Skip to content Italy allows dual citizenship: those who acquire Italian nationality are not required to renounce their original citizenship. This principle is enshrined in Article 11 of Law No. 91 of 5 February 1992, which governs the entire Italian citizenship system.
This guide covers all available routes to obtain dual Italian citizenship — by descent, marriage or naturalisation — the requirements updated to the 2025 reform, timelines, costs and the practical advantages of holding a dual passport.
Update — Law 74/2025: Law No. 74 of 23 May 2025 (in force from 24 May 2025) has profoundly reformed the Italian citizenship by descent system (jure sanguinis), introducing generational limits for the first time. Dual citizenship remains fully permitted, but the rules for acquiring it by descent have changed radically.
Does Italy allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Unlike many countries that impose citizenship exclusivity (Japan, China, India, Austria with some exceptions), Italy fully allows dual and multiple citizenship without restrictions.
Article 11 of Law 91/1992 states:
“A citizen who holds, acquires or reacquires a foreign citizenship retains Italian citizenship, but may renounce it provided they reside or establish residence abroad.”
This means two things: an Italian citizen who obtains foreign citizenship automatically retains Italian citizenship unless formally renounced; and a foreigner who acquires Italian citizenship is not required to renounce their original citizenship (unless their own country requires it).
How to obtain dual Italian citizenship: the three routes
1. Dual citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis)
This is the fastest route for those with Italian ancestors. It is based on the jure sanguinis principle (right of blood): citizenship is transmitted through a direct genealogical line from an Italian ancestor.
Critical update from 24 May 2025: Law 74/2025 has introduced a generational limit for the first time. The rules are now completely different depending on the date the application was submitted.
Applications submitted after 27 March 2025 — new regime:Automatic Italian citizenship is no longer acquired by those born abroad who hold another citizenship, unless one of the following exceptions applies: the applicant has a parent or grandparent who was (or is) exclusively Italian at the time of death (or still is); a parent (including adoptive) has legally resided in Italy for at least 2 consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the birth or adoption of the child; or the application had been submitted (with full documentation) or the appointment had been booked by 23:59 on 27 March 2025 — in which case the old regime applies.
In summary: from 24 May 2025, automatic transmission by descent is limited to the first and second generation (parent or grandparent). Those with more distant ancestors no longer have the right to automatic recognition.
Applications submitted by 27 March 2025 — old regime:The historical rules apply: no generational limit, provided the line of transmission was not interrupted by a naturalisation or renunciation by an ancestor before the birth of the next descendant.
Required documents: Birth, marriage and death certificates of Italian ancestors and descendants, in chronological order; certificate of non-naturalisation of the Italian ancestor (or date of any naturalisation, to verify whether the line was interrupted); identity documents of the applicant. All foreign certificates must be legalised or apostilled and translated to be valid in Italy.
2. Dual citizenship by marriage
The foreign or stateless spouse of an Italian citizen may acquire Italian citizenship by marriage, retaining their original nationality.
| Situation | Time required |
|---|---|
| Residence in Italy after marriage | 2 years |
| Residence abroad after marriage | 3 years from the date of marriage |
| With children born or adopted by the spouses | 1 year (Italy) or 18 months (abroad) |
Key documents: marriage certificate (transcribed in Italy if celebrated abroad); certificate of residence; criminal record certificate (Italy and foreign countries of residence after age 14); B1 Italian language certification; receipt of €250 fee payment.
3. Dual citizenship by naturalisation (residence)
Foreigners who have legally resided in Italy for a minimum period may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation, retaining their original citizenship.
| Category | Years of residence |
|---|---|
| Foreigner with exclusively Italian parent/grandparent by birth | 2 years (reduced by Law 74/2025) |
| Foreigner born in Italy (adult) | 3 years (new provision of Law 74/2025) |
| EU citizen | 4 years |
| Stateless person or refugee | 5 years |
| Adult adopted by an Italian citizen | 5 years from the date of adoption |
| Foreigner — standard route | 10 years |
Advantages of dual Italian citizenship
Automatic EU citizenship: freedom of movement and residence in all 27 EU Member States, the EEA and Switzerland; right to work and study in any EU state without a visa or permit; consular protection from any EU diplomatic representation in third countries; right to petition the European Parliament.
