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Italian citizenship passes down through generations by way of jure sanguinis (by right of blood). You don’t need to have been born in Italy, speak Italian, or be 100%, 50% or even 25% Italian to be eligible. A single qualifying ancestor is all that’s needed.
Read moreItalian dual citizenship can be claimed through both maternal and paternal ancestors, though certain rules restrict the avenues which people with maternal Italian ancestry can apply through.
To obtain Italian citizenship by descent, you aren’t required to donate, make an investment, or take a citizenship test. All that’s required is proof via documentation to support your claim. To be eligible, you need to meet the following requirements:
You need to have had an Italian ancestor who was alive after March 17, 1861.
Did your Italian ancestor ever gain citizenship in another country? If so, it must have occurred both after July 1, 1912, and after the birth of their child.
If your Italian ancestor never obtained foreign citizenship, you will most likely qualify for an Italian passport by descent automatically.
Are there women in your direct ancestral line? If so, the children of these women must have been born after January 1, 1948, for you to apply for recognition through the so-called administrative path, e.g. at an Italian consulate or embassy. If you otherwise meet all requirements above but have a woman whose child was born before January 1, 1948, you can still seek Italian citizenship, but must apply at an Italian court with the assistance of an Italian attorney.
If your Italian ancestor gained foreign citizenship after August 15, 1992 regardless of whether this was before or after your birth you would automatically qualify for Italian citizenship.
When it comes to citizenship by descent, nobody is better suited to assist you than Latitude. Each team member who handles your citizenship by descent file has gone through the process firsthand—we’ve been in your shoes, and we know exactly how to craft a successful application.
Our team operates in 12 worldwide offices, securing second citizenship in desirable locations and unlocking a brighter future.
When it comes to citizenship by descent, nobody is better suited to assist you than Latitude. Each team member who handles your citizenship by descent file has gone through the process firsthand—we’ve been in your shoes, and we know exactly how to craft a successful application.
Our team operates in 12 worldwide offices, securing second citizenship in desirable locations and unlocking a brighter future.
We send you our genealogical intake form. Using the information you provide us, we ascertain your eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent.
Upon receiving the signed agreement and retainer payment, our legal team will compile all necessary government forms and supporting documents. We will liaise with government bodies where necessary to build your file.
We will continue to build your file, making sure that all of your documents are obtained in the exact format required and on time.
As documents come in, we will appropriately translate and legalize them for local municipality submission, consulate/embassy, or court submission. At this time, we will assist you in obtaining a consular appointment if needed.
Your local consulate/embassy, court, or Italian municipality will assess your application, and upon approval. If applying at a consulate, each applicant above the age of 18 must pay a statutory fee of 300 euros to the Italian government. After your citizenship is processed, we will then arrange for all relevant citizenship certificates to be sent out. Following this, we can help you apply for an Italian passport.
As an Italian citizen, you are entitled to all the rights and benefits of being a European Union citizen. That means you can live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union without restriction and without ever having to justify your presence. Additionally, you can vote in local elections, pass citizenship to family members, and enjoy world-class affordable healthcare and education.
There are three paths to Italian citizenship:
To apply, you’ll need to have gathered important records (like birth, marriage, death, and naturalization certificates) to recreate your family tree and register your claim.
When compiled, your citizenship dossier is duly legalised, translated, and handed either to an Italian municipality (if you’re residing in Italy), the Italian court, or an Italian consulate (if you’re outside Italy).
By law, authorities process your citizenship application within 730 days. Due to this being such a lengthy process, applicants may be allowed to skip the consulate and instead seek immediate recognition of their application in court. This reduces the processing time significantly. Applicants may also find quicker processing times by applying for recognition of their citizenship directly in Italy.
Yes, Italy offers dual citizenship.
The Italian passport is among the world’s five most powerful travel documents. Currently, it ranks 2nd strongest. The Italian passport allows visa-free travel to 180 countries, including the European Union Schengen Zone, Hong Kong, and the UK.
When it comes to citizenship by descent, nobody is better suited to assist you than Latitude. Each team member who handles your citizenship by descent file has gone through the process firsthand—we’ve been in your shoes, and we know exactly how to craft a successful application.
Our team operates in 12 worldwide offices, securing second citizenship in desirable locations and unlocking a brighter future.