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Italy Citizenship for Indians: Key Eligibility Guide

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The desire to live in Europe keeps growing. Many people put Italy high on the list because of its rich history, beautiful scenery, and strong economy. Obtaining Italy citizenship for Indians who already reside there is the next step towards long-term security and opportunities.

But you'll need to learn more about the details before making Italy your permanent home. If you want to apply through residency, descent, or marriage, this complete guide will make the process easier.

Eligibility Criteria for Italy Citizenship

Foreign people, including Indian citizens, can apply for Italy citizenship in several legal ways, including:

1. By Residency

You have to live in Italy for a certain amount of time officially. How long it should be depends on your situation:

• 10 years for people from outside the EU, like Indians

• 5 years for people without a country to live in, or refugees

• Unless the law says otherwise, 3 years if you were born in Italy or have Italian blood.

2. By Descent (Jure Sanguinis)

If you have Italian blood going back to your great-grandparents, you might be able to get in even if you don't live in Italy. There must, however, be strict paperwork and a bloodline that goes back years.

3. By Marriage

If you are married to an Italian citizen, you can apply:

◦ After 2 years of marriage, while living in Italy

◦ After 3 years, if living outside Italy

◦ These durations are halved if you have children together.

4. By Birth

Children born in Italy to parents outside Italy do not immediately become citizens. But they can apply when they are 18 as long as they have lived in Italy their whole lives.

Step-by-Step Italy Citizenship Application Process

Particularly when applying through residency or marriage, obtaining Italy citizenship for Indians entails an organised process:

• Meet Residency Requirement:

Ensure you’ve lived legally in Italy for the required duration.

• Pass Language Test:

A minimum B1 level of Italian is mandatory (except in descent-based applications).

• Gather Documentation:

Collect and legalise all necessary documents (see next section).

• Submit Application Online:

Use Italy’s Ministry of Interior portal to apply.

• Background Check:

Authorities will run criminal background checks both in Italy and your home country.

• Interview (if applicable) :

Some applicants may be invited for an interview.

• Approval Timeline:

Approval can take 2-4 years, depending on the application route.

• Oath of Allegiance:

Once approved, you must take an oath at your local municipality.

Make sure your papers are still valid while you wait. This includes getting your travel insurance online, especially if you are going somewhere else in the world.

Required Documents for Italy Citizenship Application

You usually need the following documents (translated into Italian and legalised by an apostille or diplomatic validation):

1. Valid passport and residence permit

2. Birth certificate (with apostille)

3. Proof of continuous residence (certified)

4. Criminal background checks (from the home country and Italy)

5. Italian language certification (minimum B1 level)

6. Marriage certificate (if applying via marriage)

7. Proof of income (minimum €8,263 or ₹8,56,022 annually for single applicants)

8. Application form and receipt of payment

If you need to travel to or from Italy while your application is being processed, ensure you get travel insurance for Italy if you run into any medical or legal problems.

Application Fee for Indians Applying for Italy Citizenship

The entry fee that isn't refunded as of 2025 is:

1. €250 for applications based on residency or marriage

2. In INR, this is approximately ₹22,500 to ₹23,000, depending on currency conversion.

3. Method of Payment: You can pay online with a credit or debit card or a bank transfer.

Make sure you keep the ticket for the transaction; it's required by law.

Dual Citizenship in Italy: Is It Allowed?

In Italy, you can have more than one citizenship status. In theory, this means that Indian citizens who become Italian don't have to give up their Indian status.

But India does not allow people to have more than one passport. Under Indian law, obtaining Italy citizenship would automatically result in the loss of Indian citizenship.

That being said, you can get an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card to keep rights such as:

1. No need for a visa to enter India

2. Ownership of property

3. Jobs in the private industry (not the government)

Italy Citizenship Rejection: Common Reasons and How to Avoid Them?

There are many reasons why applications may be turned down. Avoid delays or refusal by remembering these things:

Reasons for rejection:

1. Documents that are missing or wrong

2. History of crimes (even small ones)

3. Not enough money to meet the requirements

4. Invalid or old papers

5. Not accepting the language certificate

How to avoid them?

1. Hire a good visa lawyer or expert.

2. Check the expiration date on every paper twice.

3. For papers that aren't in Italian, use authorised translators.

4. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.

5. Keep your international travel insurance up to date while you're travelling for processing.

And if you want to take a trip before or after your application, read our blog on things you should know before going to Italy. This is a list that all Indian travellers need to know.

Conclusion

It takes time, paperwork, and hard work to obtain Italy citizenship for Indians, but it's worth it. Becoming an Italian citizen gives you a lot of perks, like the ability to travel without a visa and EU rights.

During the process, make sure you stay up to date, follow all the law requirements, and don't make any common mistakes. If you plan carefully, you can reach your goal of becoming an Italian citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I live in another EU country; can I apply for Italy citizenship?

No, unless you are going through your family, you must meet the residency standard in Italy.

2. Do I need travel insurance while I'm applying for citizenship?

Yes, it is a good idea to keep your Schengen travel insurance up to date, especially if you plan to leave and enter Italy more than once.

3. What if it takes longer than 2 years to process my application for Italy citizenship?

There are often delays. After 24 months, you can send the Ministry warnings and even go to court if necessary.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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