Italian citizenship is a source of pride and identity for millions of people around the world. Whether you were born in Italy, became a citizen through naturalization, or reclaimed your Italian roots via jure sanguinis (citizenship by descent), the question occasionally arises: can Italy revoke your citizenship?

To understand the answer, we need to look closely at what the Italian Constitution and law system say about this issue.

What the Italian Constitution Says

The foundation of Italian democracy is its Constitution, which took effect on January 1, 1948. It protects many fundamental rights—including the right to citizenship.

Article 22 of the Constitution

“No one may be deprived, for political reasons, of legal capacity, citizenship, or name.”
– Art. 22, Italian Constitution

This article makes it explicitly illegal for the Italian state to deprive someone of their citizenship for political reasons. This was a reaction to the Fascist era, during which the regime stripped opponents and minorities of their rights. The Constitution firmly prohibits such abuse.

However, the Constitution doesn’t say that citizenship can never be revoked. It just makes clear that it can’t be taken away for political reasons. So, in very specific legal cases—like fraud or national security—citizenship might still be revoked, but only through a lawful process.

When Can Italian Citizenship Be Revoked?

Italian law outlines a few rare cases where revocation of citizenship is possible:

1. Revocation for Acquisition by Fraud

If someone obtained citizenship through false statements, forged documents, or concealed relevant facts, Italian authorities can revoke it. This applies to naturalized citizens and those who claimed citizenship by descent using falsified genealogical information.

2. Voluntary Acquisition of Another Citizenship in Special Cases

Italy generally allows dual citizenship, and acquiring another nationality does not automatically revoke Italian citizenship. However, in some cases—especially if citizenship is obtained by someone in public office or serving in a foreign military without proper authorization—revocation can be considered. These are very rare and exceptional cases.

3. Security or National Interest Concerns

While uncommon, revocation can occur if someone is involved in activities that are considered seriously harmful to the interests or security of the state. However, even in such situations, revocation must be done following strict legal procedures and cannot be for political views or affiliations.

Citizens by Birth vs. Naturalized Citizens

There’s a stronger level of protection for those who are Italian by birth (e.g., born to Italian parents or in Italy under certain conditions). Revoking the citizenship of someone born Italian is extremely rare and would face significant legal and constitutional barriers.

In contrast, naturalized citizens can, in theory, have their status revoked if it was granted based on false or fraudulent claims.

What About Dual Citizens?

Italy is generally very friendly to dual citizenship, and millions of people (especially in the U.S., Canada, Argentina, and Brazil) hold both Italian and other nationalities. As long as your Italian citizenship was legally obtained and your conduct does not violate Italian laws, there’s no risk of losing it.

Final Thoughts

If you are worried about losing your Italian citizenship, the good news is: It’s not easy for the government to take it away. As long as your citizenship was legally acquired and you follow Italian law, your status as an Italian citizen is secure.

Exploring the path to Italian citizenship can be exciting, if you’re considering applying for Italian citizenship or want help evaluating your eligibility, feel free to reach out for a consultation or join our social media for more tips and updates on dual citizenship, Italian culture, and navigating Italian bureaucracy in 2025.

Contact us at ciao@fastrackitaliancitizenship.com or call +1 202 738 4689

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