ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP - HOW TO GET IT?

​Today we discuss how to obtain Italian citizenship and the new online procedure.  

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The term citizenship indicates the relationship between an individual and the State. It is specifically a status called civitatis, to which the legal system attaches the fullness of civil and political rights. In Italy, the modern concept of citizenship originated at the time of the establishment of the unified State and is currently governed by Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992.
Italian citizenship is acquired iure sanguinis, that is, if one is born or adopted by Italian citizens. There is a residual possibility of developing iure soli, if one is born on Italian territory to stateless parents or if the parents are unknown or cannot transmit their citizenship to their child according to the law of the State of origin.
Citizenship can also be applied for by foreigners who have resided in Italy for at least ten years and meet specific requirements. In particular, the applicant must prove that. 
One can also become an Italian citizen by marriage. 'Citizenship by marriage' is granted by the prefect of the applicant's province of residence.

EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP

According to the textual wording of the Maastricht Treaty (TEU), a citizen of the Union is anyone who holds the citizenship of a member state. It is different to speak of European citizenship, which is not a status acquired. Every citizen of an EU member country, in addition to the citizenship of their country of origin, enjoys European citizenship.

Union citizenship entails a set of well-defined rules and rights, which can be grouped into four categories:

freedom of movement and residence throughout the territory of the Union;
the right to vote and be elected in municipal and European Parliament elections in the member state of residence;
protection by the diplomatic and consular authorities of any member state in a third country in which the State of which the person in question is a national is not represented;
the right to submit petitions to the European Parliament and appeals to the European Ombudsman.

Italian citizenship can be regained upon application.

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE


The spouse, foreign or stateless, of an Italian citizen, may acquire Italian citizenship when, after marriage, they have been legally residing for at least two years in the territory of the Republic or after three years from the date of marriage if living abroad, if, at the time of the adoption of the decree referred to in Article 7, Paragraph 1, the dissolution, annulment or termination of the civil effects of marriage has not taken place. There is no legal separation of the spouses.

The terms referred to in paragraph 1 are reduced by half in the presence of children born or adopted by the spouses.

Prefects are given the competence to adopt measures regarding the granting or denial of citizenship concerning foreign citizens who are spouses of Italian citizens residing in Italy.

On the other hand, the competence lies with the Head of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration if the foreign spouse has residence abroad and with the Minister of the Interior if there are reasons inherent to the security of the Republic.


GRANTING ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY RESIDENCE ON ITALIAN TERRITORY


1. Italian citizenship may be granted by decree of the President of the Republic after consulting the Council of State upon the proposal of the Minister of the Interior:

(a) to the foreigner whose father or mother or one of the second-degree direct ascendants were citizens by birth or who was born in the territory of the Republic and, in either case, has been legally residing there for at least three years; 
(b) to a foreigner over the age of majority who has been adopted by an Italian citizen and has been legally residing in the territory of the Republic for at least five years after adoption;
c) to the foreigner who has served, including abroad, for at least five years in the employ of the State;
d) to the citizen of a member state of the European Communities if he has been legally residing in the territory of the Republic for at least four years;
(e) to the stateless person who has been legally residing for at least five years in the territory of the Republic;
(f) to the foreigner who has been legally residing for at least ten years in the territory of the Republic.

2. By decree of the President of the Republic, after consultation with the Council of State and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers, upon the proposal of the Minister of the Interior, in consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, citizenship may be granted to a foreigner when they have rendered outstanding services to Italy, or when an exceptional interest of the State exists.


CERTIFICATION OF THE CONDITION OF STATELESSNESS

The Ministry of the Interior may certify the condition of statelessness (one who does not possess any citizenship) upon application of the person concerned accompanied by the following documentation:

(a) birth certificate;

(b) documentation regarding residence in Italy;

(c) any appropriate documents are proving stateless status. 

 

It is the right of the Ministry of the Interior to request other documents as appropriate.


ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP, HOW TO APPLY

The applicant for Italian citizenship registers on the computer portal dedicated to the procedure at the following address:

https://portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it/AliCittadinanza/ali/home.htm

And receives personal credentials to access the computer system.

They can then fill out the telematic application form, attaching in the prescribed computer fields:

identification document;
birth certificate and criminal record certificate formed by the authorities of the country of origin;
a certification attesting to knowledge of the Italian language, not less than level B1 of the CEFR 
receipt of payment of the prescribed contribution of 250.00 euros.
Details of the telematic revenue stamp.

Once completed, the application is sent informatically to the competent Prefecture (for residents in Italy) or Consulate (for residents abroad), which then provides for the subsequent gathering of the applicants.
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