Italian citizenship by marriage/civil union for residents abroad

Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union between same-sex partners with an Italian citizen is regulated by Law no. 91 of 1992. Foreign spouses residing abroad may apply for Italian citizenship starting three years after the date of the marriage or civil union. This period is reduced by half if the couple has children under 18 years of age or if the children have been legally adopted.

Main requirements

To start the procedure, the Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) and the marriage or civil union must be registered with the competent Italian consulate. All marriages celebrated abroad must be duly legalized, translated, and transcribed in Italy. The same applies to civil unions or same-sex marriages, which are recognized in Italy as civil unions (since Italy does not recognize same-sex marriage as such) even if celebrated abroad.
Since 2018, the law also requires knowledge of the Italian language at level B1, certified by institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in order to promote the cultural and social integration of the new citizen.

Application procedure

The citizenship application must be submitted to the relevant Italian consulate, namely where the Italian spouse is registered with AIRE. The procedure consists of two main phases: an online submission through the Ministry of the Interior’s portal, followed by an appointment at the consulate where the applicant confirms the authenticity of the documents and signs the application.
The consulate acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the Ministry of the Interior: while the consulate collects and verifies the information, the actual review of the case and the final decision are handled by the central office in Rome.

Timing and reminders

As of May 2025, the law provides for a maximum period of 24 months for the completion of the procedure (previously extendable up to 36 months under particular circumstances). If this deadline is exceeded, the applicant may send a formal notice to request a response, which carries greater weight if sent through a lawyer. It is important to promptly notify the consulate of any changes in marital status, such as divorce, annulment, or death of the Italian spouse, as these events may interrupt the procedure, as well as any change of residence.

Final oath

At the end of the process, the applicant is invited to an oath ceremony at the consulate, to be held within six months of the application’s approval. During the ceremony, the new citizen swears allegiance to the Italian Republic, in the presence of the Italian spouse, confirming the validity and continuity of the marriage or civil union. This moment marks the official acquisition of Italian citizenship.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.