IN THE NEWS
Podcast Interview (Another one!)
For the second time, BecomeItaliani co-founder Anthony Calvanese joined Chase Warrington for his podcast About Abroad.
This was such a fun conversation! We were lucky to be able to meet in person, as our paths crossed in northern Italy. We discuss the Italian citizenship process for those who want to get their Italian passport through descent. In addition we discussed travel in Italy and Europe, and the ups and downs of life abroad. You can listen to the podcast on all your podcast platforms (link to Spotify here), or here on YouTube.
Breaking: Americans Need A Visa to Travel to Europe?
Update** The beginning date has been changed to a later date, more info. to come **
Starting in 2024, the European Union will require US citizens to get pre-approval prior to being allowed to enter 30 European countries
Beginning January 2024, Americans traveling to Europe will be required to apply for authorization through the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) before being allowed into 30 European countries, including popular destinations such as Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland and Portugal.
Currently, Americans have visa-free travel access to many European countries, but this will change come January, 2024.
ETIAS in a Nutshell
ETIAS is an e-authorization for travel, linked to your passport, which allows for entry into European countries for up to 90 days, per every 180 days (3 months, per every 6 months).
Having ETIAS doesn’t give you automatic entry into Europe. An immigration officer still has the authority to deny access if the entry conditions are not met.
The 30 Countries Included
The 30 countries include the following: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Good news for Italian-Americans
For those of us Italian-Americans with Italian ancestors, this is just one more reason why you shouldn’t wait to get your Italian citizenship recognized.
Under Italian law, as long as conditions are met, Italian-Americans may qualify for Italian citizenship recognition with proof of connection with at least one Italian-born ancestor, regardless of the generation limit (i.e. even if your Italian-born ancestor was your great-great-great grandfather.)
With your Italian passport, you will simply use your Italian passport to enter the European countries you want to travel to, without any need to worry about these new pre-approval travel requirements.
How Much Does ETIAS Cost?
It costs 7 Euros to apply, and you may be exempt from paying this fee if you are under 18, older than 70 or if you’re a family member of an EU citizen.
How to Apply for ETIAS
There is an application form on the ETIAS website, which also explains all of the application requirements, payment options and possible payment exemptions. There, you’ll input your information, including your name, US passport number, details about your occupation and level of education, information about any criminal convictions, past travels to war or conflict zones, details about your travel plan in Europe, and any other personal information requested.
How Long Does it Take?
ETIAS applications are expected to be processed anywhere from a few minutes to 30 days for a decision to be made, depending on each individual’s circumstances and if extra documentation is required or it is determined that an interview is required.
We advise that you apply for ETIAS at least 30 days prior to your next trip to Europe in 2024, to avoid any problems.
Confirmation
After submitting your ETIAS application, ETIAS will send an email confirmation with a specific ETIAS application number, which you need to keep for reference. After your ETIAS application is processed, you’ll receive another email with the outcome of your application.
Going to Europe
Make sure you have your ETIAS confirmation number and your US passport, as failure to provide both may result in you not being able to board your flight to Europe.
Please remember that having an ETIAS doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be allowed into Europe, and that immigration officials at the airport may still deny your entry into Europe if they deem that you do not meet entry conditions.
Podcast Interview
Back in August 2022, co-founder Anthony was interviewed by Chase Warrington, the Head of Remote at Doist, on his podcast, About Abroad.
It was a fun conversation with some interesting stories shared, and Chase was a great host! In the discussion, they covered two main topics. First, what inspired Anthony to make the move to Italy and what the experience has been like. Second, Anthony gives an overview of the Italian citizenship-by-descent process. You can find the podcast episode here.
Interactive Population Map
This interactive population map of Italy shows all ~8000 towns/cities/comuni in Italy, and allows you to filter by population and region.
Map tool preview
"When I was beginning to research where to live in Italy for the process of having my Italian Citizenship recognized, I was overwhelmed by the ~8000 comune (municipality) options to choose from. There are a lot of variables – population size, region, apartment availability, comune friendliness/helpfulness, comune availability to process citizenship requests, etc....I couldn’t find the tool that I wanted, so I created it, and want to share it so others may find it useful."
You can find the tool on Anthony's website here.
17 Million Italian Americans
If your ancestors emigrated to the US from Italy, it might be time to start researching your roots.
17 million Italian Americans may not even realize they’re eligible for Italian citizenship, according to Italian law. Such a privilege is their jure sanguinis, or “right of blood.” Not all countries allow for citizenship recognition by blood, but lucky for Italian-Americans, Italy happens to be one of them that does.
The unification of Italy was known as the Risorgimento. It resulted in the unification of different regions which are now part of Italy, into a single state in 1861, the Kingdom of Italy.
These unification wars left much of southern Italy in poverty., causing millions of southern Italians to leave their homeland.
The USA, from 1880 to 1924, was a popular destination for many Italians in search of a better life with opportunities for both themselves and their families
Since their ancestor's immigrant beginnings over a century ago, Italian Americans have maintained a strong identity in the US.
Now, 100 years later, Americans of Italian descent are looking back at their roots and finding ways to connect with their Italian heritage.
Americans who get an Italian passport will have the same rights and privileges as every other Italian.
This creates a demand for getting Italian citizenship recognized. Many also even looking for the possibility of a different way of life by moving back to Italy.
Today, with the Italian passport being worth almost twice that of the U.S. passport, this provides an even bigger incentive.
With European Union being a common market, citizens of the 27 EU member states can live & work in Italy and any of the 27 EU member countries.
Thus, having Italian citizenship opens paths in the EU business market, such as having the right to live & work in any of the 27 EU countries.
Italian Americans can look to get Italian citizenship for lots of reasons. Some for Italian pride, seeing it as part of their heritage and something to pass down to their children.
Others may do it for the clear economic benefits.
Americans can get this benefit at steal, especially if comparing Italy's citizenship by ancestry law to Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program, which costs over $1 million and can take years.
Europe's Most Powerful Passport
When it was a Crime to Be Italian
Potentially Dangerous, a documentary film by executive producer John Turturro, reveals when over 600,000 Italians in America were persecuted as “Enemy Aliens” during World War II. Their crime? Being Italian.
