Italian Citizenship by Marriage (Jure Matrimonii)

If you’re married to an Italian citizen, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship through marriage, known as jure matrimonii. This pathway allows a non-Italian spouse to obtain dual citizenship—and with it, the right to live, work, and travel freely anywhere in the European Union.

Italian citizenship by marriage can be a bridge to a new lifestyle and deeper connection to the nation’s culture and heritage. Whether you’re residing in Italy or abroad, you can apply to become a citizen and enjoy the privileges that come with holding an Italian passport.

man and woman couple hold hands together with love

Understanding Italian Citizenship by Marriage (Jure Matrimonii)

Jure matrimonii translates to “by right of marriage.” It refers to the process through which a foreign person married to an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship after meeting certain legal conditions.

This right has evolved over time:

Before April 27, 1983, Italian women automatically gained citizenship when they married an Italian man under the old civil code (Law 555/1912).
After 1983, this automatic transmission was abolished, and Italian citizenship became available only by formal application.
A 2018 decree (Decree-Law No. 113/2018) set a 48-month processing time and introduced a language proficiency
The 2020 amendment (Decree-Law No. 130/2020) reduced the processing period to 24–36 months, a timeline that remains valid under Law 74/2025.

Today, both marriage and civil union partners are eligible under the same rules. The process is governed by Law 91/1992, Articles 5–8, and administered by the Italian Ministry of Interior (Ministero dell’Interno).

Current Law and 2025 Updates

Under the current law, confirmed by Law 74/2025 and the Italian Ministry of Interior’s 2025 circular, no automatic changes have been made to the citizenship by marriage process itself. However, applicants must still meet stricter procedural standards introduced over recent years.

The main requirements now include:

Demonstrated B1-level language proficiency in Italian, certified by an accredited institution within the CLIQ system (such as the Dante Alighieri Society, Università per Stranieri di Perugia, or Università per Stranieri di Siena).
- Under Constitutional Court Ruling No. 25/2025, applicants with certified medical or age-related learning disabilities may be exempt from the Italian language requirement, provided the exemption is verified by a public health authority.
A valid and ongoing marriage or civil union that remains recognized and registered in Italy.
Submission of the citizenship application through the Italian Ministry of Interior’s online portal, with later verification at an Italian consulate or embassy.
- All applicants submit a single digital application form on the Interior Ministry portal. This is the official application for spouses in the marriage/civil-union naturalization
Payment of a €250 application fee.
Proof of a clean criminal background check and family-status certificate/residency list (stato di famiglia or certificato di residenza) where applicable.

At ITAMCAP, we stay ahead of every legal reform, ensuring your citizenship application fully complies with the latest requirements and avoids costly rejections.

Who Is Eligible?

Under current law, you may apply for Italian citizenship by marriage if you meet these conditions:

You are married to or in a civil union with an Italian citizen.
- The marital bond must continue until the decree granting Italian citizenship is issued.
The marriage or civil union must be legally valid and transcribed (registered) in the Italian spouse’s comune of reference in Italy. Foreign marriages must be registered through the Italian consulate or directly with the competent comune before applying for citizenship.
You have been married for at least two years while residing in Italy, or three years while residing abroad.
- The waiting period is halved (one year in Italy, 18 months abroad) if you and your Italian spouse have a child together (biological or adopted).
You can demonstrate proficiency in the Italian language through an official CLIQ-recognized certificate.
You have no criminal convictions and pose no risk to national security.
If you do not live in Italy, your Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE (the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad).

Not sure if you qualify? ITAMCAP can confirm your eligibility and outline the next steps in a free phone consultation.

Young wedding couple on Spanish stairs in Rome, Italy

Italian Citizenship for Marriages Before 1983

If you’re a woman who married an Italian man prior to April 27, 1983, you may already be an Italian citizen. Before that date, Italian law automatically granted citizenship to foreign women who married Italian men.

However, many never registered this status officially. You can confirm and record your citizenship by contacting your Italian consulate to verify your marriage certificate (estratto per riassunto or copia integrale) and request registration in the AIRE registry.

ITAMCAP assists clients in retrieving historical marriage records, locating missing birth certificates, and coordinating with consulates to formalize Italian citizenship recognition for pre-1983 marriages.

Step-by-Step Application Process (2025 Guide)

Applying for Italian dual citizenship through marriage involves several formal steps. ITAMCAP guides you through each one with precision and care.

