In brief: Italian Citizenship 2026
- By residence: 10 years of continuous residence + income €8,263/year + Italian B1 test
- For marriage: 2 years of residence (or 3 abroad) + marriage to an Italian citizen
- Cost: €250 (mandatory contribution)
- Where: online application on the ALI Portal with SPID
- Times: 24-48 months from the date of application submission
What is Italian Citizenship?
Italian citizenship is the legal status It recognizes a person's full membership in the Italian Republic, with all the rights and duties that entail. citizenship grants the right to vote, to work without restrictions, traveling freely within the European Union, and passing it on to their children.
The matter is regulated by the Law no. 91/1992 (Citizenship Act) and subsequent amendments, including the recent Law no. 74/2025 which introduced new rules for citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis). The application can now be submitted exclusively online, through the ALI Portal of the Ministry of the Interior, with access via SPID or CIE.
Italy recognizes the dual citizenshipIt is not necessary to renounce your original citizenship to become Italian, unless your country of origin requires it.
How to Obtain Italian Citizenship
Italian citizenship can be acquired in various ways, each with specific requirements. Here are the main methods established by law:
How to obtain citizenship by residency (10 years)?
After 10 years of legal residency and continuous in Italy, the non-EU citizen can apply for naturalization. This is the most common path for those who live and work in Italy with a residence permit regular. The term is shortened for some categories:
- 4 years for citizens of European Union countries
- 5 years for stateless persons and holders of international protection
- 7 years for those who have been adopted by an adult Italian citizen
- 3 years for those born in Italy and legally residing there
How to obtain citizenship by marriage?
The spouse of an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship after 2 years of legal residence in Italy from marriage, or after 3 years if resident abroad. The terms are halve in the presence of children born or adopted by the couple. The marriage must be valid and there must not have been any legal separation or divorce.
By Descent (ius sanguinis)
Anyone who has an Italian parent or ancestor may be entitled to citizenship by descent. Law no. 74/2025 It has introduced new limitations: recognition is automatic only up to the second generation born abroad. For subsequent generations, additional requirements are required (effective ties to Italy, knowledge of the language). The application must be submitted to the municipality of residence (if in Italy) or the Italian consulate (if abroad).
For birth in Italy (tempered ius soli)
Children of foreigners born in Italy can apply for citizenship upon reaching their 18 years old, within 1 year of reaching the age of majority, demonstrating that they have resided legally and continuously in Italy since birth (art. 4 paragraph 2, Law 91/1992).
What are the requirements for Italian citizenship?
For naturalization (citizenship by residence), the applicant must satisfy everyone the following requirements:
- 10 years of legal residency and continuous in Italy (without interruptions exceeding 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total in the last three years)
- Minimum income: €8,263.31/year for a single person, with increases for dependent family members
- No criminal record impediments (no convictions for serious crimes)
- Knowledge of the Italian language at least level B1 of the CEFR
- Payment of the contribution of €250.00 via PagoPA
For the citizenship by marriage, the requirements are similar but the residency period is only 2 years. In both cases, a residence permit valid (or a EU residence permit for long-term residents).
Minimum Income for Citizenship 2026
Income is one of the fundamental requirements. The Prefecture verifies the income of the last 3 years (Form 730 or Personal Income Tax returns). The cohabiting spouse's income can be added to that of the applicant.
| Family unit | Minimum annual income |
|---|---|
| Single person | €8.263,31 |
| With dependent spouse | €13.324,99 |
| With spouse + 1 child | €13.841,45 |
| With spouse + 2 children | €14.357,91 |
| For each additional dependent child | +€516,46 |
Eligible income includes: income from employment or self-employment, pensions, annuities, and income from buildings. Occasional or welfare income (Citizenship Income, social security benefits) are not considered. If the income is insufficient in even one of the three years, the application may be rejected. In case of doubt, a consultation with a specialized lawyer can help you check the requirements before applying.
Italian Citizenship Test (Level B1)
Since 2018, all applicants for citizenship (by residence and marriage) must demonstrate a knowledge of the Italian language at least at B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The requirement can be met in three ways:
- Language certificate B1 or higher issued by an institution recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI): University for Foreigners of Siena (CILS), Perugia (CELI), Roma Tre (CERT.IT), Dante Alighieri Society (PLIDA)
- Educational qualification obtained from an Italian institution (diploma, degree)
- High school diploma issued abroad by a private Italian school
The certificate does not expire and must be attached to the application on the ALI Portal. If you don't yet have a B1, we recommend starting preparation early: exams are held in periodic sessions and seats fill up quickly.
