How to establish residency in Italy to obtain citizenship by descent

If you want to apply for Italian citizenship by descent directly in Italy, the first step is to establish your residency at the Municipality where you will submit the application. This process requires meeting certain requirements and having the appropriate documentation. Below, we explain everything you need to do it correctly.

Housing options: renting

To establish residency in Italy, you can choose to rent or buy a property. If you choose to rent, you must ensure that the contract is valid for residential purposes. In Italy, rentals are divided into three main categories:

1. Long-term (3-8 years): Recommended for those seeking stability.

2. Short-term (1-18 months): It can be an initial option, but it is not always ideal.

3. Vacation (less than 29 days): Not valid for establishing residency.

It is important to note that temporary accommodations such as hotels and Airbnb do not offer contracts that allow you to obtain residency legally.

Any contract should include information such as personal details of the landlord and tenant, property details, contract duration, monthly rent, additional costs and cancellation clauses (usually 6 months, although this can be negotiated).

Registry of residence in Italy

Once you have a valid rental contract, you will need to register your residence at the Anagrafe office of the relevant Municipality. To do this, you will need to present:

• Registered rental contract

• Declaration of presence or entry stamp in the passport

• Codice fiscale

• Receipt of presentation of the necessary documents to start the application for Italian citizenship

After submitting the application, you will need to stay in the property for at least 45 days, as the local police will carry out an inspection to verify that you really reside there.

Once your residency is approved, you will be able to apply for:

• Carta di identità (Italian identity card)

• Tessera sanitaria (health insurance card)

• Appointment to officially submit your application for Italian citizenship

Each Municipality may have slightly different procedures, so it is advisable to check directly with the commune where you plan to reside to ensure you meet all requirements.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

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The content of this article is intended to provide general guidance on the subject. It is essential to seek specialized advice to address your specific situation.