Italian citizenship by residence for descendants up to the second degree of Italian citizens

Italian law provides for descendants up to the second degree of Italian citizens (children and grandchildren) the possibility of acquiring Italian citizenship by residence, pursuant to Article 9, letter a) of Law no. 91 of 5 February 1992.

General requirements

To apply for Italian citizenship by residence in this category, the following requirements must be met:

1. Uninterrupted legal residence

The applicant must have resided legally in Italy for at least 3 years continuously.

Legal residence is certified by registration in the registry office of the municipality of residence.

It is essential that the residence has not been interrupted up to the moment of the citizenship oath.

2. Knowledge of the Italian language

An adequate level of knowledge of the Italian language is required, at least equal to level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR). The requirement can be satisfied through:

• a qualification issued by a public or equivalent Italian school

• a B1 level certification issued by recognized certification bodies (University for Foreigners of Perugia or Siena, Roma Tre University, Dante Alighieri Society)

• signing the integration agreement (art. 4 bis of Legislative Decree 286/98)

• possession of an EU long-term residence permit

3. Economic capacity

The applicant must demonstrate that he or she has sufficient income to lead a dignified life in Italy. The minimum annual income limits for the year 2025 are:

• €8,263.31 for the applicant without dependents

• €11,362.05 for the applicant with a dependent spouse, with an increase of €516.00 for each additional dependent family member

The income is assessed on the basis of the tax returns relating to the last three years preceding the application, without prejudice to the possibility for the competent authorities to also assess previous periods.

4. Absence of criminal convictions

The applicant must not have a criminal record and must not constitute a danger to public order or state security. Each case is assessed individually by the Ministry of the Interior.

Application procedure

The application for the granting of Italian citizenship by residence is submitted exclusively online through the portal of the Ministry of the Interior (Portale Ali). Once submitted, the procedure can take up to 24 months, extendable at the discretion of the Ministry of the Interior up to a maximum of 36 months from the date of submission. Until the conclusion of the procedure, the applicant must maintain his/her residence in Italy, as indicated above, and in the event that he/she should change his/her residence within Italian territory, he/she must promptly notify the competent authorities.

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The content of this article aims to provide a general guide on the topic. It is necessary to seek specialist advice regarding your specific situation.