Minimum cost
$270
application fee
Timeline
2 years
residency required
Visa-free access
185
passport rank #4
Dual citizenship
Allowed
Path to citizenship
- Residency2 years · any
- Apply730-1095 days
- Citizenshipafter the oath
Overview
- Country
- Italy
- Program
- Italy Citizenship by Marriage
- Local name
- Cittadinanza per Matrimonio
- Type
- Marriage Fast-Track
- Status
- Active
- Residency required
- 2 years
- Processing time
- 730-1095 days
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 185 destinations
- Passport rank
- #4 (Henley Index)
Foreign spouses of Italian citizens living in Italy can apply after 2 years of legal residency while married, reduced to 1 year if the couple has children (biological or adopted). Spouses living abroad can apply after 3 years of marriage, reduced to 18 months with children. Requires B1 Italian language certification.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $270
Eligibility and requirements
- Minimum age 18+
- Police clearance required
- Medical exam not required
- Language B1 (CELI, CILS, PLIDA, or Roma Tre (CLIQ-certified))
- Language exemptions Italian education diploma holders
- Oath required
Residency requirements
- Residency required
- 2 years
- Residency type
- Any
- Continuous
- Must be unbroken
- Cohabitation
- Must live with spouse
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #4 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 185 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- Yes
- Schengen access
- Yes
- US E-2 treaty
- Yes — eligible for US investor visa
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Open
- Official website
- www.esteri.it
- Legal basis
- Legge 91/1992 Art. 5
Notes and caveats
Italy residence route: 24 months of legal residence after marriage, reduced to 12 months if the couple has children. Abroad route: 36 months of marriage, reduced to 18 months with children. Marriage must be valid and registered with Italian civil registry. Couple must still be married at time of application AND when citizenship is granted. Application fee is EUR 250. Processing typically 24-36 months.