07 Reati Ostativi 1920x640px

Criminal offences hindering the acquisition of the Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union

Italian citizenship by marriage/civil union: criminal record

What to know if you are applying for Italian citizenship by marriage/civil union

Law 91/1992 on Italian citizenship regulates, in Art. 6, the possible causes of denial of the application to acquire Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union.

Under Article 6 L. 91/1992, the following preclude the acquisition of Italian citizenship:

  • conviction for one of the crimes provided for in Book Two, Title I, Chapters I, II and III of the Penal Code ("Crimes against the personality of the State")

  • the conviction for a non-political crime for which the law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than 3 years' imprisonment, or the conviction for a non-political crime to a term of imprisonment of more than 1 year by a foreign judicial authority, when the sentence has been recognized in Italy

  • the existence, in the specific case, of proven reasons pertaining to the security of the Italian Republic

Rehabilitation and application for the acquisition of Italian citizenship

In the event that the applicant for Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union has a criminal record, the same is still recognized the possibility of accessing, in the cases provided for by law, the rehabilitation procedure that terminates the hostile effect of the criminal conviction.

Security of the Italian Republic

In addition to the criminal record for the crimes indicated above, Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union may also be refused if there are proven reasons inherent to the security of the Italian Republic, which must be, in the case, duly indicated in the reasoned decree of rejection that is issued after the opinion of the Council of State.

In the case of the issuance of a rejection order due to the existence of reasons pertaining to the security of the Italian State, the applicant will have the possibility, if necessary, to reapply for the granting of Italian citizenship only once at least 5 years have passed since the rejection.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

Our team is available to provide support and assistance throughout the process! Contact us to book your first Italian citizenship consultation with us! #YourWaytoItaly


The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances

News
News from our blog

Keep yourself updated by reading the most recent news and our articles on the most important topics on Italian immigration and citizenship law

Visas and residence permits
Citizenship
Tax, legal and more
Italian Citizenship By Descent Constitutional Court 600 X 400 Px
Citizenship
Citizenship by descent and law 74/2025: first constitutional legitimacy concerns
Italy’s recent citizenship reform sparks legal controversy: the courts of Naples and Turin question its constitutionality, arguing it violates acquired rights, equality before the law, and legal certainty—affecting those applying for citizenship by descent.
Italian Citizenship By Descent Constitutional Court 600 X 400 Px
Citizenship
New review by the Constitutional Court on citizenship via ius sanguinis
The Italian Constitutional Court is examining whether citizenship by descent without generational limits complies with the Constitution. This could have implications for the interpretation and application of Law 74/2025 converting Decree No. 36/2025.
Italian Citizenship By Residency 600 X 400 Px
Citizenship
Law No. 74/2025: what changes in italian citizenship by residency
With the entry into force of Law 74/2025, foreign-born descendants of Italians who have an Italian-born parent or grandparent can apply for Italian citizenship by naturalization after just 2 years of residence in Italy—rather than the usual 10—provided they meet the other legal requirements.
1 / 20
Sign up to our newsletter!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.