In a world where global mobility and having a second passport is no longer a privilege, but a necessity, having an Italian citizenship can offer many advantages, from European Union citizenship benefits to access to social and healthcare services. Accordingly, in 2026, there are basically three main pathways that you can get Italian citizenship: Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), by marriage, by residency.
Although there has been amendments in the Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis as of 2025 March, the route still continues, with a generational limit. So, having great grandparents does not directly make you an Italian citizen no longer, you can only go up to their parent or grandparent and claim Italian citizenship if you qualify with the legal requirements. Apart from that, official datas highlight that mostly citizens from US, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and Australia apply for Italian passport through descent.
Is It Possible to Get Dual Italian Citizenship in 2026?
Dual citizenship refers to holding the status of being a citizen of two countries at once. Accordingly, Italy allows dual citizenship. So, you do not have to renounce your original citizenship. As long as you qualify through one of the eligible routes for citizenship, you can claim dual Italian citizenship.
However, if your home country does not allow dual citizenship, such as China, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, or Malaysia, you may require to renounce your original citizenship in order to obtain Italian citizenship.
So, the requirement for Italian dual citizenship is basically as follows:
- You must qualify for Italian citizenship through descent (jure sanguinis), marriage or residency. Each requires different eligibility criteria, which you can find below.
- You must check whether your country of origin allows you to hold dual citizenship.
- Provide supporting documents for your Italian citizenship application, such as your civil personal records, marriage/divorce certificate if applicable, birth certificate for your Italian ancestor if applicable, and death certificates of your descendants if applicable.
3 Ways to Become an Italian in 2026
1. Getting Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jus Sanguinis)
The most popular way to obtain Italian citizenship is through the citizenship by descent path. Also known as Italian Jure Sanguinis, it refers to the “right of blood”. So, Italy does not offer citizenship by birth, “jus soli”, meaning right of soil. To obtain Italian citizenship by descent prior to the 2025 Italian Citizenship Law reforms, applicants could qualify through their great grandparents as far back as 1861, when the country became a unified nation-state. Additionally, female ancestors were permitted to transmit citizenship until 1948, which is why many applicants filed cases with the Italian Supreme Court.
In the current landscape, after the 2025 Italian Citizenship Law Reform, applicants can be eligible for Italian citizenship through their Italian descent if:
- Children born to a parent or grandparent born in Italy and who holds only Italian citizenship at the time of their birth or at the time of their death (not holding dual citizenship)
- Children born to a parent or grandparent who has lived in Italy for at least 2 years after becoming an Italian citizen, and before the child’s birth or adoption.
So, you can no longer qualify for Italian citizenship through distant Italian born ancestors. You can only go up to your Italian parents and grandparents to apply for citizenship through Italian ancestry.
Legal Discussions behind Italian citizenship (jure sanguinis)
As Italian citizenship has entered a new phase under the new law , many legal discussions center on those with descendants, far back to 1861. Also known as the Tajani Decree, Decree-Law No. 36/2025, introduced new rules for Italian citizenship by descent on March 28, 2025. Before this new rule, many people could apply for Italian citizenship if they could demonstrate unbroken line. After the Tajani Decree, people born abroad now need a closer connection to Italy, rather than distant ancestry.
Initially, there are debates around its constitutionality. The Constitutional Court is expected to review whether the decree complies with the Italian Constitution. So, applicants do not yet know whether the new rules will remain exactly as written. It can stay as it is or even be removed completely. Therefore, people who may no longer qualify under the new rules are waiting to see whether the old system could return.
Another concern is people who were already trying to apply for Italian citizenship by descent before the new rules came in, but they could not get consular appointments. They are asking whether they will be protected under the old rules.
Apart from that, there is also a minor children issue, conflicting decisions by Italian courts. Here, the question was whether a minor child lost Italian citizenship when the Italian parent became a citizen of another country. For example, an Italian grandfather moves to the United States and becomes a US citizen. At that time, his child was still underage. Now, generations later, he cannot pass on citizenship to his children due to practical concerns.
