One of the most common motivations for foreigners to relocate to Italy is to get Italian citizenship. Italy is one of the most appealing European nations to relocate to, not only because of the wonderful work chances that are coming to Europe for this reason, but also because of the many investment prospects that this country provides.
Citizenship may be attained after a certain amount of time, regardless of the cause for the immigrant’s decision to come to Italy. The sole question that most people have is, “How long does it take to get Italian citizenship?” The answer is that it depends on the migration path selected.
We explain how long it takes to gain Italian citizenship dependent on how one enters the country in this article, which is your full guide to immigration to Italy.
The main ways to obtain Italian citizenship in 2021
Those asking how long it takes to get an Italian passport should first realise that citizenship may be earned in a variety of methods. and here it is:
- Through a residence permit, which entails staying in Italy for a few years before being awarded citizenship.
- Through employment, which entails working in Italy in order to get citizenship (there are many sorts of work permits that may be obtained); 3. Through naturalization, which is a lengthy process but is relatively simple to achieve?
- By marrying an Italian citizen, which requires the completion of certain processes in order to become an Italian citizen.
- Through investment It is one of the most common options for non-EU citizens to come to Italy.
- These are often not utilized by getting various forms of visas, such as family reunification permits.
Types of visas through which Italian citizenship can be obtained
When it comes to how to gain Italian citizenship, it is crucial to understand that most visas may be used to accomplish this goal. Foreign nationals from countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area may apply for different kinds of visas and wait the required amount of time before being awarded permanent residency and citizenship.
Aside from tourist visas, any sort of residency permit, for both short and long periods, might be an excellent means to get Italian citizenship. One of the most significant advantages of moving to Italy is that student visas may be converted into work permits, allowing immigrants to improve their prospects of getting Italian passports if they want to remain here permanently.
EU citizens applying for Italian passports
Italy, being a member of the EU, provides a variety of incentives to residents of other EU member countries who seek citizenship here. Some necessary living standards, however, apply to both EU residents and those relocating here from non-EU nations.
After four years of residing in Italy on the basis of a permanent residence permit, EU residents have the right to apply for citizenship in Italy.
How to obtain citizenship in Italy as a non-EU citizen Non-EU
Before seeking for citizenship in Italy, citizens must first apply for one of the long-term temporary or permanent residency permits given by the Italian government. They must also reside in this nation for lengthier lengths of time than EU citizens; nevertheless, they may get citizenship via an investment programme, which allows them to obtain citizenship sooner than conventional procedures.
Non-EU nationals who want to know how to get citizenship in Italy should know that they must remain in Italy for at least 5 years with temporary residence cards before they can be given permanent residency. Citizenship will be awarded to this type of candidates after ten years of residence in Italy.
When it comes to integrating foreign nationals who want to relocate here permanently and then get citizenship, Italy is one of the most hospitable nations in Europe. It is also one of the most popular destinations for non-EU nationals seeking investment visas.
Obtaining citizenship in Italy through a residence permit
Foreign citizens from countries other than the European Union may relocate to Italy by obtaining a temporary or permanent residency permit. EU nationals do not need such a visa to immigrate to Italy. Even if this is not the fastest option to gain Italian citizenship, it is unquestionably one of the most secure.
To address the topic of how long it takes to gain Italian citizenship via residence, we can reply that the minimum duration of residing in Italy for non-EU nationals is set at ten years, while the necessary period for EU citizens is four years.
When entering Italy on a work visa, the same time period must be followed.
Our immigration attorneys in Italy can help clients seeking residency permits in order to gain Italian citizenship.
How long does it take to become an Italian citizen via naturalization?
Once their link with Italian people is confirmed, a foreign national with Italian parents or grandparents who have not lost their Italian citizenship may apply for an Italian passport. When it comes to foreign nationals whose grandchildren have lost Italian citizenship, they must stay in Italy for at least three years on the basis of a residence visa.
How long does it take to get a marriage-based Italian passport?
