If you became a citizen of any country other than Italy before 1992, here is how to reacquire Italian citizenship.
Before August 16, 1992
If you were an Italian citizen who naturalized in another country before August 16, 1992, you automatically relinquished your right to Italian citizenship. This even applies to Italian children who were naturalized with their parents when brought to a new country as minors.
However, Italy allows former citizens to reacquire their citizenship. The process involves establishing residency in Italy for one year, or demonstrating a continued connection to Italy.
How to Reacquire
There are several pathways to reacquire Italian citizenship that was lost through naturalization before 1992:
- Residency in Italy — Establish legal residency in Italy for one year and submit a declaration of intent to reacquire citizenship to your local comune.
- Government Service — Enter into service for the Italian government, even if abroad.
- Declaration — Declare the intention to reacquire citizenship and establish residency in Italy within one year of the declaration.
After August 15, 1992
On August 16, 1992, Italian law changed. From that date forward, Italian citizens who naturalize in another country no longer automatically lose their Italian citizenship. This means if you naturalized after this date, you likely still hold Italian citizenship and simply need to have it recognized.
Important: The March 28, 2025 regulation changes may affect your ability to reacquire citizenship. Consult with a specialist to understand how the new rules apply to your situation.