2. Italian Citizenship by Marriage
Obtaining Italian citizenship by marriage civil union is a viable option for individuals who are married to an Italian citizen. This process involves a waiting period of two years from the date of marriage before the non-Italian spouse can apply for citizenship. During this time, the couple must maintain a valid marriage and reside together in Italy; or they must spend at least three years married if they live abroad.
The application process typically involves gathering and submitting various documents to support the claim, including proof of marriage, residency, and language proficiency.
If you want to acquire Italian citizenship by marriage, you must fulfill some conditions according to Italian Law:
- Firstly, you must be married to an Italian citizen.
- Your marriage must be officially registered in Italy (it must take place in an Italian municipality).
- You must reside in Italy for at least two years from the date of marriage. If you are abroad, the waiting period is extended to 3 years.
- Also, if you have small children, the waiting period is halved.
3. Italian Citizenship by Residency (Naturalization)
Obtaining Italian citizenship by naturalization is a process available to non-Italian citizens who have lived in Italy for a specific period of time, meaning that you must move to Italy. The required residency period varies depending on the applicant’s circumstances, but it is typically ten years for non-EU citizens and four years for EU citizens.
The applicant must also meet certain language and cultural proficiency requirements, which are demonstrated through passing specific exams. Upon meeting all the requirements, the foreign residents can apply for Italian citizenship by naturalization, which typically involves submitting various documents, including proof of residency and good character.
As a foreign national seeking Italian citizenship, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have legally resided in Italy for the required period of time.
- You must know Italian at least at level B1 according to the EU Common Language Framework.
- You must have a zero criminal record and good behavior.
- You must have sufficient financial means to support yourself and your dependents.
Can You Get Italian Citizenship by Investment?
Although Italian citizenship cannot be directly obtained through investment, the Italy Golden Visa program, which allows you to reside and work in Italy legally, can lead to Italian citizenship if you are ready to make a full-time commitment. To achieve that, you must prove your legal residence. You can attain Italian citizenship if you live there for at least 10 years (at least 183 days per year) and meet other legal requirements.
The Italy Golden Visa Program, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, is an investment migration program that offers non-EU/EEA/Swiss investors and their families a fast-track pathway to obtaining Italian residency permits. The program allows investors who make a qualifying investment in the Italian economy to get an Italian residency permit in exchange.
Under the program, investors can choose from several investment options. These investment alternatives are as follows:
- €2 million in Italian government bonds
- €500k in an Italian business
- €250k in an innovative Italian startup
- A donation of at least €1m to a philanthropic initiative in Italy
The Italy Golden Visa Program offers a range of benefits, including a fast-track application process, no minimum stay requirement, the ability to bring immediate family members, and visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area. It is primarily preferred for lifestyle reasons, especially by those who plan to retire to Italy in the future.
Get Golden Visa: How We Can Assist You
Since 2014, at Get Golden Visa, we have provided assistance to investors from 47 nationalities across 16 residency and citizenship programs worldwide. Building on this global experience, the Italian Golden Visa is one of the main programs we help investors navigate. Once you contact us, our team will analyze your needs and priorities.
To learn your options, fill in the form below.
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How to Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship?
1. Decide on the path you qualify for
The first step toward Italian citizenship is deciding which path you qualify for. From that, you can gather information on how the process works and the required documentation.
2. Gather the necessary documents
Depending on the path you prefer, you must collect the required documents to submit your application to the Italian Consulate. Please note that foreign documents must become legally valid in Italy.
3. Apply through the Italian consulate in your country or directly in Italy
Then you must submit your application to the Italian consulate in your country or, if you legally reside in Italy, directly in Italy. You attend an appointment and submit all papers.
Note that if you apply for citizenship by marriage or residency, you do not need to attend a meeting; you can submit your application through the Italian Ministry of the Interior website. You must scan all the documents and upload them to the system. Once approved, you need to visit the local prefettura in person with the original documents.