Those who have married Italian nationals and want to know how long it takes to get Italian citizenship for them will find that the answer depends on the location of the marriage contract. The waiting time is two years for individuals who married an Italian citizen in Italy. The candidate must have resided in Italy with an Italian spouse throughout this period.
The waiting time for applying for Italian citizenship after marrying an Italian citizen overseas is three years.
How long does it take to gain Italian citizenship via investment?
Non-EU nationals possessing at least €500,000 may seek for citizenship by investment, with residence granted within 6 months. Following that, the typical ten-year journey to Italian citizenship will begin.
If you are thinking of making Italy your future home, you are making the proper choice if you consider the following:
In 2016, Italy granted the most nationalities in the EU (1/5 of 1 million nationalities in the EU); Rome approved 201,600 citizenship applications, 23,600 more than in 2015; At the European Union level, 994,800 foreigners have acquired citizenship in all member states; According to Istat, the number of immigrants in Italy increased by 14.5 percent in 2017 compared to 2016.
How do you become a citizen of Italy?
There are many methods for a person to become an Italian citizen, the most common of which are as follows:
- Blood (descent) right: A child born to an Italian father, mother, or father is likewise an Italian citizen. Prior to 1948, an Italian woman could not pass on citizenship to her kid. Furthermore, a child born in Italy to stateless or unknown parents instantly becomes Italian.
- Adoption: the right to citizenship extends to any child who has been adopted by an Italian citizen (even if they were adopted abroad, if they were adopted in Italy by order of a juvenile court); • marriage to an Italian citizen: this procedure can only be refused to those who have a serious criminal record (either outside Italy or on its territory) or who are considered a threat to public safety and national security. There are no language examinations necessary for the potential spouse to pass, but the marriage must proceed through the process of seeking for Italian citizenship.
- By residence: Non-EU individuals who have been lawfully resident in Italy for 10 years may be given Italian citizenship. It may be given (under specific circumstances) to EU nationals after just four years.
The following are the top seven advantages of getting Italian citizenship:
1- Live and work in Italy
The most essential advantage of gaining Italian citizenship is the freedom to live and work in Italy. You will no longer need to consider visa renewal periods after you become an Italian citizen. Furthermore, Italian citizenship allows entry to all EU member states.
2- Go to Italy to study
Non-EU nationals who come to Italy on a study visa are allowed to remain once they finish their studies. We highlight this as a benefit of gaining Italian citizenship since Italy is the only EU nation that allows a student visa to be converted into a work residence permit.
3- Real estate ownership
The ability to buy and own property in Italy is one of the primary benefits of Italian citizenship, and while this is possible for non-EU citizens through the residence-by-investment scheme, it entails an obligation to purchase a property of a certain value; however, being an Italian citizen at the start of the acquisition proceedings will no longer imply such a requirement.
4- Dual nationality
Dual citizenship is conceivable for people of certain countries even after acquiring an Italian passport. This will provide them legal status in both nations. If you want assistance with dual citizenship concerns, our immigration attorneys in Italy can assist you.
We provide a variety of expat services to our customers, so please contact us if you have any queries or need clarification on immigration to Italy.
5- Start a company and profit from tax breaks.
Entrepreneurship is one of the most significant benefits of gaining Italian citizenship, since it is simpler to establish a business as an Italian citizen. Aside from that, you will be able to take advantage of a variety of tax breaks.
6- Movement freedom
As an Italian citizen, you will be able to travel freely across Europe and the Schengen region. This is a significant advantage for non-EU individuals who want to seek for citizenship in Italy. Non-EU nationals who want to move to Italy and get citizenship may speak with one of our attorneys who can clarify all of the prerequisites.
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Access to high-quality education and health-care services
Italy boasts among of Europe’s top education and health-care systems, which are available to all of its residents. This is also a privilege that is automatically obtained if a foreigner becomes an Italian citizen. You will also get voting rights after you become an Italian citizen.
