A PATHWAY TO ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP

Italian citizenship is one of the most sought-after nationalities in the world. Whilst numerous migrants today secure Italian citizenship and residency rights by investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in Italy or relocating to Italy, those with an ancestral connection with Italy may attain Italian citizenship through a more straightforward and affordable route.

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT (“ITALIAN CBA”).

If you meet specific requirements as someone of Italian descent, you can apply for Italian citizenship without needing to buy property or invest in a business in Italy. While legal costs for Italian CBA vary depending on the complexity of the case, such costs are typically significantly lower that those required by other immigration options. This is because Italian CBA applicants are entitled to secure Italian citizenship by blood (jure sanguinis) and they typically go through a simpler citizenship application process compared to other migrants.

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY ANCESTRY KEYPOINTS

1. An ancestral link to Italy allows for Italian citizenship by descent.
2. Acquiring Italian citizenship by descent provides benefits, such as EU rights, healthcare, education, and a powerful passport.
3. The process to secure Italian citizenship by descent involves gathering documentation and preparing an application reviewed by the Italian authority.
4. Italian language proficiency is not a requirement for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent.
5. Obtaining Italian citizenship by descent requires an investment of time, money, and effort but provides various benefits depending on personal goals and circumstances.

ADVANTAGES OF ACQUIRING ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP 

Securing Italian citizenship can bring a host of benefits. One may not only gain the right to live, work, and study freely in Italy and anywhere in the European Union (“EU”) by becoming Italian citizens, but they may also apply for social securities, healthcare subsidies, and education benefits from any EU member states. 

Additionally, those who qualify for Italian CBA may secure one of the most coveted travel documents in the world

THE ITALIAN PASSPORT BY DESCENT

The Italian passport is ranked the third most powerful passport in the world in 2023 (Source) and holders of Italian passports are granted visa free/ visa-on-arrival access to 174 destinations around the globe. Moreover, in cases of emergencies, Italian passport holders may seek consular assistance and protection from any EU embassy.

QUALIFYING FOR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

The advantage of the Italian CBA program is that the program imposes no generational barriers on its applicants, so those with an ancestral link with Italy may qualify for Italian CBA regardless of how far back their ancestral lines extend.

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERAL RULE AND EXCEPTIONS
FOR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT ELIGIBILITY

The general rule is that those of Italian descent may apply for Italian CBA as long as their Italian ancestor was born in Italy on or after Italy was unified as a nation on 17 March 1861 and there is no interruption in the ancestral link due to renunciation or loss of Italian nationality by one of the ancestors.

However, there are a number of notable exceptions from this general rule. For example, since Italy did not recognize dual citizenship till 1992, Italian citizens who emigrated abroad and secured another citizenship before 1992 may not pass their Italian citizenship to their descendants. Additionally, if one’s lineage involves an Italian ancestor who secured foreign citizenship as a minor after 1992, the applicant may claim Italian CBA only if the ancestor of concern secured the foreign citizenship by “right of soil” at birth. 

Due to the numerous exceptions at play, it is very important to carefully review all variables involved in an applicant’s lineage and this is why a case-by-case approach when assessing prospective candidates’ eligibility for the program.

STEPS TO SECURING THE ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

The process to claiming Italian citizenship and passport through your bloodline typically starts with gathering of the necessary documentation to establish your link with the Italian ancestor.

GATHERING AND PREPARING ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION

If you do not have sufficient documentation proving your connection with your Italian ancestor or the registration of your ancestor as an Italian, it may be necessary to conduct a search for the relevant records at the Italian authority prior to preparing your citizenship application. Once you gather all required documentation, carefully review and prepare the citizenship application to ensure it meets the submission standards set by the Italian authority.

HOW LONG TO GET ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT?

On average, the Italian authority takes about 1-2 years to process Italian Citizenship by Descent applications, but the processing time could vary depending on the complexity of your case and the overall presentation of your file. The processing time might take longer, if your application is incomplete or the documentation is incorrectly translated or legalized.

RECEIVING ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP

If you meet all the requirements, the Italian authority will grant citizenship, allowing successful applicants to apply for Italian citizenship and the corresponding passport, and enjoy the rights and freedoms typically associated with EU citizens.

WHERE CAN I GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE?

If you have an Italian ancestor and would like to learn more about the Italian Citizenship by Descent  program please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Our lawyers would be delighted to conduct a free preliminary assessment and consider if you have a qualifying ancestor to meet the eligibility criteria of the Italian CBA program.