What documents are needed for citizenship?
The application is submitted exclusively online through the ALI Portal of the Ministry of the Interior. Here is the complete list of documents to attach (for a detailed guide on each document, see our guide to citizenship documents):
Identity documents
- Valid passport
- Residence permit valid (or renewal receipt)
- Identity card
Civil status documents
- Full birth certificate translated and legalized (or with Hague Apostille)
- Translated and legalized criminal record certificate from the country of origin (no older than 6 months)
- For marriage: marriage certificate and Italian citizenship certificate of the spouse
Economic documents
- Income tax return for the last 3 years (Form 730 or Personal Income Tax)
- CU/CUD of the last 3 years
Personal data documents
- Historical residence certificate (from the Municipality)
- Family status
- Tax ID code (health card)
Certifications and payments
- Italian language proficiency certificate B1
- Receipt for payment of €250 contribution (PagoPA)
- €16 stamp duty
Online Procedure: How to Apply on the ALI Portal
The citizenship application must be submitted exclusively online. Here are the steps to follow:
- Access the ALI Portal (portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it) with SPID or CIE
- Select "Citizenship" and then the type of application (for residence, for marriage, etc.)
- Fill out the online form with all personal, residence and family details
- Upload documents in PDF format (maximum size 2 MB per file)
- Pay the contribution of €250 via PagoPA generated by the portal
- Submit the application and keep the case number (K10A + code)
- Wait for the call to the Prefecture to verify the original documents
After submitting, you can monitor the status of the application directly from the ALI Portal. The Prefecture has up to 24 months to respond.
How much does Italian citizenship cost in 2026?
Here is a breakdown of all the costs involved in applying for citizenship:
| Expenditure item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Citizenship contribution (PagoPA) | €250,00 |
| Revenue stamp | €16,00 |
| Sworn translation of birth certificate | €50 - €150 |
| Sworn translation of criminal record | €50 - €150 |
| Legalization / Apostille for documents | €20 - €80 |
| Italian language certificate B1 | €80 - €130 |
| Estimated total | €400 - €800 |
Translation and legalization costs vary depending on the country of origin and the number of documents. For countries adhering to the Hague Convention, an apostille is sufficient; for others, consular legalization is required. ImmigraFacile We help you reduce costs by optimizing the necessary documents.
How long does it take to obtain citizenship?
The law requires the Prefecture to respond within 24 months from the submission of the application (deadline established by Legislative Decree 113/2018). In application, the timing varies greatly depending on the territorially competent Prefecture:
| Prefecture | Average times 2026 |
|---|---|
| Milan | 18 - 30 months |
| Rome | 24 - 36 months |
| Turin | 18 - 24 months |
| Naples | 24 - 36 months |
| Bologna | 12 - 20 months |
| Florence | 15 - 24 months |
If the Prefecture does not respond within 24 months, you can submit arequest for reminder. If he doesn't respond further, you can take action with a appeal to the TAR for silence-non-complianceOur legal team will also assist you at this stage.
The Oath of Citizenship
Once you have received the concession decree of citizenship (published in the Official Journal), the new citizen is summoned by the Municipality of residence for the oathThe formula is as follows:
"I swear to be faithful to the Republic and to observe the Constitution and the laws of the State."
The oath must take place within 6 months from notification of the decree, under penalty of forfeiture. After the oath, citizenship is effective from the following day. From that moment you can request the Italian passport and the identity card as a citizen.
Citizenship for Children: Automatic Transmission
If you get Italian citizenship, your minor children They acquire it automatically (Article 14, Law 91/1992), provided they are living with you at the time of the grant. There's no need to submit a separate application: the Municipality updates the birth certificate directly.
For the adult children, however, there is no automatic transmission: they will have to submit their own independent application with the standard requirements (10 years of residence, or 3 years if born in Italy).
The children of foreigners born in Italy They have a privileged path: they can apply for citizenship within one year of turning 18, demonstrating uninterrupted legal residency since birth. If your child is approaching adulthood, it's crucial not to miss this window of opportunity.
