Italian citizenship by continuous residence for European Union citizens

EU citizens can obtain Italian citizenship if they have resided continuously in Italy for at least 4 years.

Essential Requirements to Apply for Italian Citizenship by Continuous Residence

To apply for Italian citizenship through continuous residence, an EU citizen must meet the following requirements:

• Must have registered with the Civil Registry (Anagrafe) of the competent municipality and established residence.
• Must possess a certificate proving knowledge of the Italian language at a minimum B1 level. However, this requirement is not mandatory for those who hold a long-term residence permit or have signed an integration agreement in Italy.
• Must not have a criminal record in Italy or abroad. Any past convictions will be assessed by the competent authority, which may reject the application at its discretion.
• In the three years preceding the application, the applicant must have earned a minimum annual income of approximately €8,400, an amount based on the threshold for exemption from healthcare expenses.

Procedure to Obtain Citizenship by Residence

1. Gather the required documentation.
2. Submit the application through the Ministry of the Interior’s digital platform.
3. Go to the competent Prefecture to submit the original supporting documents if required by the Prefecture.
4. Wait for the issuance of the Decree recognizing Italian citizenship.
5. Take the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic and its laws within a maximum of 6 months from the issuance of the decree.
6. Register the applicant’s birth certificate with the competent Italian municipality, along with the documentation proving the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic.

Processing Times

The citizenship procedure must be completed within 24 months, extendable up to a maximum of 36 months from the date of application submission.

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The content of this article aims to provide general information on the subject. For questions or particular cases, it is advisable to seek specialized advice based on your specific situation.