Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship

Eligibility for the Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship

Italian citizenship is currently governed by Law No. 74 of May 24, 2025, which amended Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992.

Under the current legislation, there are two primary procedures through which a former Italian citizen may reacquire Italian citizenship:

1. The applicant may formally declare in advance the intention to reacquire Italian citizenship and subsequently establish legal residence in Italy within one year from the date of such declaration.

2. Alternatively, the applicant may establish legal residence in Italy directly. After maintaining residence in the Italian territory for one continuous year, Italian citizenship is automatically reacquired unless the individual expressly renounces it.

   
   

In addition, Law No. 74/2025 introduced a special transitional provision for certain former Italian citizens. Individuals who were born in Italy or who previously resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years, and who lost Italian citizenship before August 16, 1992 pursuant to Articles 8 (paragraphs 1 and 2) and 12 of Law No. 555/1912, may reacquire Italian citizenship by submitting a declaration no later than December 31, 2027.

Additional Cases of Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship

Italian citizenship may also be reacquired under the following circumstances:

• When the applicant performs active military service for the Italian Republic and has previously declared the intention to reacquire Italian citizenship.

• When the applicant accepts public employment with the Italian State, including positions held abroad, provided that he or she has declared in advance the intention to reacquire Italian citizenship.

• When the applicant previously lost Italian citizenship due to the failure to renounce employment with a foreign State or international organization, despite being formally requested to do so, and subsequently:

  • declares the intention to reacquire Italian citizenship;

  • demonstrates uninterrupted residence in Italy for at least two years; and

  • proves the termination of the foreign public employment.

    
    

In the situations described above, the reacquisition of Italian citizenship may be denied by decree of the Italian Minister of the Interior for serious and substantiated reasons, subject to the opinion of the Council of State.

Cases in Which Reacquisition Is Not Permitted

The reacquisition of Italian citizenship is not permitted in the following circumstances:

• When citizenship was lost following the revocation of an adoption requested by the adopted person.

• When, during a state of war between Italy and a foreign country, the former Italian citizen voluntarily accepted — or failed to resign from — public office or military service with the foreign State without being legally obliged to do so, or voluntarily acquired the citizenship of that State.

Our Legal Assistance for the Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship

We provide legal advice and comprehensive assistance to individuals seeking to reacquire Italian citizenship.

Our services begin with a preliminary legal assessment aimed at verifying eligibility under the applicable Italian citizenship laws. Once eligibility is confirmed, we assist clients throughout every stage of the procedure, including the collection, translation, legalization, and preparation of all required documentation.

We also support clients with the drafting and submission of applications before the competent Italian authorities and municipalities in Italy.

Our Services Include

• Legal advice regarding Italian citizenship requirements and eligibility

• Evaluation and preparation of supporting documentation

• Drafting and submission of citizenship applications

• Assistance with applications before Italian municipalities

Additional Services

• Certified translations and document attestation

• Legalization and Apostille services