- How to obtain Italian citizenship - basic conditions
- Naturalization is an important and responsible process
- Fees and deadlines for passing documents
In the list of countries popular with illegal immigrants from the African continent, the Italian Republic is currently ranked first in Europe. At the same time, many foreigners arrived in this country by legal means, were given the opportunity to live and work. Many residents of the country, who have lived in its territory for a long time, decide to become full members of Italian society. Therefore, a little below we will talk about how to obtain Italian citizenship, what conditions must be met and what documents are required to go through this important legal procedure.
How to obtain Italian citizenship - basic conditions
At the moment, the Italian authorities are ready to offer potential recipients of citizenship in several ways, more or less convenient. The most common on the territory of this European state are the following: automatic; by naturalization; service activities related to work in government bodies; through entering into a legal marriage relationship.
There are other options for acquiring citizenship, they are much less common in practice. Automatic receipt is based on two important principles that are typical for other European states, referred to as "blood right" and "birth right". A child born in a marriage of Italian citizens automatically becomes a citizen of the Republic of Italy.
It is possible for a child to acquire citizenship of this country, even if the parents are not citizens. To do this, you need to be born in Italian territory and have lived (continuously) for at least three years. After that, parents can submit documents for acquiring citizenship, a positive decision or refusal is prepared by a special commission. The child himself will be able to submit documents only after reaching the age of 18, and for filing under a simplified scheme, he will have only a year (up to 19 years of age).
Naturalization is an important and responsible process
For most immigrants in Italy, naturalization is the best way to obtain citizenship. Of course, you will have to comply with all the conditions and requirements, but the result (all the rights of an Italian citizen) is worth it. The list of requirements for a potential recipient is quite solid, but a purposeful person who decides to take such an important step is quite within the power of a purposeful person. The right to acquire Italian citizenship is held by foreigners who:
- have been legally residing in the country for ten years or more;
- during this period, they showed themselves as law-abiding citizens, that is, they did not have court cases, they behaved decently;
- did not participate in crime at home;
- have a permanent job with stable pay;
- agreed to continue living in Italy.
It is clear that a 10-year period is long enough, so many are trying to find out if there are conditions for its reduction. According to Italian regulations, the term can be reduced for certain categories, including refugees, citizens of the European Union, stateless persons.
Reliefs can be applied in case of filing a petition by former Italian citizens, their direct descendants. Another category of “beneficiaries” who can use the right to shorten the term are foreigners born on the territory of the republic. Legal marriage also helps to reduce the waiting time for citizenship, it will take only two years if the spouses permanently reside in Italy, three years if they spend part of the time outside the country.
Compliance with the law is confirmed by the submission of relevant certificates, one of them must be from the country of previous residence (translated into Italian and certified with the stamp "Apostille"), another document confirming the absence of a criminal record is issued by the Italian tribunal, and a certificate is also presented showing the absence of criminal prosecution and a criminal record … Income and employment certificates will confirm that a person applying for citizenship is able to provide for himself and his family.
Fees and deadlines for passing documents
The last stage is the payment of a fee for the application for citizenship, which currently amounts to 200 euros. After that, all that remains is to await a decision.
The Italian authorities are clearly in no hurry in this matter, according to the law, documents are checked within two years, then, if the issue is positively resolved within six months, the foreigner must take an oath. This solemn event takes place in the Municipality of the locality where the new Italian citizen lives.
An important nuance - dual citizenship is allowed in the republic, so a person is free to choose whether to give up his existing citizenship in favor of Italian, or have a double one.
