These are just a few of the questions you might have – and we’ll do our best to answer all of them today.
We want to share with you all our knowledge and experience about applying for Italian dual citizenship.
Let’s start with the most important question you’ll need to obtain Italian dual citizenship.
Come posso ottenere la doppia cittadinanza italiana?
How Do I Obtain Italian Dual Citizenship?
Come ottenere la doppia cittadinanza italiana per discendenza?
How to Get Italian Dual Citizenship by Descent?
Italian dual citizenship
If you’re looking for information on how to apply for dual citizenship in Italy, or if you’re interested in applying for Italian dual citizenship, you’ve come to the right place.
Applying for dual citizenship in Italy might be challenging, but this article will help you answer the most frequently asked questions about it.
Am I eligible for Italian dual citizenship?
This is a complicated question, but we’ll provide you with all the information you need to assess your eligibility for dual citizenship in Italy.
First and foremost, you must determine which type of Italian citizenship application you plan to apply for.
The Italian Citizenship criteria for each option are, in fact, different.
Italian citizenship by descent (“ius sanguinis”)
Through your Italian ancestors, you can apply for dual citizenship in Italy.
In this instance, it’s important to have a clear picture of your family tree, starting with your Italian ancestors and ending with you (as best as possible).
Do you have a complete albero genealogico (family tree) that includes all vital information about everyone in your bloodline?
Perfect, you might be eligible for Italian Dual Citizenship through Descent.
Italian citizenship by marriage
If you’re applying for Italian dual citizenship through matrimonio (marriage), you’ll need to answer the following question: “Did I marry an Italian Spouse (male or female) by a few years?”
If you answered yes, congratulations!
Marriage may qualify you for dual citizenship in Italy.
Learn more about different ways to obtain Italian dual citizenship here.
How long does it take to obtain dual citizenship in Italy?
The answer to this question depends on the way you choose to get your Italian dual citizenship.
It can take anywhere from 2 to 11 years. Why is there such a large difference?
If you apply for Italian dual citizenship by descent, it may take about 2 years following the Court Path – or up to 5 years to apply through the Italian Consulate.
It can take up to 12-13 years to obtain Italian citizenship through a residency (naturalization), as you must have lived in Italy for over 10 years.
You can get Italian dual citizenship through marriage when you are married to an Italian spouse for at least 2 years.
What are the disadvantages of having Italian dual citizenship?
A frequently asked question is if there are any svantaggi (disadvantages) to having dual Italian citizenship.
The good news is that there are much more advantages than disadvantages, but understanding both sides is important for peace of mind.
The most common question is about Italian dual citizenship taxes and if you’ll be taxed twice if you’re a dual citizen.
In general, you will not be required to pay taxes in Italy if you spend less than 183 days a year in Italy within 12 months, do not earn money in Italy, or own property in Italy.
Another of the disadvantages of Italian dual citizenship may only apply to you if your chosen career path entails working for the government.
If you hold dual citizenship, you may be denied a position that enables you access to sensitive material, not just in Italy but in other countries as well.
This could make getting a high-level security clearance to work in your desired field more difficult.
If you were born into your dual citizenship, you would likely face fewer obstacles, though it will still be more difficult than having only one country of citizenship.
Of course, if you’re not interested in those kinds of jobs, then it really won’t apply to you.
It’s also important to remember to bring your Italian passport if you have dual citizenship.
Even more importantly, you must be aware of which passport you are using.
Practically speaking, this will probably end up being the biggest inconvenience when it comes to being a dual citizen.
For example, if you’re in the United States and want to travel to Italy, you’ll need to show your US passport as you exit the country and your Italian passport when you arrive in Italy.
Simple enough, yet
è un errore che molti finiscono per fare.
it’s a mistake that many end up making.
While you won’t be locked out, it may cause complications when traveling abroad, so have both with you and remember which country you’re in when departing and arriving.
Italian dual citizenship cost
How much does it cost to get Italian dual citizenship?
An initial €300 application fee is required for Italian citizenship, and this fee is non-refundable regardless of whether citizenship is granted.
The cost of dual Italian citizenship is determined by many factors:
- the number of documents required;
- the number of supporting documents required;
- the extent of legal amendments required to adjust discrepancies or inconsistencies;
- the extent of translation required;
- the number of applicants applying;
- the location of your applicants.
Finally, the cost of doing it yourself (with some help) vs. using Italian dual citizenship services to handle it for you differs dramatically.
On average, the cost of getting dual Italian citizenship ranges from $500 to $10,000.
Final thoughts
While having Italian dual citizenship has some drawbacks, the benefits greatly exceed them.
The Italian passport is one of the most powerful in the world, allowing you to travel freely throughout the EU, not just for pleasure but also for work.
You’ll have better health care, the right to vote, inexpensive education for your children, and the ability to invest in real estate, among other things.
It’s no surprise that so many people choose to get Italian dual citizenship.
If you have Italian ancestors, are married to an Italian, or want to become naturalized, file your paperwork asap to begin enjoying the benefits of Italian dual citizenship.
Related: Life in Italy: 10 important pros and cons of living in Italy
Still translating in your head? Wanna speak Italian for real? Check out Stefano's courses to think directly in Italian and become fluent fast!
