Applying for Italian dual citizenship has long been a dream for many individuals with Italian ancestry. With the promise of reconnecting with heritage, gaining access to European Union benefits, and embracing dual identity, it’s no surprise that interest in Italian dual citizenship continues to grow. Let’s discover together the updated fees for your Italian dual Citizenship application.

The Fee Update: What Changed?

At the end of every year, the Italian government undertakes a comprehensive financial review to evaluate the country’s economic needs and priorities. As part of this process, a new budget law is drafted and approved, outlining adjustments in funding, taxation, and administrative policies for the upcoming year. 

For 2025, the government’s revised financial policies introduced a significant change in fees for citizenship applications. In fact, under the new regulations, the primary fee for submitting a citizenship application has increased from €300 to €600 per applicant. 

While in the past the fee applied only to applications submitted via the Italian Consulates abroad, with this new provision it now applies not only to applications processed through Italian consulates but also to those submitted directly in Italy as well as to those processed via court proceedings.

Why Does the Fee Increase?

The Italian Ministry of the Interior cites several reasons for the fee adjustments:

1. Administrative Costs: Processing dual citizenship applications is labor-intensive. From verifying ancestral records to assessing legal eligibility, consulates and municipal offices require sufficient resources to handle the workload. 
2. Growing Demand: The number of applicants for Italian dual citizenship has risen significantly in recent years. With this surge, the government has faced mounting pressure to streamline operations and reduce processing times. The new fees help support these efforts.
3. Service Improvements: The fee adjustments coincide with technological upgrades to the citizenship application system. These include digital submission portals and enhanced tracking features, designed to improve the applicant experience.

Who Is Affected?

The fee changes apply to all categories of applicants for Italian citizenship by descent whether they apply through the Italian Consulate abroad or directly in Italy through the Municipality with a standard Jure Sanguinis case, and also to those that fall into the so called “1948 cases” implying female ancestors and applying via the Italian Court system. 

For the applications through Italian Consulates abroad, the citizenship application fee must be paid by each applicant in US dollars using a postal money order. The amount of this Consular fee is around €600 to be paid directly to the consulate on the day of the application. The exact amount is released every three months on each consulate’s official website because of the exchange rate from EUR to US dollar, be sure to check the current amount before submitting your application. 

For the applications through Italian Municipalities, the new budget law sets the citizenship application fee at a maximum of €600. A key change introduced by this provision is that municipalities now have the discretion to determine their fee, provided it does not exceed this limit. As of now the government has not released specific guidelines for the determination of this fee, but it is expected that the cost will vary based on the complexity of each application.

The application through Italian Municipalities offers a unique pathway to citizenship. To learn more about this option, click here.

For applications filed through the Italian Court system, and the so-called “1948 cases,” the new budget law has introduced a fixed fee of €600 per petitioner. This marks a significant change from the previous system, where the fee was calculated per application and typically amounted to approximately €500, regardless of the number of petitioners involved. This adjustment reflects the government’s effort to standardize costs across various application pathways, aligning court fees with those applicable via consulates and municipalities.

The new budget law introduces one more significant change regarding the issuance of Italian vital records by Municipalities. This update has largely gone unnoticed, but it’s crucial for applicants. To learn more about this overlooked change, click here. 

Expert Guidance: Worth the Investment

While these increases may not be ideal, there’s some positive news: additional funding could lead to improved resources, quicker processing, and more consular appointments.

Given the increased costs and potential complexities, many applicants are seeking professional support to streamline the process. At Fast Track Italian Citizenship FTIC, we provide expert legal and genealogical assistance to ensure your application is thorough, accurate, and fully compliant with Italian requirements.

Our team specializes in minimizing delays and avoiding costly mistakes, guiding you through each step with personalized attention. While professional services involve additional fees, the investment with Fast Track Italian Citizenship FTIC pays off in a faster, smoother application journey—helping you reconnect with your Italian roots with confidence and ease.