Do you have to live in Italy?

Physical presence: 0 days / year. no residency required

What does it lead to?

citizenship. Typical time to status: 12–36 months.

Italy Citizenship by descent

Citizenship by descent · Italy

Italy's citizenship by descent starts see requirements, leads to citizenship, and typically takes 12–36 months.

From: see requirements
Time to status: 12–36 months
Presence: 0 days / year
Leads to: citizenship

Key requirements

an Italian parent or grandparent who was a citizen at birth
a documented, unbroken line

Tightened in 2025 (Decree-Law 36/2025, upheld by the Constitutional Court in March 2026): now limited to an Italian parent or grandparent. Great-grandparent claims no longer qualify unless filed before 27 March 2025.

Frequently asked

How much does Italy's citizenship by descent cost?: It starts see requirements. .
Do you have to live in Italy?: Physical presence: 0 days / year. no residency required
What does it lead to?: citizenship. Typical time to status: 12–36 months.

Verified 2026-06-16