How Long Does It Take to Get Italian Citizenship?

Update (effective May 24, 2025): Italy converted Decree-Law 36/2025 into Law 74/2025. For new jure sanguinis filings, administrative recognition is generally limited to parent/grandparent lines, and those born abroad with another citizenship are presumed not to have acquired Italian citizenship unless specific exceptions apply.

NOTE: Judgment 142/2025 reaffirmed Italian citizenship by descent as a birthright (no generational limit) but did not overturn Law 74/2025. The new restrictions still apply pending further review.

If you qualify under current law, obtaining Italian citizenship typically takes anywhere from a few months to 18 months after your application reaches the Italian consulate. Holding Italian citizenship offers many benefits, even if you don’t plan to live in Italy full time. Many Americans are eligible for dual citizenship, which opens the door to traveling freely throughout Italy and the EU, purchasing property, importing personal belongings, or even retiring under the Tuscan sun.

So how long does the citizenship application process take and how do you qualify? Let’s take a closer look.

Are You Eligible to Become an Italian Citizen?

Under current rules, most new jure sanguinis applications are recognized administratively only through a parent or grandparent. If you were born abroad and also hold another citizenship, you are presumed not to have acquired Italian citizenship unless you meet an exception—such as (1) a parent or grandparent who held exclusively Italian citizenship (including at death), or (2) a citizen parent who resided in Italy for 2 continuous years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before your birth/adoption.

NOTE: Applications fully filed or judicial actions/consular appointments formally set by March 27, 2025, continue under the prior framework.

Of course, there are particular criteria that must be met, and you will need to gather required documents and vital records for your application for Italian citizenship, such as birth certificates.

How Quickly Can You Become an Italian Citizen?

If you qualify under the current law, typical administrative processing begins only after the application is accepted as complete. Italian consulates still cite a maximum 24-month decision window once filed.

NOTE: In Spring 2025, some consulates temporarily paused jure sanguinis calendars and later resumed. Local backlog patterns changed, so verify with your specific post.

There are several factors that affect how long it will take to apply for dual Italian American citizenship. It often takes 18 months or more once your application is accepted by the Italian consulate or embassy with jurisdiction in your area. The wait time can be longer if your application is incomplete or documents need to be amended.

If you qualify under the current law, note that applying in Italy can remove consulate appointment waits. Many (not all) comuni operate on a walk-in basis, so you can file as soon as your residency is in place. Processing and document scrutiny still vary by office.

Because many post-Law 74/2025 descent cases are administratively ineligible unless an exception applies, verify eligibility before seeking an appointment.

Once you receive notification that your citizenship is confirmed, you will be able to obtain an Italian passport. Traveling under an Italian passport offers many advantages when exploring the EU, and your citizenship allows you to live and work there without time limits.

The Process of Applying for Citizenship in Italy

Starting the process as soon as you know you are eligible will help you more efficiently manage these steps, which are essential to get dual citizenship in Italy:

• Research Italian vital records to document that your ancestor was born in Italy or was married to an Italian citizen. This might take 3
• Obtain applicable U.S. Naturalization Records or ensure and document that no naturalization records exist. Naturalization documents should be requested from the National Archives (NARA), USCIS Genealogy Program, or federal/district courts. Most people spend about 3 months in this state of the process.
  • You need proof that the qualifying parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship at the relevant time (e.g., “no record” of foreign naturalization/citizenship, non-enrollment in foreign electoral rolls, or other negative certificates).
• Locate other certified U.S. vital records, as required. This might involve state, county, and township records. Any errors in names or dates on these documents must be officially corrected. The timeline for this can vary from 6 months to 1 year.
  • If using the 2-year residency exception (your parent/adoptive parent acquired Italian citizenship and then lived in Italy for at least 2 continuous years before your birth/adoption), include proof of that residence from the comune (e.g., certificato di residenza storico covering those dates).
• Find an official translator to translate the U.S. documents in English into Italian. Plan for at least 1 month for this once you locate a reliable certified translator.
• Make an appointment with the Italian consulate.
• For judicial filings: Court-sworn translations (asseverazioni) in Italy are typically required so exhibits can be accepted by the judge. Plan for translations and apostilles on the entire packet.
• Full lineage packet for court: Expect to supply every vital event (birth, marriage, death/divorce) for each direct-line ancestor, not just minimal consulate variants.

