FAQs

Eligibility for Italian citizenship through descent (jure sanguinis) changed significantly with Law 74/2025. Under the current law, you may qualify if:

• You have a parent or grandparent who:

  • • is still alive and holds only Italian citizenship (not dual citizenship), or

    • passed away while holding only Italian citizenship at the time of their death.

• Your parent (or adoptive parent) lived in Italy as an Italian citizen for at least two consecutive years before your birth or adoption.

• You submitted an application, had a consular appointment scheduled, or filed a court case before March 27, 2025.

If none of these apply, you would not be eligible for citizenship under the current law.

If you believe you may fall into a special circumstance or are unsure, we offer paid consultations where we can review your family situation in detail and advise on possible next steps. Book a call here. 

Disclaimer: The above reflects Law 74/2025 and the initial government circular issued on May 28, 2025. Implementation may vary depending on how individual consulates and offices interpret and apply the guidelines.

Previously, there was no generational limit for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). However, as of May 2025, Italy’s new law (Law 74/2025) introduced a two-generation limit. Under the current rules, eligibility is generally limited to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy who held only Italian citizenship at the relevant time. If your connection to your Italian ancestor is further back than your grandparent, you would not qualify under the current law.

Under the current law (as of May 2025), eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent is limited to two generations: a parent or grandparent. Eligibility is based on whether your parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship (not dual citizenship) at the relevant time — either at your birth (if living) or at their death (if deceased).

Even if your parent successfully applies for citizenship through your great-grandparent, you would only qualify if your parent holds only Italian citizenship at the time of your birth. The birthplace of your ancestors no longer determines eligibility under the current law.

Disclaimer: The above reflects Law 74/2025 and the initial government circular issued on May 28, 2025. Implementation may vary depending on how individual consulates and offices interpret and apply the guidelines.

You’ll need to gather documents proving your connection to your Italian parent or grandparent — including birth, marriage, and death certificates — and most importantly, records showing whether your Italian ancestor ever became a citizen of another country (such as the USA). These documents often require certified translations and apostilles. The exact requirements can vary depending on where you apply

If you were born in Italy and lost your Italian citizenship by becoming a citizen of another country (like the U.S., Canada, or Australia) before August 16, 1992, you may now be eligible to reacquire your Italian citizenship without moving back to Italy. This temporary program allows eligible individuals to apply directly at an Italian consulate without residency. However, this opportunity is only available until December 31, 2027, so we strongly recommend starting as soon as possible if you qualify.

As of this writing (June 2025), the citizenship process is undergoing significant changes, and procedures are still being updated in response to the new 2025 law. Timelines can vary depending on where you apply and how quickly you gather your documents. In most cases, you should expect the full process to take at least 12 months, but in some situations — especially through certain consulates — it may take 4 to 5 years. These timeframes are subject to change as the new rules continue to be implemented.

Costs range from $1,500 to over $7,000, depending on support level and number of applicants. At minimum, you’ll pay for consular fees ($644), an Italian passport ($125), and document costs ($600–$800), paid directly to the respective states and consulate.

Additional fees apply for expert guidance, full-service assistance, or legal requirements like 1948 cases or court-ordered document corrections.

Read the full breakdown here.

For jure sanguinis applicants (those applying for citizenship through descent), there is no language requirement. However, we encourage learning Italian to better connect with your ancestry and to appreciate and engage with the culture. Plus, Italian is a beautiful language!

For applicants applying through marriage or naturalization, passing a B1 level Italian language exam is required.

With an Italian passport, you can live and work in Italy and any EU country without needing a special visa to stay beyond the 90-day limit, access affordable healthcare and universities, and pass citizenship on to your children. See more benefits here.

When a lawyer is not required: If your direct lineage does not include a female ancestor who had a child before 1948, your citizenship path is "administrative" and does not require legal representation. This process involves obtaining and submitting the necessary documents to an Italian consulate or comune (town hall).

When a lawyer is required: If your direct lineage includes at least one female ancestor who had a child before 1948, your case must go through the Italian courts, and you will need an Italian lawyer practicing in Italy to represent you.

Special cases, such as issues with proof of paternity or acquiring vital records from states with strict privacy laws, may also require legal assistance.

For cases involving a lawyer, our co-founder, Christina Prejean is here to assist clients with every step of the way.

