of living together in Italy, or after 3 years if the couple lives abroad.
Key Timelines
These timelines are halved if the couple has biological or adopted children. This means that if you live in Italy with a child, you can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage after just 1 year.
Requirements for the Application
-
✓Valid marriage
The marriage must be valid at the time of application and at the time of the decision. Divorce before receiving a decision means denial.
-
✓B1 Italian proficiency
The same requirement as for naturalization. Certificate from CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or Roma Tre.
-
✓No criminal record
A clean criminal history. Certain categories of crimes (terrorism, organized crime) are an absolute bar.
-
✓Cohabitation
Both spouses must be registered at the same address (residenza). This is verified through the anagrafe (civil registry).
Online application through the portal
The Italian citizenship by marriage application is submitted online through https://portale.interno.gov.it. You need a digital signature or SPID. All documents are uploaded digitally.
Experience applying by marriage
"We applied for citizenship by marriage through the portal. We had been living in Italy for 2 years, our baby was six months old - so we applied one year after the wedding. It took a month to gather documents, then we uploaded everything to the portal. After that, the waiting began."
Community member
Sham marriages are a criminal offense
Italian police investigate whether marriages are genuine. They may show up at your home without warning, talk to neighbors, and check joint bank accounts. A sham marriage to obtain citizenship is a criminal offense in Italy with real prison sentences.
Applying from Abroad
If the couple lives outside Italy, the application can be submitted through the Italian consulate in their country of residence. The required timeline in this case is 3 years (or 1.5 years if there are children). Consulates tend to work more slowly than the Prefettura inside Italy, so actual waiting times may be longer.
From abroad
"We live outside Italy and applied through the consulate. Three years after the wedding, we submitted our documents. Processing took almost two years. So from the wedding to the passport - five years total. But we have no regrets, because moving to Italy just to speed things up was not an option for us."
Immigration forum discussion
Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) - Citizenship by Blood
Do you have Italian roots - and how can you verify? 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 with no generational limit. Your great-great-grandfather left Calabria in 1890? You may have a right to Italian citizenship.
How It Works
The principle is straightforward: if your Italian ancestor never renounced Italian citizenship before the next generation in the chain was born, you inherit that citizenship. The chain of transmission must be unbroken.
Determine which family member came from Italy. Check whether they renounced Italian citizenship (naturalizing in another country before 1992 meant losing Italian citizenship).
Birth, marriage, and death certificates for every generation in the chain from your ancestor to you. All documents must have an apostille and a certified translation into Italian.
Contact the comune (municipality) of your ancestor's hometown to request their birth certificate. This confirms they were an Italian citizen.
Through the Italian consulate in your country or directly at the comune in Italy (if you live there). Consulates often have waiting lists that stretch several years.
The female line restriction before 1948
Before January 1, 1948, Italian women could not transmit citizenship to their children. If your chain includes a woman whose child was born before 1948, the standard consular path is not available. You must file a court case in Italy (Tribunale di Roma). These cases are almost always won, but they require a lawyer and cost between 3,000 and 5,000 EUR.
Jure sanguinis experience
"My grandfather on my mother's side was born in Naples in 1925, then moved to Argentina. He never renounced his citizenship. I spent a year and a half gathering documents - certificates from each country, apostilles, translations. But in the end, I got my Italian passport without ever living in Italy."
Immigration forum discussion
For immigrants from Russia and Ukraine
The jure sanguinis path is less common among immigrants from Russia and Ukraine, but it is not impossible. Italian colonists once lived in the Odessa, Crimea, and other regions. If you have reason to believe there were Italians in your family tree, it is worth checking through civil registries and archives.
Complete Document Checklist for Italian Citizenship 2026
What documents do you need to gather for your citizenship application - and which ones cause the most problems?
The required documents depend on the basis (naturalization, marriage, descent), but the core set for naturalization and marriage overlaps significantly. All documents for Italian citizenship are submitted electronically through the government portal.
-
✓Birth certificate
With an apostille and a certified translation into Italian. If from Russia, the apostille is issued by the Ministry of Justice; the translation must be done by a sworn translator.
