Italian citizenship by residence
Italian citizenship by residence: how many years are required (10 for non-EU, 4 for EU citizens), income and language requirements, continuous residence and how to apply.
Quick answer
Citizenship by residence (naturalisation) generally requires ten years of legal, continuous residence in Italy for non-EU citizens, four years for EU citizens and five years for refugees and stateless persons. Adequate income, no disqualifying criminal record and Italian at B1 level are also required.
The key requirement is legal and continuous residence: a valid permit is not enough — you need documented anagrafe registration for the whole required period, without significant gaps.
In June 2025 the referendum proposing to cut the residence period from ten to five years failed to reach the required turnout, so the current rules remain unchanged. If that changes, we will update this page.
Who this guide is for
People who have lived in Italy for years and are considering naturalisation.
What you need
- Legal, continuous residence for the required period (generally 10 years, 4 for EU citizens)
- Historical residence certificate and family status certificate
- Income documents for the last few years
- Italian language certificate at B1 level or above, unless exempt
- Criminal record and pending charges certificates
Step-by-step process
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1. Verify your residence period
Request a historical residence certificate and check for gaps before applying.
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2. Prepare documents
Income, criminal records and translated, legalised foreign birth records take the longest to obtain.
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3. Apply online
Applications are filed through the Ministry of the Interior’s online portal, with a contribution and a revenue stamp.
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4. Follow your file
Prefectures process applications: you can check the status online and respond to requests for additional documents.
Documents
- — Historical residence certificate and family status certificate
- — Valid residence permit (or equivalent title)
- — Income documents (income certificate, tax return)
- — Foreign birth certificate, translated and legalised
- — Criminal record and pending charges certificates
- — Italian language certificate at B1 level, unless an exemption applies
- — Contribution receipt and revenue stamp
Indicative costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application contribution | €250.00 | Set by law; paid using the methods indicated by the portal. |
| Revenue stamp | €16.00 |
Amounts are those published by official sources on the review date and may change: always check the current amount before paying.
Timelines
| Stage | Typical timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative procedure | 24 months, extendable to 36 | Term set by law; actual times can vary. |
Timelines shown are typical ranges reported by official sources or observed in practice: they are not guaranteed.
What happens next
- Start foreign documents early: translation, legalisation or apostille take weeks.
- Check the required Italian level and, if needed, enrol in a certified course.
- Track your application online and keep your application number.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Applying with undocumented periods of residence.
Better approach: Request the historical residence certificate and clarify gaps in advance.
Mistake: Assuming citizenship is automatic once the years have passed.
Better approach: The authority assesses all requirements before granting citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
- Does my residence permit need to be valid during the whole procedure?
- Legal residence must be maintained: renew your permit and keep your anagrafe registration updated while the application is processed.
- Did the 2025 referendum change the ten-year rule?
- No. The June 2025 referendum did not reach the required turnout, so the ten-year requirement remains in force.
Related guides
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Italian language requirement: B1 level
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Documents for citizenship
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Citizenship route checker
Helps you navigate citizenship routes and shows requirements and official sources.
Official sources
This page is based on the official sources listed below. Open them to check the most recent information directly with the competent authority.
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ALI Portal — Citizenship (Ministry of the Interior) (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno — DLCI · in italiano
Portale telematico ufficiale per presentare e consultare la domanda di cittadinanza italiana (accesso con SPID o CIE).
Link last verified:
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Normattiva — Italian legislation database (opens in a new tab)
Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri · in italiano
Banca dati ufficiale del testo vigente delle norme italiane, incluso il Testo Unico sull’immigrazione (D.Lgs. 286/1998).
Link last verified:
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Prefectures — Territorial Government Office (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno · in italiano
Portale delle Prefetture, competenti su cittadinanza, sportelli unici per l’immigrazione e nulla osta.
Link last verified:
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Ministry of the Interior — Historical election archive (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno — DAIT · in italiano
Risultati ufficiali delle consultazioni elettorali e referendarie, compreso il referendum del giugno 2025.
Link last verified:
Important notice
The information published on ItalyDocsHub is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and requirements may change. For current information and advice regarding your specific situation, always consult the relevant official authority or a qualified professional.
- Last reviewed
- Content owner
- ItalyDocsHub Editorial Team