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Apply directly in Italy

Are you ready to begin your journey towards obtaining Italian citizenship as soon as possible? Applying for Italian citizenship by descent in Italy is often one of the quickest routes to achieve this goal.

While many consulates worldwide have long waiting times for initial appointments, applying in Italy can expedite the process, as appointments are generally not required in most municipalities, allowing for a faster completion.

Individuals who opt to apply in Italy often have a desire to explore their ancestral roots or simply experience life in Italy during the application process. Some may use this time to travel and discover other European countries as well.

Italy Process at a Glance

Step 1: Travel to Italy . You can enter Italy as a tourist and establish residency for the purpose of applying for Italian citizenship by descent. Most involved offices accept walk-ins, eliminating the need for special appointments.

Step 2: "Codice Fiscale" and "Dichiarazione di Presenza" Upon arrival in Italy, you may need to submit a "dichiarazione di presenza" to inform the Italian government of your arrival, especially if your passport wasn't stamped in Italy. Obtaining an Italian tax code ("codice fiscale") may also be necessary, which can be acquired quickly through the local "Agenzia Delle Entrate."

Step 3: Establish Residency Italian law allows you to travel to Italy as a tourist and establish residency in a chosen town for the purpose of the citizenship application. Suitable accommodations must be secured, such as a lease agreement for long term renal or proof of property ownership.

Step 4: Local Police Verification Local police will verify your residency, a standard procedure for anyone changing residency in Italy. This typically involves a brief visit to confirm your residence. Police have 45 days to check you.

Step 5: Application for Citizenship Once you've established residency, you can formally apply for Italian citizenship through the city hall's citizenship office. Submit all required documents and allow for the necessary evaluations.

Step 6: Residency Permit Application As the process often exceeds the 90-day limit for non-European citizens to stay in Europe, you'll need to apply for a residency permit based on the dual citizenship application to continue residing in Italy.

Step 7: Obtainment of Citizenship and Passport Application The processing time for citizenship can vary based on factors such as complexity and the specific municipality. After citizenship is granted, you can apply for an Italian passport directly in Italy or register with the AIRE registry and apply through your local Italian consulate.

For further information on applying in Italy with our Italian Dual Citizenship Experts, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Who Qualifies for Italian Citizenship? 


Do you qualify?

To ascertain your potential jure sanguinis Italian citizenship, you must trace if either of your parents was an Italian citizen when you were born and could pass on citizenship. If the parent's Italian citizenship wasn't registered in Italy, you need to establish a chain of Italian ancestors, starting with the last known Italian citizen ancestor (LIRA), whose Italian citizenship is confirmed through official records. This process involves obtaining birth and citizenship certificates from Italy for each ancestor in your direct line, demonstrating the passing of Italian citizenship through generations. There's no limit to the number of generations, as long as your LIRA was a documented Italian citizen.


To substantiate your citizenship claim, essential documentation (vital records) is vital, demonstrating the lineage from one generation to the next. These documents establish if and when your last known Italian citizen ancestor (LIRA) naturalized, ensuring Italian citizenship was intact for the subsequent generations. Additionally, it's essential for recognized Italian citizens to maintain updated records with their hometown (comune), detailing life events like marriages, divorces, or the birth of their children.

While jure sanguinis means “right of blood”, DNA is not acceptable proof to the consulate and they don’t want to see it.

Each consulate (or comune) establishes a list of the documents that they will require to support your application. Some, but not all, consulates list these documents on their websites, but these lists are not always accurate and they are subject to change. It may be surprising, but unlike the uniform enforcement of federal law in the USA, Italian Jure Sanguinis (JS) citizenship law lacks consistency in enforcement. This disparity is evident in the varying requirements set by different American Italian Consulates. Moreover, this inconsistency extends to the enforcement of JS law when applying directly in Italy, underscoring the critical role of selecting the right comune in your JS Italian journey. Certain comunes in Italy are openly hostile to the idea of JS law, making the choice of comune a pivotal decision. Some comunes even conduct surprise police checks post-residency establishment. While the general advice is to remain in the comune until citizenship recognition, the enforcement and reality of JS laws significantly vary across locations in Italy.

We can help.

White Glove

Embarking on your Italian citizenship journey can be daunting. Rest assured, we offer an exclusive white-glove service, valuing quality over quantity, ensuring a flawless experience for every client