-
✓Criminal record certificate
From your country of origin and from Italy (certificato penale). Valid for 6 months only!
-
✓B1 Italian language certificate
CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or Roma Tre. It does not expire - if you passed it 5 years ago, it is still valid.
-
✓Codice fiscale (Italian tax ID)
Your tax identification number - you already have one if you live in Italy.
-
✓Proof of income
Tax returns (CUD, Modello Unico, 730) for the last 3 years. Income must meet the minimum threshold.
-
✓Certificato di residenza
Proof of registration at your address in Italy. Obtained from the anagrafe (civil registry) of your comune.
-
✓Certificato di stato di famiglia
Family composition certificate from the anagrafe.
-
✓Copy of valid residence permit
Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) or carta di soggiorno (residence card).
-
✓Marca da bollo (revenue stamp) - 16 EUR
A revenue stamp. Purchased at any tabaccheria (tobacco shop).
-
✓Payment receipt for 250 EUR
Contributo di 250 EUR - the government fee for processing the application. Paid via bollettino postale.
Criminal record certificate from Russia in 2026
Given the current geopolitical situation, obtaining a criminal record certificate from Russia can be difficult for those living abroad. Options include: through a trusted representative in Russia, through the Gosuslugi portal (if you have access), or through the Russian consulate in Italy. The certificate is valid for 6 months, so do not order it too early.
Additional Documents for Citizenship by Marriage
-
✓Marriage certificate
In Italian: certificato/estratto di matrimonio. If the marriage took place abroad, it must have an apostille and translation, and be transcribed at the comune.
-
✓Spouse's documents
The Italian spouse's carta d'identita or passport. Certificato di cittadinanza italiana.
-
✓Children's birth certificates
If you have children together - needed to qualify for the reduced timeline.
Advice on documents
"The biggest headache is the criminal record certificate. It is only valid for 6 months, but the review process takes years. You submit it once when you file your application. If they later ask you to update it, you deal with it then. Do not panic in advance."
Community member
Italian Citizenship Application Processing Times in 2026
The law says 1,024 days - but how long does it actually take? And what can you do if the Prefettura goes silent?
Processing times are the most painful topic for Italian citizenship applicants. By law (Decreto legge 113/2018), the Prefettura must make a decision within 730 days (24 months). The deadline was later extended to 1,095 days (36 months), and in practice many people wait even longer.
Upload documents to portale.interno.gov.it. Pay the 250 EUR fee.
The Prefettura at your place of residence reviews the documents. They may request additional paperwork.
Background check, criminal record verification, confirmation of actual residency. They may visit your home.
The final decision is made by the Ministero dell'Interno. This is the longest stage.
Publication of the citizenship decree in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.
You must take the oath within 6 months of the decree's publication. Otherwise, the citizenship grant is annulled.
Actual processing times in 2026
Real processing times in 2026 range from 2 to 4 years. It depends on the Prefettura: Milan and Rome have longer queues, while smaller cities are faster. If more than 1,095 days have passed without a response, you can file a court appeal (ricorso) to accelerate the process.
On actual timelines
"At the Naples Prefettura, friends of ours waited 4 years. They applied in 2020 and received their decreto at the end of 2024. By law, the decision should have been made in 2 years. But there is nobody to complain to - everyone waits that long."
Community member
How to speed up the process
After the legal deadline (1,095 days) expires, you can file a diffida (formal demand) with the Prefettura requiring them to complete the review within 30 days. If that does not work, you can file a ricorso with the TAR (administrative court). A lawyer costs 1,500 - 3,000 EUR, but courts almost always rule in the applicant's favor.
Dual Citizenship Italy: Russia, Ukraine, and Beyond
Do you need to give up your current passport when getting an Italian one? And what obligations arise?
Good news: Italy fully allows dual citizenship. You do not need to renounce your existing passport when receiving an Italian one. However, your other country may have its own rules.
Italy's position
"The Italian Republic permits dual citizenship. You are not required to renounce your existing citizenship - whether through naturalization, by marriage, or by jure sanguinis."
