How can I apply for Italian citizenship in Italy?
Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis) offers a remarkable opportunity for individuals with Italian ancestry to reconnect with their roots. Traditionally, applicants have sought this path through Italian consulates in their home countries. Considering the long waiting times at consulates due to high demand, many people are now opting to apply directly in Italy by establishing residency in a local municipality.
Applying for Italian citizenship directly in Italy can significantly shorten the application processing time. In addition to this, living in Italy during the application process provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, language, and lifestyle of your ancestral homeland.
The main requirement to apply in Italy is residency. For this reason, you’ll need to find lodging and have a rental agreement. Alternatively, you may consider purchasing a property.
Please note that renting a touristic accommodation such as a B&B will not be enough in this case, because you will need to be allowed by the landlord to establish your legal residency in the house or apartment you are going to rent.
Upon arrival in Italy, you will be required to formally submit your residency application in the Italian municipality of your choice. Subsequently, a local police officer will verify your residency status, completing the registration process. Once residency is finalized, you can proceed and submit your application for citizenship during an appointment. Documents must be complete, accurate, and properly translated.
Click on this link if you wish to find out what our team can do for your application in Italy.
The Comune (Municipality) will then review your documents and may request additional information or corrections, if deemed necessary. After the submission, the processing time can vary, but it is definitely faster than applying through a consulate. On a side note, the Italian law expects the residency to be valid for the entire duration of the process.
Once your application is approved, if you plan to return to your home country, you must register in the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad (AIRE) through your local consulate and apply for your first Italian passport once you are registered. Alternatively, if you wish to remain in Italy, you can obtain your Italian passport and other necessary documents directly in Italy.
Applying for Italian citizenship by descent directly in Italy by establishing residency can be a faster and more efficient option compared to dealing with the consulates’ long waiting times. By following the steps outlined above and preparing thoroughly for your interview, you can embark on this exciting journey to reclaim your Italian heritage and enjoy the benefits of Italian citizenship.
On a final note, we know, Italian bureaucracy can look extremely complex and for such an important process you are encouraged to understand and speak Italian.
By hiring our services you can rely on us to navigate the process smoothly and successfully.
Thanks to our extensive knowledge of the application process in Italy and our expertise as local citizenship specialists, we can guide you through each step of filing your application in Italy. We offer both remote and in-person assistance, tailored to the municipality of your choice.