Italian Dual Citizenship Services
Your gateway to European Union membership, global mobility, and connection to Italy’s rich cultural heritage
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Italian citizenship is so much more than just a passport. It’s your gateway to European Union membership, global mobility, and a connection to one of the world’s most culturally rich nations. Whether through ancestry, marriage, or residency, multiple pathways can lead you to Italian citizenship in 2025.
Citizenship Pathways
Italian Citizenship by Descent
Navigate the complex changes from the March 2025 law updates and constitutional challenges.
Citizenship by Marriage
Streamlined process for spouses of Italian citizens with updated language requirements.
Citizenship by Residency
Long-term residency pathway with complete integration requirements.
Italian Citizenship by Descent
The Old Rules (Pre-March 2025)
Until March 27, 2025, Italian citizenship could be passed down through unlimited generations. If you had an Italian ancestor who never renounced their Italian citizenship before their children were born, you could claim Italian citizenship regardless of how many generations separated you.
The New Rules (March 28, 2025 Forward)
By the letter of the law, Italy now drastically limits citizenship by descent to just two generations. You now qualify only if you have an Italian parent born in Italy (who lived in Italy for at least 2 years before your birth) or an Italian grandparent born in Italy who never gained citizenship in any other country.
Protected Applications
If you submitted your citizenship application to a consulate, municipality, or court by 11:59 PM Rome time on March 27, 2025, your application will be processed under the older, more generous rules.
Constitutional Challenge Available
Legal experts argue the new rules violate fundamental principles of non-retroactivity and birthright citizenship, which is contrary not only to Italian law but also to European Union Law.
Our attorneys can challenge the new law in court. Momentum is on our side: The Constitutional Court heard arguments against Law 74/2025 on June 24, 2025, examining whether retroactive limitations on citizenship rights are constitutional. Additionally, the Court of Turin has lodged a request for constitutional review of the new law, and the Naples court has followed with a similar request.
Citizenship by Marriage
Timeline Requirements
If living in Italy: 2 years of marriage (reduced to 1 year with children under 18). If living abroad: 3 years of marriage (reduced to 1.5 years with children under 18).
Language Requirement Update
Recent Constitutional Court ruling on March 7, 2025, declared the B1 Italian language requirement unconstitutional for those unable to learn due to disability, illness, or advanced age, recognizing this as “indirect discrimination.” For all others, a B1 language exam is required for citizenship by marriage.
Process Requirements
The Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE (if abroad), and the marriage must be registered with Italian authorities before applying. Same-sex civil unions are recognized and treated equally to traditional marriages. Additionally, spouses must obtain criminal background checks before applying for citizenship.
Citizenship by Residency
Standard Requirements
EU citizens can apply after 4 years of legal residency in Italy. Non-EU citizens require 10 years of legal residency. Reduced timeframes apply for those with Italian parents or grandparents who no longer qualify under the new rules (2 years of legal residency).
Complete Integration
Residency-based citizenship requires demonstrating genuine integration into Italian society, including language proficiency, clean criminal record, and sufficient income to support yourself without public assistance.
How Arrivo Transforms Complexity Into Success
Strategic Case Assessment
We analyze your family history against both old and new rules, identifying the strongest path to citizenship.
Constitutional Litigation
Our specialized attorneys are actively challenging the March 2025 decree in Italian courts.
Complete Process Management
From document collection to final citizenship ceremonies, we handle every aspect of your journey.
Multi-Path Strategy
We explore all viable options: descent, marriage, residency, and investment pathways.
Ongoing Legal Support
Italian citizenship law continues evolving rapidly. We monitor changes, protect your rights, and adapt strategies as legal landscapes shift. Your citizenship application receives ongoing legal protection throughout the process.
Family Planning
We coordinate applications for entire families, ensuring spouses and children can acquire citizenship through the most efficient pathways available, often combining descent, marriage, and residency strategies.
The March 2025 changes created urgency and uncertainty, but they also created opportunities for legal challenge and alternative pathways. While some doors closed, others remain open for those who act strategically.
Your Italian citizenship journey requires more than document collection. It demands legal expertise, strategic planning, and active protection of your rights. Whether through challenging unconstitutional restrictions, pursuing marriage-based applications, or developing long-term residency strategies, we ensure you achieve Italian citizenship through the most viable path available.
Ready to reclaim your Italian heritage or establish new Italian citizenship?
Contact us for a comprehensive assessment of your options under current law.