Discussion on the legal aspects of dual citizenship
Russia and Dual Citizenship
Russia does not prohibit dual citizenship, but requires you to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) about obtaining citizenship or a residence permit in another country within 60 days of entering Russia. The penalty for failing to notify is up to 200,000 rubles or up to 400 hours of community service.
MVD notification is mandatory
If you are a Russian citizen and have obtained Italian citizenship, you must notify the MVD within 60 days of your next entry into Russia. The notification form is submitted in person or via Russian Post. Failure to notify is a criminal offense under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Ukraine and Dual Citizenship
Ukraine’s constitution 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 receive an Italian passport typically continue using both.
The 2026 situation
Ukraine is discussing legislative changes that could legalize dual citizenship. Stay tuned for updates. As of now, dual citizenship is formally not recognized, but there are no practical sanctions for holding it.
Practical Implications of Dual Citizenship
Enter Italy and the EU on your Italian passport; enter Russia on your Russian passport. Do not show both passports at the same time.
Citizenship does not determine tax residency. You pay taxes where you live more than 183 days per year. Two citizenships do not mean double taxation.
Italy abolished mandatory military service. Russia has not. Dual citizenship does not exempt you from obligations to either country.
After Receiving Italian Citizenship: Oath, Passport, and Obligations
What happens after your application is approved - and what steps do you need to take to get your Italian passport?
When the Ministero dell’Interno approves your application, a decreto di concessione is published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. But this is not the end - you still need to take the oath and process your documents.
Within 6 months of the decreto's publication, you must take the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic and its Constitution. The ceremony takes place at your local comune. This is a formal event - dress appropriately.
If you do not take the oath within 6 months, the decreto is annulled and you will have to start the entire process over!
After the oath, visit the anagrafe at your comune to obtain a carta d'identita as an Italian citizen. Your old residence permit is no longer needed - return it.
Apply for your passport through the Questura or online via the Polizia di Stato website. Cost: 116 EUR. Validity: 10 years.
If you live outside Italy after obtaining citizenship, you must register with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero). This gives you 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 with AIRE, you vote by mail. If you live in Italy, you vote at your local polling station.
After the oath
"After the oath, they congratulate you and give you a certificate. Then you go to the anagrafe for your carta d'identita, then to the questura for your passport. The whole process from the oath to passport in hand takes 2-3 weeks. And then this strange feeling - you are no longer an immigrant."
Community member, naturalized in 2024
Obligations of an Italian Citizen
Citizenship comes with not only rights but also obligations:
- Tax obligations - if you are a tax resident of Italy, you must declare worldwide income
- Jury duty - you may be called to serve as a juror
- Compliance with the law - a serious criminal offense can lead to revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through naturalization
- Dual citizenship notification - to the country of your first citizenship (Russia requires MVD notification)
Assegno sociale for citizens
As an Italian citizen, you are entitled to the assegno sociale (social pension) - even without sufficient employment contributions. Requirements: 10 years of residency in Italy and reaching retirement age. The amount is approximately 534 euros per month in 2026.
On assegno sociale
"To receive assegno sociale, you need to have lived in Italy for 10 years. This is not a pension based on contributions - it is a minimum social payment for those who do not have enough. Citizenship is required."
Discussion on pension benefits
Conclusions
The main paths: naturalization (10 years of residency), Italian citizenship by marriage (2-3 years), and jure sanguinis (Italian roots). Each path has its own timelines and requirements, but all of them work.
The law says 1,095 days; in practice, up to 4 years. Be prepared to wait. After the deadline passes, file a diffida and a ricorso in court.
Criminal record certificates, B1 language certificates, proof of income - all of this takes time. Start collecting documents six months before your planned application date.
Italy does not require you to give up your previous citizenship. Russia requires MVD notification. Ukraine formally does not recognize dual citizenship, but there are no sanctions.
Visa-free travel to 190+ countries, freedom to live and work in the EU, pension, passing citizenship to your children. Worth every year of waiting.
Related Articles
Permesso di Soggiorno 2026: Questura by City - everything about residence permits in Italy
Working in Italy 2026 - types of employment and salaries