Step 4: Government Review
The consulate or municipality will check out if you meet the citizenship requirements. If any information is missing, they may request additional documentation or delay approval.
Step 5: Get your citizenship recognition
Once approved, your citizenship is officially recognized. Then, you can apply for an Italian passport.
How to Get an Italian Passport
To get an Italian passport, you must first become an Italian citizen. As discussed earlier, this can be achieved by various means, including being born in Italy, having Italian ancestry, or marrying an Italian citizen. Once you have Italian citizenship, you can apply for an Italian passport at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
Once you’ve obtained Italian citizenship, you will need to gather the following required documents to apply for an Italian passport:
- A valid Italian identity card
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Italian tax code
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Previous passport (if you have one)
- Payment receipt of the passport fee
It’s important to note that the process for obtaining an Italian passport may vary depending on the country in which you apply. Additionally, you may be required to provide additional documents, such as a certificate of good conduct or a certificate of residency.
It’s recommended to contact your local Italian consulate or embassy for more information on the specific requirements and application process.
How Long Does it Take to Become an Italian Citizen?
The timeline for becoming an Italian citizen varies depending on the path you choose. If you prefer citizenship by descent, you must gather the required documentation, as citizenship will not automatically pass to you. This process may take around 1-2 years, depending on how complicated your case is.
If you prefer citizenship by marriage, you first need to meet the minimum timeline requirements to apply. If you live abroad, your waiting period will be three years; if you live in Italy, your timeline will be two years. Then, you can get your citizenship within 24 to 36 months from the date of your application.
On the other hand, if you apply for naturalization, you must have lived in Italy for at least 10 years. Then, your timeline will be around 24 to 36 months from the application date.
Benefits of Getting an Italian Passport
By becoming an Italian citizen, individuals can embrace the language, traditions, and values of one of the world’s most iconic cultures.
Let’s take a quick look at how important Italian citizenship is:
- It frees your travel potential: Enjoy visa-free travel within Italy and the EU, opening doors to endless adventures and opportunities. Ranking 4th in the Get Golden Visa’s passport index, the Italian passport offers visa-free travel to 185 countries.
- It fuels your career: Take advantage of Italy’s extensive business network and EU market access to advance your career or start your own business.
- It simplifies your life: Benefit from streamlined property ownership and tax breaks designed to support entrepreneurs.
- It enhances the quality of life: Access world-class healthcare, educational programs like Erasmus, and various scholarships to enrich your life.
- It secures your future: Safeguard your well-being with social security benefits, including pensions, unemployment, and disability support.
- It preserves your heritage: Maintain your original citizenship while enjoying the privileges of Italian citizenship.
Disadvantages of Italian Dual Citizenship
While you can grant Italian citizenship that offers you the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the European Union, it also comes with disadvantages.
- The application process can be time-consuming and costly.
- Staying in Italy more than 183 days per year will make you a tax resident. If your home country does not have a double taxation agreement with Italy, you may pay double tax on the same income.
- You cannot obtain high-level government or military security clearances.
- Italian citizens living abroad must keep their information up to date with AIRE, Italy’s registry for citizens abroad. If you fail to update your address or status, you could face administrative problems or fines.
- The rules governing Italian citizenship by descent are now a major concern for many. If you want citizenship through descent, you must be careful.
- Managing two passports can sometimes be confusing. Certain countries expect you to enter and leave using a specific passport, so dual citizens must pay attention to travel rules.
- Another disadvantage is bureaucracy. Italian consulates are often busy, and processes like passport renewals or document registration can take a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions on Italian Citizenship
Is Italy getting rid of dual citizenship or citizenship by descent?
No, Italy is not eliminating dual citizenship entirely. You can still be both Italian and another nationality. What Italy has done is make citizenship by descent much stricter, especially for people applying through distant ancestors.
