Reacquisition of Italian citizenship: conditions and process

According to Law 555/1912 Italian citizens who naturalized as citizens of a foreign country automatically lost their Italian citizenship, at least until August 16, 1992, when the new Italian citizenship law 91/1992 entered into force. Since 1992 Italian citizens who naturalized in a foreign country no longer lost their citizenship but have the possibility to renounce to it voluntarily.

How can one reacquire the lost Italian citizenship?

Those who lost or voluntarily renounced their Italian citizenship are entitled to re-acquire it provided that they move their residence to Italy.

In fact, by either establishing their residence in the Italian territory for at least 1 year after losing or renouncing the Italian citizenship, or by declaring their will to reacquire Italian citizenship and then moving their residence to Italy within 1 year from the declaration, they will reacquire the citizenship and be then able to apply for the passport.

The process, per se, is quite simple and can be carried out according to the following two options:

• the individual goes to the Italian Consulate or Embassy in their country of residence and sign a declaration stating their intention to reacquire Italian citizenship by establishing residence in Italy within 1 year from the date of the declaration; such a declaration could also be signed in front of an officer of civil record (“stato civile”) at the Italian Municipality where they intend to establish their residence

• the individual moves to Italy and after 1 year of legal residence will automatically obtain the Italian citizenship unless they expressly declare that they do not wish so (or unless the Ministry of Interior intervenes with a decree preventing the reacquisition because the individual does not comply with the requirements set forth by the law)

Moving the residence to Italy

To be able to reacquire the Italian citizenship according to the two processes outlined above applicants must legally move their residence to Italy, which means that in case of non-EU citizens they must priorly obtain a visa and residence permit that will allow them to move to Italy and register as residents with an Italian Municipality.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

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

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law, and Paolo Grassi, Trainee of LCA Studio Legale.