Italian Citizenship
What citizenship is: Citizenship is the legal status that gives a person full civil and political rights. In Italy it is governed mainly by Law no. 91 of 5 February 1992.
You can become an Italian citizen through:
- Descent (iure sanguinis)
- Naturalisation
- Marriage
- Birth in Italy (ius soli)
- Special merit
- Other specific cases
Law 91/1992, as amended, also sets out how citizenship is acquired and when it can be lost.
Immigration and Residence Permits
What a residence permit is: A residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) is the document that allows foreign nationals and stateless people to live in Italy and to exercise the rights that come with their type of permit.
The main laws are Legislative Decree no. 286 of 25 July 1998 (the Consolidated Immigration Act) and its implementing regulations: Presidential Decree no. 394 of 31 August 1999 and Presidential Decree no. 179 of 14 September 2011.
Italy has many types of residence permit, and each has its own requirements, procedure and rights.
Applying for Italian citizenship or a residence permit can feel like a game of chess: the rules are complex, the paperwork is heavy, and the authorities are often slow to respond.
Good legal advice can make the whole process smoother and help get your application decided.
Avv. Lombardo works in English, Italian and Spanish, in person at her office in Turin or online, wherever you are in Italy. Request a consultation.
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Consultations in English, Italian or Spanish, at the office in Turin or online anywhere in Italy.