- Applicants with Italian ancestors who have never renounced their claim to Italian citizenship can receive citizenship through "jus sanguinis," so long as they fit certain criteria. Paternal and maternal lines can be used to fulfill "jus sanguinis" if they trace back to an Italian citizen who is the applicant's parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent. If any of the linking persons ever renounced their Italian citizenship, the applicant is ineligible. If tracing maternal lines, the applicant must have been born after Jan. 1, 1948.
- "Jus soli," or "right of soil," allows any child born to stateless parents in Italy the right to become a citizen. On the other hand, children born in Italy to citizens of parents with foreign passports are not automatically given the right of citizenship, but can receive it if the application is made before their 18th birthday.
- Applications for Italian citizenship for individuals married to Italian citizens can be made after six months of marriage in Italy or three years of marriage abroad. Then the person can apply for an Italian passport.
- Citizens of other European Union countries can apply for citizenship in Italy after four years of legal residence, so long as they can prove a clean legal record and sufficient financial resources. For citizens of non-EU countries, the time requirement jumps up to 10 years.
- Unlike in other European countries, Italy does not require you to choose between a former nationality and Italian citizenship. Under its Nationality Law, it recognizes the validity of dual citizenship and dual passports, simply requiring holders of Italian passports to use those or some form of Italian ID when entering and exiting Italy.
- Applications for citizenship must be made at the office of the Minister of the Interior (Ministro degli Interni) through the local mayor or the nearest Italian consulate if you're applying from abroad. After paying a concession tax, swearing allegiance to the Italian government and promising to obey its laws, submitting all your require documents (which vary depending on your specific case and can be found in list form at your local government office), translating and authenticating each when necessary, your completed application can take anywhere from a few weeks to 18 months to decide on. Once you are granted citizenship, it is your right to obtain an Italian passport, which you can get quickly and easily at your local Passport Office or, if you live outside Italy, through its nearest consular branch.