1. Gather Supporting Documents

You’ll need:

Marriage certificate (registered in Italy).
- You must obtain an estratto per riassunto dell’atto di matrimonio (or copia integrale) from the Italian comune where your marriage is transcribed. Many consulates require a recently issued extract (often within 6 months).
Birth certificate of the non-Italian spouse, with translation and apostille.
Criminal background check from the country of origin and from any countries where you have lived or held citizenship.
Proof of residency (in Italy or abroad).
Certificate of Italian language proficiency (B1 level) issued by a recognized school under the Italian Ministry of Education.
Valid passports (foreign passport and Italian spouse’s passport).
Signed declaration confirming the marriage is still valid and ongoing.

2. Submit the Application

All applications are now filed online through the Italian Ministry of Interior portal. Once submitted, your local Italian consulate or embassy will contact you for an in-person appointment to verify documents and signatures.

3. Pay Consular Fees

Applicants must pay the €250 application fee by wire transfer or money order (payable to the Italian Ministry of Interior). Additional costs may include document translation, apostilles, and certification fees.

4. Processing Time

Under the 2020 and 2025 legal framework, the processing time is typically 24 months but can be extended up to 36 months, depending on the consulate’s workload. ITAMCAP’s team tracks your case status and ensures every requirement is properly documented to avoid unnecessary delays.

Costs

Applicants should budget for:

€250 application fee.
Translation and apostille fees for foreign documents.
Certification and testing fees for the Italian language
Optional service fees for document retrieval, legal translations, and ITAMCAP support.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many applicants experience long delays or even outright denials because of avoidable errors. Common issues include:

Submitting a language certificate from a school not recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.
Forgetting to register the Italian spouse with AIRE when residing abroad.
Providing a criminal background check that has expired.
Missing apostilles or submitting incorrect translations.
Failing to include a proper estratto per riassunto or copia integrale of the marriage record.

ITAMCAP ensures your application is complete and ready for consular review, potentially saving you months or even years of delay.

Benefits of Italian Dual Citizenship

Becoming an Italian citizen through marriage opens the door to a wealth of opportunities:

Live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union.
Buy property in Italy or other EU countries with fewer restrictions.
Access affordable higher education and public healthcare systems.
Pass citizenship to your children, ensuring future generations retain their Italian heritage.
Enjoy visa-free travel across the EU and Schengen Area with an Italian passport.

Holding dual citizenship provides both practical freedom and a renewed cultural bond with Italy.

How ITAMCAP Can Help

The Italian citizenship application process can be complicated, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At ITAMCAP, our team provides:

Eligibility evaluations for marriages and civil unions.
Document retrieval from U.S. and Italian archives.
Certified translations and apostilles that meet Italian consular standards.
Guidance on Italian language testing and recognized certification bodies.
Legal and procedural support with your Italian embassy or consulate submission.
Assistance with AIRE registration and record verification.

Ready to begin your application for Italian citizenship through marriage?

Let ITAMCAP guide you through the process. Contact us for a free phone consultation and learn how we can help you secure your future.

FAQs

How long does it take to get Italian citizenship through marriage?

Applications usually take 24 to 36 months after submission to the Italian Ministry of Interior, depending on consulate volume and document accuracy.

What are the requirements for Italian citizenship by marriage?

A valid marriage or civil union with an Italian citizen, minimum years of marriage (2 in Italy or 3 abroad), a B1-level Italian language certificate, a clean criminal record, and proof that the Italian spouse is AIRE registered if living abroad.

Do I need to speak Italian to get citizenship through marriage?

Yes. Since 2018, all applicants must demonstrate language proficiency at the B1 level or higher through a recognized exam provider. However, applicants who have certified age-related, medical, or cognitive limitations that make language learning impossible may be exempt from this requirement.

Can same-sex couples apply for Italian citizenship by marriage?

Yes. Civil unions and same-sex marriages recognized under Italian law are treated equally for citizenship purposes.

How much does it cost to apply for Italian citizenship by marriage?

Expect to pay the €250 consular fee, plus costs for document translation, apostilles, and the language exam. ITAMCAP can help you calculate total expenses and prepare the wire transfer or money order for your application.

Do I have to live in Italy to apply?

No. You can apply while residing abroad through your local Italian consulate, but your Italian spouse must be registered with AIRE.

What documents are needed for citizenship through a spouse?

Generally: birth certificate, marriage certificate, criminal background check, B1 language certificate, proof of residency, and passports.

What is the B1 Italian language exam for citizenship?

It’s a standardized test that proves your ability to speak and understand Italian at an intermediate level, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and required for all citizenship by marriage applications.