Citizenship by Residency

The Residency Pathway

If you are a non-EU citizen wanting to move to Italy, there is a pathway for you to become a citizen. It takes a full 10 years before you'll be granted citizenship, but the opportunity does exist.

Exceptions to the 10 Year Rule

• Born in Italy (3 years) — If you were born in Italy to non-Italian citizens, you must only be established as a permanent resident for 3 years.
• EU Citizen (4 years) — If you are a citizen of another EU country, you must only be established as a permanent resident for 4 years.
• Stateless / Refugee (5 years) — Stateless persons or refugees recognized by Italy can apply after 5 years of residency.
• Married to Italian (2 years) — If married to an Italian citizen and residing in Italy, the waiting period is reduced to 2 years (1 year with children).

Requirements

• Continuous legal residency in Italy for the required period
• Italian language proficiency at B1 level (CEFR)
• Sufficient income / financial stability
• No criminal record
• Valid residency permit throughout the entire period

Italian Language B1 Certification

You will need to demonstrate Italian language proficiency at the B1 level. Recognized certifications include CILS, CELI, PLIDA, and others from approved institutions.

Recognized Testing Institutions in Italy