Applying for Italian dual citizenship

Italian dual citizenship provides a wide range of benefits, including flexible travel in the EU, the ability to vote and access to a wide range of jobs in Italy. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming if you are unsure on the requirements. This guide will explain everything you need to know about applying for Italian dual citizenship, including the benefits, how to qualify, completing a form and using a service.

Click on a link to each section:

• Advantages and disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship
• How to qualify for Italian dual citizenship
• Completing an application form for dual Italian-English citizenship
• How Italian citizenship services can help

Advantages of dual Italian/English citizenship

If you are a UK citizen who is eligible to apply for Italian dual citizenship, the advantages of obtaining this are rich and often life-changing. You are granted more rights than you would be given with a permanent residence visa. The key advantages of Italian dual citizenship are as follows:

Property ownership

There are some beautiful houses and apartments at attractive prices all over the country, and as an Italian citizen, it means your ability to buy a property there is far more assured.

Travel

Being an Italian citizen means that you can come and go, and have the ability to reside indefinitely in Italy and/or in any of the EU Member States, as well as travel freely across Europe without any legal worries.

Education

University fees in Italy are affordable, with fees at public universities costing 1,000 Euros or less per year. Italian citizenship allows you to enjoy quality education in Italy for yourself and your children.

Employment

Italy has fantastic job prospects for fluent English speakers. Being an Italian citizen may make you more attractive to Italian employers, as there is far less paperwork and cost involved when you apply for jobs.

The Right to Vote

You will be able to take part in the democratic process in both countries, meaning you’ll have your say in how Italy grows and changes.

Family values

As an Italian citizen, your citizenship will automatically transfer to any children you have who are under eighteen. This means that they will also enjoy all the benefits of being a dual Italian/UK citizen.

You should also bear in mind that sometimes dual citizens are not eligible for government positions, as they are often held solely for people with allegiance to a single country.

You can read more about the advantages and disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship here.

Qualifying for Italian dual citizenship

You can qualify for Italian dual citizenship through the following methods:

• You have evidence of a connection to earlier generations of people born in Italy. You may see it referred to as ‘jus sanguinis’, which means 'right of blood'. This is done on the basis of having the following documents related to Italian ancestors: death certificates or marriage certificates issued in Italy; Italian naturalisation certificates issued to relatives; or your own personal civil records.
• You marry an Italian citizen, and you meet various eligibility criteria. To do so, you have to have either been married for two years while living in Italy or one year if you have minor children or for three years or 18 months if you have minor children if you’re living outside of Italy. You will need a marriage certificate to prove this.
• Naturalisation. There is also potential to become a citizen of Italy if you have lived in the country on a visa for over ten years. This is known as naturalisation.

For more guidance on qualifying for Italian dual citizenship and the documents you need, you can read our guide on How to qualify for Italian dual citizenship.

Completing an Italian/English dual citizenship form

Where to complete a dual citizenship form

There are different ways to apply for citizenship, and this will dictate which documents you need and when you can complete your form. If you are applying for Italian citizenship through Italian descent, also known as “jus sanguinis” (an Italian parent or Italian ancestry), you can download an application form from the Italian consulate general. You should also download a Declaration of Applicant Form and a Declaration of Living Italian Descendant or Declaration of Deceased Italian Descendant.

If you are applying for Italian citizenship through marriage, you need to create an account and fill out an online application on the Italian Ministry of Interior and upload scans of all the required documents, before your final appointment with a consulate.

Your application through naturalisation should be addressed to the Italian President of the Republic and lodged at the Prefettura of the Province, where the applicant is formally registered as resident in Italy.

How is an application finalised?

Your application must be signed in front of the officer during the appointment at the consulate.

If you are residing in Italy, your application will need to be filed with the local “Prefettura”. You will submit your application online and then later go for an appointment with the consulate.

You can read more tips on completing your form in our guide Completing an Italian dual citizenship form.

How an Italian dual citizenship service can help you

The well-regarded immigration lawyers in Giambrone can help prevent your application from being rejected and will help you every step of the way.  We offer the following services, and more:

• Confidential phone consultations to understand your reasons for obtaining dual Italian/English citizenship
• Advice on the requirements you need to become an Italian citizen
• Advice on which documents you will need and how to prepare them
• Proofreading your application to ensure it is free from error

Giambrone is an award-winning cross border law firm, which uses its global office network to provide dual citizenship assistance. 

Read more about our immigration services here. You can also visit our website and complete a callback request to get started today.

Related content

The advantages and disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship

Completing an Italian dual citizenship form

Qualifying for Italian dual citizenship

Using an Italian dual citizenship service