Italian Citizenship by Residency

Who Is This Service For?

Italian citizenship by residency is governed by Article 9 of Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992. It can be requested by foreign nationals who have legally resided in Italy for a certain number of years and who meet the legal requirements: continuous residence, adequate income, knowledge of the Italian language and no grounds for refusal.

The application is filed online and reviewed by the Italian authorities, who verify the requirements and the absence of grounds for refusal. The process ends with the decree granting citizenship and the oath of allegiance.

Each path has different requirements, documents, timelines and competent offices. That is why a preliminary review before filing is useful, to identify any issues that could slow down the review of your application.

Rules, requirements and practices can change over time, and our firm checks them at the time of the application.

This service is designed for:

foreign nationals who have lived permanently in Italy for several years;

citizens of non-EU countries (including US citizens), who as a rule need ten years of legal residence;

citizens of European Union countries, for whom shorter residence periods apply;

stateless persons and holders of international protection, for whom specific periods apply;

people who have already applied and need assistance with delays, requests for additional documents or a refusal.

Requirements

To apply for citizenship by residency, you generally need:

legal residence in Italy for a minimum period that depends on your situation – as a rule, ten years for citizens of non-EU countries;

continuous registered residence (residenza anagrafica) with the town hall (Comune) for the required years;

adequate income in the required years, according to the thresholds set by law;

knowledge of the Italian language at least at B1 level, except where an exemption applies;

no criminal convictions or other grounds for refusing citizenship.

Documents

Documents to prepare, depending on your case:

ID card and passport;

certificates of residence and family status;

proof of income for the required years;

criminal record certificates, including from your country of origin (for US citizens, typically an FBI background check);

Italian language certification;

any additional certificates, translations and legalizations (such as the apostille) your case requires.

We review your situation before filing: length of residence, continuity of registration, income, criminal record, knowledge of Italian and documents issued abroad. This preliminary review helps identify issues that could slow down or jeopardize the application. Our firm defines the exact list of documents after reviewing your specific situation.

Application Process

The application follows these stages:

Step 1 – Case review: we check your residence, continuity of registration, income, language skills, criminal record and personal situation;

Step 2 – Documents: we collect and review certificates, translations and legalizations;

Step 3 – Application: we prepare and file the online application on the Italian Ministry of the Interior's portal;

Step 4 – Review: we follow up on communications and any requests for additional documents from the authorities;

Step 5 – Decree and oath: once the application is approved, we assist you with the oath of allegiance and the following formalities;

Step 6 – Legal protection: in case of delays or refusal, we analyze the reasons and assess the available remedies.

Common Problems and Refusals

Some situations require a more careful review before filing:

gaps or irregularities in your registered residence or legal residence;

insufficient or discontinuous income in the required years;

criminal records or other possible grounds for refusal;

missing or unsuitable Italian language certification;

foreign documents that need to be translated, legalized or apostilled;

periods of legal stay that must be proven with documents;

delays, requests for additional documents, no response from the authorities, or a refusal.

In each of these cases, a preliminary assessment helps you choose the right path and avoid mistakes.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

Studio Legale Beggin assists you at every stage of the process:

preliminary check of length of residence, continuity of registration, income, criminal record and knowledge of Italian;

collecting and reviewing documents, including documents issued abroad;

filing the application online;

communications with the Italian authorities and responses to requests for additional documents;

assessment of the legal strategy and of the remedies available in case of delays or refusal.

Each case is handled on a personalized basis, with clear guidance and a dedicated legal contact at every stage. Assistance is available in Verona and online throughout Italy and abroad. No outcome can be guaranteed in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years of residence do I need for citizenship by residency?

In general, citizens of non-EU countries need ten years of legal residence in Italy, EU citizens need four, and stateless persons and refugees need five. Shorter periods apply in some special situations, which must be checked case by case.

Do I need to speak Italian?

As a rule, you must demonstrate knowledge of Italian at least at B1 level, through a certification or a recognized educational qualification. Some exemptions apply depending on your personal situation and must be verified.

What income do I need for citizenship by residency?

You need adequate income, proven for the years required by law, according to thresholds that may vary depending on the size of your household. Our firm checks the amounts in force and the documents to be submitted in your case.

How long does the process take?

The legal deadline for completing the process is 24 months from the date of application, which can be extended up to 36 months. In practice, timelines vary depending on the competent office and on how complete the documentation is, so no specific date can be guaranteed.

What can I do if my application is refused or I receive no answer?

If you receive a notice of intended refusal, you can submit comments and documents within the stated deadline. If the authorities do not respond within the legal deadline or reject the application, the remedies available before the competent authorities are assessed within the legal deadlines. Our firm analyzes your case and explains which options are available.

Related Services

To explore related situations, our law firm also assists with:

Italian citizenship by marriage;

Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis);

Italian visas and residence permits;

conversion of an Italian residence permit.

Book a Consultation

Want to know whether you meet the requirements? Book a consultation with Studio Legale Beggin for a practical assessment of your case.

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