Italy

Located in southern Europe and stretching into the Mediterranean sea, this “boot-shaped” country has a unique culture engulfed in beautiful architecture and landscapes of wide varieties. From the snow-capped Alps, to the waterways of Venice, home to the Vatican, and an unmatched culture of food and wine, the heart of the Roman Empire has endless possibilities to be explored and experienced.

NOTE: Important changes to Italy’s citizenship law went into effect March 2025.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can reclaim your Italian citizenship through your family lineage.

Important: In March 2025, Italy introduced major changes to its citizenship law that affect who can apply through ancestry. If you have not yet submitted your application or booked an appointment, it is essential to review the updated requirements to determine whether you are still eligible.

Member of the European Union

Number of Ways to Apply

1 Generations Removed

2 Travel Required?

No

The Italian government has allowed dual citizenship since August 15, 1992, meaning if you meet the proper requirements, you would be able to live, work, and study in any of the 28 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.

There is currently one way to apply for Italian citizenship using your family lineage.

If you know that you have an ancestor from Italy, we would be happy to discuss whether you can apply for citizenship. Below you will find a brief summary of what is required in order to apply.

Requirements

Many people whose parents or grandparents were born in the Italy qualify for Italian citizenship through descent. Below are the personal requirements you must meet, as well as the documentation you must be able to present.

Lineage Requirements

To qualify for Italian citizenship through ancestry, your family line must meet the following general conditions:

You must have a direct ancestor who was born in Italy after 1861.
That ancestor must have retained Italian citizenship until the birth of their child. If they became a citizen of another country before their child was born.
If your ancestry passes through a woman who gave birth before January 1, 1948, additional restrictions may apply depending on when your application was started.
If your application was not filed or scheduled before March 27, 2025, you may no longer be able to apply through certain family lines (particularly those involving female ancestors who gave birth before 1948).
In some cases, you may also be eligible if you or your parent or grandparent was born in Italy and later lost Italian citizenship after moving abroad.

Paperwork Requirements

To apply for Italian citizenship, you must have the appropriate documents in order, and of which must be translated into Italian. You must be able to provide translated copies of:

Your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, divorce paperwork, and apostille
Your mother and/or father’s birth certificates (for the side who has the Italian lineage)
Your parents’ marriage certificate
Certificates of Naturalization for your ancestors who held Italian citizenship
Death certificates of your relevant Italian ancestors

Are you required to travel?

Some countries require you to travel in order to receive your citizenship once you have proven to be related to a citizen, however, this is often not required by the Italian government! You can receive your Italian citizenship without ever leaving your home country.

Find out if you are eligible to regain your family’s Italian citizenship.

Fill out our contact form to the best of your ability to speak with one of our experienced associates about how we can help to guide you through the citizenship process!

Get Started

Italy

Keep reading to learn more about how you can reclaim your Italian citizenship through your family lineage.

Important: In March 2025, Italy introduced major changes to its citizenship law that affect who can apply through ancestry. If you have not yet submitted your application or booked an appointment, it is essential to review the updated requirements to determine whether you are still eligible.

Member of the European Union

Number of Ways to Apply

1

Generations Removed

2

Travel Required?

No

The Italian government has allowed dual citizenship since August 15, 1992, meaning if you meet the proper requirements, you would be able to live, work, and study in any of the 28 countries throughout the European Union with no restrictions.

There is currently one way to apply for Italian citizenship using your family lineage.

If you know that you have an ancestor from Italy, we would be happy to discuss whether you can apply for citizenship. Below you will find a brief summary of what is required in order to apply.

Requirements

Many people whose parents or grandparents were born in the Italy qualify for Italian citizenship through descent. Below are the personal requirements you must meet, as well as the documentation you must be able to present.

Lineage Requirements

To qualify for Italian citizenship through ancestry, your family line must meet the following general conditions:

You must have a direct ancestor who was born in Italy after 1861.

That ancestor must have retained Italian citizenship until the birth of their child. If they became a citizen of another country before their child was born.

If your ancestry passes through a woman who gave birth before January 1, 1948, additional restrictions may apply depending on when your application was started.

If your application was not filed or scheduled before March 27, 2025, you may no longer be able to apply through certain family lines (particularly those involving female ancestors who gave birth before 1948).

In some cases, you may also be eligible if you or your parent or grandparent was born in Italy and later lost Italian citizenship after moving abroad.

Paperwork Requirements

To apply for Italian citizenship, you must have the appropriate documents in order, and of which must be translated into Italian. You must be able to provide translated copies of:

Your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, divorce paperwork, and apostille

Your mother and/or father’s birth certificates (for the side who has the Italian lineage)

Your parents’ marriage certificate

Certificates of Naturalization for your ancestors who held Italian citizenship

Death certificates of your relevant Italian ancestors

Are you required to travel?

Some countries require you to travel in order to receive your citizenship once you have proven to be related to a citizen, however, this is often not required by the Italian government! You can receive your Italian citizenship without ever leaving your home country.

Find out if you are eligible to regain your family’s Italian citizenship.

Fill out our contact form to the best of your ability to speak with one of our experienced associates about how we can help to guide you through the citizenship process!