Italian citizenship
How to apply for Italian citizenship by residence or marriage
On testb1cittadinanza.com we summarise, from the Italian Ministry of the Interior's pages, how to apply for Italian citizenship. By residence you usually need 10 years of legal residence; by marriage, 2 years after the wedding if you live in Italy. Either way you need a B1 Italian certificate, you apply online with SPID or CIE, and the fee is 250 euros.
Who can apply
| Situation | Requirement (legal residence or length of marriage) |
|---|---|
| Non-EU citizen | at least 10 years |
| Citizen of an EU country | at least 4 years |
| Stateless person | at least 5 years |
| Born in Italy | at least 3 years |
| Child or grandchild of Italian citizens by birth | at least 2 years |
| Spouse of an Italian citizen, living in Italy | 2 years after the wedding (1 year with children) |
| Spouse of an Italian citizen, living abroad | 3 years from the wedding (18 months with children) |
By marriage, when the decree is issued the marriage must not be dissolved or annulled, and the spouses must not be legally separated.
Other requirements (by residence)
- Enough income to support yourself.
- No criminal record.
- No reasons relating to the security of the Republic.
Knowledge of Italian
Since 2018 (Law 132/2018) you need an Italian certificate at CEFR level B1 or higher, for residence and for marriage. Only people who signed the integration agreement and holders of the EU long-term residence permit are exempt from this requirement. Check whether you need the B1 test.
How to apply
- Get your documents ready (see below) and your B1 certificate.
- Pay the 250 euro fee and buy the online revenue stamp (marca da bollo telematica).
- Log in to the Ministry of the Interior portal with SPID or CIE and fill in the online application, attaching the documents.
- Give a PEC (certified email) address: the Ministry says it makes communication faster. After submission, additional documents and messages go only by PEC, one application per message, with the application number in the subject.
Documents to attach
- Identity document.
- Birth certificate and criminal record certificate from your country of origin.
- Italian certificate at B1 level or higher (unless exempt).
- Receipt for the 250 euro fee.
- Details of the online revenue stamp.
How long it takes
- Applications from 20 December 2020: at most 24 months, extendable to 36 months.
- Earlier applications: 48 months.
- By marriage, if you live in Italy, the prefect of your province decides; by residence citizenship is granted by decree of the President of the Republic.
After the decree: the oath
Law 91/1992 (art. 10) says the decree has no effect if you do not take the oath within six months of being notified. You take the oath before the registrar of your Comune.
FAQ
How much does the citizenship application cost?
The fee is 250 euros plus the online revenue stamp. The B1 Italian exam costs extra, for example 100 euros for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza.
Do I need B1 for citizenship by marriage?
Yes. Since 2018 the language requirement applies to both residence and marriage. Only people who signed the integration agreement and holders of the EU long-term residence permit are exempt.
How long does it take?
For applications from 20 December 2020, at most 24 months, extendable to 36.
How do I track my application?
On the Ministry of the Interior portal, in the section "Cittadinanza: consulta la pratica".
This page summarises the official pages and is not legal advice. For your own case ask the Prefecture.
Sources (Ministry of the Interior, read 13 November 2026): Cittadinanza, art. 9, art. 5, invia la tua domanda.
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