Yes, under the 1948 law, also known as the “female line” law, individuals born to an Italian mother prior to 1948 can claim Italian dual citizenship. Before this law, Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis could only be claimed through the male line of ancestry. Now, children born to an Italian mother before 1948 are eligible to apply through the female line.

The process takes place in the Italian courts, and you will need an Italian lawyer to represent you throughout the proceedings.

Feel free to email us with your specific questions if this is still unclear to you.

No, obtaining Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis (descent) is an individual process. It does not automatically extend to your parents, siblings, or their children just because you have been recognized as an Italian citizen. Each person in your family must independently prove their eligibility by tracing their lineage to the common Italian ancestor and providing the necessary documentation.

However, having a family member who has already completed the process can be beneficial. For example, siblings and their children might be able to use some of the same documents that you obtained, such as birth, marriage, and naturalization records, to support their own applications. However, document sharing is only possible if applying through the same consulate or comune (town hall). For instance, if you obtain your citizenship through the Italian consulate in Miami and your brother lives in New York, he would need his own set of documents to apply through the New York consulate.

If you are considering our services, we can assist your family members in navigating their own applications and guide them in gathering any additional documents they may need. Contact us to learn how we can support your entire family in the citizenship recognition process.

Unfortunately, you cannot skip a generation when claiming Italian citizenship. Italian citizenship must be passed directly from parent to child. If your parent became a U.S. citizen before you were born and before 1992, they would have lost their Italian citizenship at that time, and you would not be eligible to claim citizenship through them from your grandparent.

We offer everything from do-it-yourself guidance to full-service packages and à la carte services to fit your needs. Whether you prefer step-by-step DIY instructions or want experts to handle the entire process, we’re here to help.

Our goal is to make Italian citizenship through jure sanguinis affordable and achievable for everyone.

👉 Visit our Start Here page to find the best option for you!

A non-Italian spouse is eligible to apply for citizenship through marriage after 3 years of marriage if living outside Italy, or 2 years if living in Italy. This time is halved if the couple has children. The clock starts at marriage, so if you've been married for 10 years, and your Italian spouse gets their citizenship, you can apply right away without waiting 3 years. The spouse must pass a level B1 Italian proficiency exam and a criminal background check. You can see more details on citizenship through marriage here. 

In short, you apply where you live. If you live outside of Italy, you would apply through the consulate that has jurisdiction over your area. There are 10 consulates in the U.S. that process Italian citizenship applications.

If you are applying in Italy, you would apply through the comune (town hall) where you live. Each comune has specific requirements, so it's important to be aware of local regulations and procedures.

Yes, you can apply for Italian citizenship recognition in Italy, but it requires a few important steps and considerations.

Applying in Italy requires you to establish residency and submit your paperwork at the local comune (town hall). This process takes a minimum of 4-6 months, and you must remain a resident until it is complete. You cannot apply for citizenship during a short visit to Italy; you must be living in Italy on a more permanent basis.

To establish residency, you need housing with a formal lease or rental agreement. The local police will verify that you actually live at the address provided, which means they will visit to check that you are indeed residing there. It's essential to have a legitimate rental agreement or lease as proof of your residence.

In summary, applying for Italian citizenship in Italy requires a significant commitment, including securing housing and undergoing residency verification. The process is not suitable for those planning only a brief stay in Italy.

Consulates release a limited number of appointments each week, and demand is high. It may take several attempts over weeks or months to secure an appointment. Patience and persistence are key. We recommend logging in early and frequently to improve your chances of getting an appointment.

There are approximately 17 million Italian Americans in the U.S., but there are only 10 consulates that process Italian citizenship applications. This limited number of consulates compared to the high demand creates significant competition for appointments and makes scheduling challenging.

The short answer is no, the long answer is below.

Military Draft: Italy suspended its military draft in 2004, so mandatory military service is not a concern for dual citizens. There is no requirement for Italian citizens to serve in the military, whether they are residing in Italy or abroad.

Taxes: Taxes in Italy are based on residency rather than citizenship. This means that Italy taxes individuals who live in Italy, not those who are Italian citizens living abroad. If you are a dual citizen residing outside of Italy (for example, in the U.S.), you generally would not be subject to Italian taxes. However, there are exceptions, such as owning property in Italy or running a business from Italy, which might subject you to certain Italian taxes. We recommend consulting a tax professional for specific advice on your situation.

In summary, while there are few drawbacks to holding dual citizenship with Italy, it is essential to be aware of tax obligations and potential employment implications, and to seek professional advice when needed.