Italian passport: ranked 4th in the world in the Henley Passport Index 2026, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 185 countries.
Political rights in Italy: right to vote in local, national and European elections; possibility of holding public office; participation in referendums.
Labour market access: free employment in Italy and throughout the EU without a residence permit or visa.
Retention of rights in the country of origin: maintenance of all civil, political and property rights in the country of origin (subject to local law restrictions).
Disadvantages and considerations
Potential double taxation: some countries (notably the United States) tax their citizens based on nationality, regardless of residence. Always check the double taxation convention between Italy and your country of origin.
Military obligations: in some countries, holding citizenship may entail conscription or military service obligations.
Multiple passports: when entering Italy or the EU, use the Italian passport; when entering the country of origin, use that country’s passport.
Restrictions in the country of origin: some states do not allow dual citizenship (Japan, China, Singapore, India, Indonesia) — in these cases, acquiring Italian citizenship may result in automatic loss of the original one. Always check with your consulate.
How to apply
| Situation | Competent office |
|---|---|
| Residents in Italy | Prefecture of the province of residence (for naturalisation/marriage); Municipality (for jure sanguinis recognition) |
| Residents abroad | Italian Consulate competent for the territory of residence |
Since 2015, applications for citizenship by marriage and by residence must be submitted online through the Citizenship Services Portal, with authentication via SPID or CIE.
Standard procedure: registration and authentication to the portal; completion of the application form; uploading of required documents in digital format; payment of the government fee; submission of the application; summons to the Prefecture or Consulate for integration and verification; issuance of the granting decree and oath ceremony.
Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Government fee | €250.00 |
| Revenue stamp | €16.00 |
| Legalisation and apostille of foreign documents | variable by country (€20–€100/document) |
| Sworn translation of documents | variable (€30–€80/page) |
| B1 language certification (if required) | €100–€180 |
Total cost typically ranges between €500 and €1,500, depending on the complexity of the file.
Processing times
| Type of application | Average time |
|---|---|
| Citizenship by descent — via Municipality (residents in Italy) | 6–12 months |
| Citizenship by descent — via Consulate | up to 24 months |
| Citizenship by marriage or residence | up to 36 months from submission |
| Applications pre-20 December 2020 | up to 48 months |
Italian language requirement
For citizenship by marriage or naturalisation, a B1 CEFR Italian language certification is required, issued by one of the following bodies: University for Foreigners of Siena (CILS); University for Foreigners of Perugia (CELI); Roma Tre University; Dante Alighieri Society (PLIDA).
Exempt from the requirement: those who have signed the integration agreement; holders of a long-term EU residence permit. For citizenship by descent, knowledge of Italian is not required.
Dual Italian-US citizenship: tax aspects
Americans who obtain dual Italian citizenship retain the obligation to file annual tax returns in the United States (citizenship-based taxation rule). However: the Italy-USA double taxation convention prevents duplicate taxation on the same income; American citizens who become Italian tax residents may access the impatriate regime or, if HNWI, the new residents regime (flat tax on foreign income); FBAR and FATCA declarations are mandatory for Italian accounts above the applicable thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
Does Italy allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Article 11 of Law 91/1992 explicitly allows dual and multiple citizenship.
Can I lose Italian citizenship if I obtain another nationality?
No. Italian citizenship is automatically retained even when acquiring another citizenship, unless formally renounced.
How much does it cost to apply for dual Italian citizenship?
The government fee is €250.00, plus costs for legalisation and translation of foreign documents and, if required, B1 language certification (€100–€180).
Is citizenship by descent still possible in 2025?
Yes, but with significant limits introduced by Law 74/2025. From 24 May 2025, automatic transmission is limited to the first and second generation (parent or grandparent who is exclusively Italian).
How long does it take to obtain dual Italian citizenship?
It depends on the route: 6–12 months for descent via Municipality, up to 24 months via Consulate, up to 36 months for marriage or naturalisation.
Do I need to know Italian for dual citizenship?
B1 certification is mandatory for citizenship by marriage or residence. It is not required for citizenship by descent.
Can I hold three citizenships?
Yes. Italy allows multiple citizenship with no limit on number.