Rejection of the Application and Appeals
The citizenship application can be rejected for various reasons:
- Insufficient income in one or more years of the three-year period
- Criminal record impediments (final convictions for serious crimes)
- Termination of residence (absences from Italy exceeding the permitted limits)
- Incomplete documentation or non-compliant
- National security reasons (discretionary assessment)
In case of rejection, you have 60 days from the notification to submit appeal to the TAR (Regional Administrative Court). Alternatively, you can wait and resubmit a new application if the reasons for the rejection have been resolved. our legal advice, a specialized lawyer evaluates the possibilities of appeal and assists you in all phases.
Warning: The most common mistakes cost months
Even a single incorrectly filled-in field, a missing document or a missed deadline can make reject your application — with months of delay and additional costs to resubmit it.
With ImmigraFacile this does not happen:
Frequently Asked Questions about Italian Citizenship
The citizenship application fee is €250.00, payable via PagoPA. This fee includes a €16 revenue stamp, certified translation fees (€50-150 per document), and legalization/Apostilles for foreign documents. The average total cost is between €400 and €800.
Naturalization requires 10 years of continuous legal residence in Italy, 2 years of residence after marriage to an Italian citizen (3 years if residing abroad), 4 years for EU citizens, and 5 years for refugees and stateless persons.
The application must be submitted exclusively online on the Ministry of the Interior's ALI portal (portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it). Log in with SPID or CIE, fill in the form, upload the required documents and pay the contribution of €250.
You must have been married to an Italian citizen for at least two years (if residing in Italy) or three years (if abroad), with the terms halved if you have children. You also need an adequate income (€8,263.31/year), no criminal record, and a B1 level of Italian language proficiency.
If the application is rejected, you can appeal to the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) within 60 days of notification of the decision. You can also submit a new application if the reasons for the rejection have been resolved. Our legal team will evaluate your appeal options.
The law requires a response within 24 months of the application. In application, the timeframe varies by Prefecture: Milan 18-30 months, Rome 24-36 months, Turin 18-24 months, Naples 24-36 months, Bologna 12-20 months, Florence 15-24 months.
Yes, since 2018, it has been mandatory to demonstrate Italian language proficiency at least at level B1 of the CEFR. This can be certified with a certificate issued by recognized certification bodies (University for Foreigners of Siena, Perugia, Roma Tre, Dante Alighieri Society) or with an Italian qualification.
For a single person: €8,263.31/year. Add €5,061.68 for a dependent spouse and €516.46 for each dependent child. Income from the last three years is considered (Form 730 or Personal Income Tax). The income of a cohabiting spouse may be added.
Yes, Italy recognizes dual (and multiple) citizenship. It is not necessary to renounce one's original citizenship, unless the country of origin requires it. Many countries (such as Morocco, Albania, Peru) allow dual citizenship.
The ALI Portal (portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it) is the Ministry of the Interior's platform where citizenship applications are submitted. Access is via SPID or CIE. On the portal, documents are uploaded, the fee is paid, and the status of the application is monitored.
If the Prefecture does not respond within 24 months (the legal deadline established by Legislative Decree 113/2018), a request for a reminder can be submitted to the Prefecture. If the Prefecture fails to respond further, an appeal can be filed with the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) for silence and non-compliance by the Public Administration.
Minor children automatically acquire Italian citizenship if their parent obtains it (Article 14 of Law 91/1992). Children born in Italy to foreign parents can apply for citizenship within one year of turning 18, providing they demonstrate legal and uninterrupted residency since birth.
Anyone with an Italian ancestor can apply for citizenship by descent. Law 74/2025 introduced a generational limit and new requirements. The application must be submitted to the municipality of residence (if in Italy) or the Italian consulate (if abroad).
Citizenship is barred by: convictions for serious crimes (terrorism, mafia, drug trafficking), sentences exceeding three years, and convictions for crimes against public administration. Suspended sentences or convictions for minor crimes are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Prefecture.
For marriage to an Italian citizen, yes, after three years of marriage (half of which with children). The application must be submitted to the Italian Consulate in the country of residence. Naturalization (residency) is not possible: ten years of continuous residence in Italy are required.