Italy · Descent · Citizenship

Italy Citizenship by Descent

Eligible applicants can ask Italy to recognise citizenship through descent under the current rules for applicants born abroad.

Value scoreCheckingPassport data under review

5-year costCheckingone applicant, not recoverable

Decision24 monthsofficial processing time

Official program page

Value: what the Citizenship by Descent gives you

Passport reach 25 pts weightChecking

Path to citizenship 25 pts weight100

Work, family, healthcare 20 pts weightChecking

Stay rule 15 pts weightChecking

Tax on foreign income 10 pts weightChecking

Policy stability 5 pts weight60

Passport: visa-free destinations: Checking
Years to permanent residence: Checking
Years to citizenship: ImmediatelyOfficialItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 2026-11-15This is recognition of citizenship, with no prior temporary residence stage for eligible applicants.
Leads to citizenship: Checking
Can work for a local employer: YesOfficial, secondaryEuropean Union, checked 2026-11-15Once recognised as a citizen, an applicant can work for a local employer in Italy without an immigration work permit.
Same application for spouse and children: Checking
Public healthcare: Checking
Minimum stay per year: Checking
Tax on foreign income: Checking
Dual citizenship allowed: YesOfficialItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Italy permits multiple nationalities, while the amended descent eligibility has additional restrictions.
Rule changes, last 24 months: ChangedOfficialItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Law no. 74 of 23 May 2025 changed transmission of citizenship to applicants born abroad who hold another nationality.

Cost: what the Citizenship by Descent costs over five years

Government fees: $663.12Official, secondaryItalian Consulate General in Boston, checked 2026-11-15EUR 600 is the adult consular recognition fee. Local-currency collection differs by consulate. Conversion: EUR 600 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.
Non-refundable contribution: $0Official, secondaryItalian Consulate General in Boston, checked 2026-11-15The consular process has an application fee and no required donation.
Due diligence: Checking
Compulsory extras, first year: Checking
Renewal fees, first 5 years: $0OfficialItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, checked 2026-11-15Recognition of citizenship has no five-year residence renewal fee.
Investment you may get back: Checking
Minimum income per month: Checking
Extra for a spouse and two children: Checking
Typical adviser fees (not in the total): Checking

USD estimates use the 13 November 2026 reference rates of the European Central Bank, Central Bank of Armenia and Central Bank of the UAE, and the Central Bank of Uruguay rate for UYU. The Panamanian balboa uses its official one-to-one parity.

Speed: how long the Citizenship by Descent takes

Official processing time: 730 daysOfficial, secondaryItalian Consulate General in Jerusalem, checked 2026-11-15Statutory consular recognition period from submission. Appointment wait is outside this clock.
Reported processing time (median): Checking
Approval to card or passport: Checking

Sources

Italian citizenship, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Checked 2026-11-15.
Jure Sanguinis (citizenship for descent), Italian Consulate General in Boston. Checked 2026-11-15.
Citizenship by descent, statutory consular procedure, Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem. Checked 2026-11-15.
Working in the EU – your rights, European Union. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

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