Italy's Citizenship Laws To Be Eased: What It Means For Non-EU |

Name: Italy's Citizenship Laws To Be Eased: What It Means For Non-EU | IaM
Uploaded: 2024-10-02T16:00:00+00:00
Description: Great news for those dreaming of making Italy their forever home! If you're a non-EU national living in

Italy’s Citizenship Laws To Be Eased: What It Means For Non-EU Nationals

Great news for those dreaming of making Italy their forever home! If you're a non-EU national living in Italy or considering a move, the path to citizenship could soon be much shorter, thanks to a new campaign.

Currently, non-EU nationals must live in Italy for at least 10 years before they can apply for citizenship by residency. However, a recent push by campaigners aims to reduce this period to just 5 years, making Italy’s rules similar to those of Germany, France, Portugal, and the UK.

This movement gained serious momentum when opposition politicians, alongside organisations like Oxfam Italia, announced they had gathered enough signatures to put the issue up for a national referendum.

Riccardo Magi, a key opposition lawmaker and advocate for the change, took to social media to celebrate:

“We did it! In just a few days, 500,000 citizens signed for the #CitizenshipReferendum.”

What’s at Stake for Foreigners?

If the referendum is approved, around 2.5 million foreigners in Italy could benefit from the relaxed rules, drastically shortening the wait time to apply for citizenship.

According to the European Commission, Italy's citizenship criteria are among the most stringent in Europe

The campaign also aims to address long-standing injustices. Currently, even children born in Italy to non-EU parents can’t apply for citizenship until they turn 18 unless their parents become Italian citizens first. This proposed law would be a huge step toward a more inclusive Italy.

The path to change isn’t guaranteed. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy party is strongly opposed to easing the current 10-year rule, with Meloni herself stating that she sees “no need to change” a law she describes as “reasonable.”

Still, supporters are optimistic. The next step is for two of Italy’s highest courts to approve the referendum, and if a 50% voter turnout is reached, the result will be binding.

How to Become an Italian Citizen by Residency

For those eager to start their journey to Italian citizenship, here’s what the current process looks like. Once you’ve lived in Italy for the required time (10 years, for now), you can submit an online application to the Ministry of the Interior.

You’ll need to gather several important documents, including:

Your birth certificate (translated and authenticated)
Criminal records from your home country
Proof of your Italian residency
A certificate showing B1-level proficiency in Italian

The application fee is €250, and it can take some time to process but a successful application will unlock all the benefits of being an Italian citizen.

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