The Process of Applying for Citizenship in Italy via an Italian Consulate

As of 2025, administrative recognition by descent is limited. Consulates apply the parent/grandparent and exception tests when screening files under Law 74/2025.

• Collect all of the vital records necessary for your application, and have them legalized and translated.
• Check your residency address against the list of Italian consulates in the U.S., and apply to the one closest to it by visiting and registering with the website’s Prenot@mi booking system.
• Log in to the website and schedule a citizenship appointment.
• Expect various waiting times.

Consulates are legally allowed up to 24 months to process Italian citizenship applications by descent, but it may not take this long. If your application is not processed within the 24-month timeframe, you can take advantage of opportunities for legal action, which are supplied by the Italian government.

Applying for Citizenship via an Italian Municipality

Municipal recognition no longer “bypasses” the new limits—local offices follow the same Law 74/2025 rules and Ministry instructions.

• A lease agreement or deed to a property located in the municipality in which you will be establishing residency will provide proof to the municipality that you are legally authorized to use it. The police in that municipality will normally verify this within 45 days from the day you submit your application for residency.
• After you’ve received verification of your residency status, you likely won’t need to make an appointment to file your application. However, filing methods vary—check to confirm.
• You can expect to wait a few months for your citizenship application to be processed.

Applying for Citizenship via the Italian Court System

Maternal-line “1948” actions remain possible. Those with 1948 cases can apply to an Italian court for recognition of their citizenship. Applications must be filed at a court within the municipality of your family member’s birth. You can expect the waiting time for this option to take from 2 to 18 months.

Keep in mind that this option may require more than one hearing if additional documents are required. If not, a decision will be granted on the hearing day.

Streamlining the Process of Applying for Italian Citizenship

The Italian American Citizenship Assistance Program was created to help Italian Americans obtain Italian citizenship, reconnect with their heritage, and pursue their educational, career, and retirement goals as residents in Italy. We can help you determine your eligibility, and we offer apostille and translation services and assistance with all steps of your application.

Be aware that for children born abroad, automatic transmission has ended. Parents (or a legal guardian) must now make a declaration within 1 year of birth, and a €250 contribution is due. For children who were minors on May 24, 2025, there’s a transitional window until May 31, 2026, to submit the declaration.

If you are wondering if becoming an Italian dual citizen is the right choice for you and a legacy you could leave to your children, contact us today. We can schedule a free telephone consultation to get you started and help you make this life-enhancing decision.

FAQs

What do I do when I get the message “Al momento, non ci sono date disponibili per il servizio richiesto” when trying to schedule an appointment?

It just means there are no appointment slots open right now, so keep checking. Use your own account, confirm you’re booking under the correct consulate for your legal residence, and try at varied times/days. If months pass with no availability, save dated Prenot@mi screenshots to document attempts—those can support a judicial “denial of justice” filing if you otherwise qualify under current law.

What are some simple tips to speed up the process time for citizenship applications?

• Verify eligibility first under the 2025 rules (most new administrative cases are limited to parent/grandparent lines).
• Assemble a complete, consistent document set (long-form certificates, apostilles, required translations).
• Match consulate-specific requirements, e.g., some posts require Italian birth/marriage extracts issued within the last 6 months.
• Resolve name/date discrepancies before filing to avoid RFI delays.
• Track Prenot@mi regularly and capture dated screenshots.
• If consular access is impossible, evaluate judicial filing timing (often ~12–18 months to ruling, calendar dependent).

Can I pay more to get Italian citizenship faster?

No. There’s no “expedite” fee—official fees are standard and do not speed processing. (NOTE: many posts now list a €600 consular fee per adult for descent applications.) Beware of anyone claiming they can “buy” priority.

What are some common mistakes that can slow down the Italian citizenship process?

• Applying in the wrong jurisdiction (must use the consulate that covers your legal residence).
• Missing apostilles or translations (and, for court filings, not planning for Italy asseverazioni).
• Out-of-date Italian vital records where the post requires recent extracts (e.g., issued within 6 months).
• Unresolved name/date/place discrepancies across records.
• No proof of sustained booking attempts when alleging consular inaccessibility.

Can former Italian citizens reacquire citizenship?

Yes. If you were born in Italy or lived in Italy for 2 straight years and lost citizenship before August 16, 1992, you can reacquire by declaration from Jul 1, 2025–Dec 31, 2027 (consulate or comune). This path is not available for losses on or after August 16, 1992.