Citizenship by residence (naturalization)

Cittadinanza per residenza

Become Italian after 10 years of legal residence.

Who it's for: Non-EU nationals who have lived legally in Italy for 10 years (4 years for EU citizens).

Requirements

10 years of continuous legal residence (registered with the anagrafe)
Sufficient income for the last 3 years
B1 Italian certificate
Clean criminal record

Timeline: Processing can take 2–3 years after applying
Approximate cost: €600 fee plus documents
Can you work?: Yes
Path to permanent: Citizenship

Pros

Full EU citizenship for anyone who builds a life in Italy

Cons

Long timeline; a 2025 referendum to cut it to 5 years did not pass

Official source: portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it

General information as of autumn 2026, not legal advice. Requirements vary by consulate. Confirm with yours or with a licensed Italian immigration lawyer.