Citizenship

I am a refugee, can I apply for Italian citizenship?

Yes, you can apply for citizenship based on residency (NATURALIZATION) if you have: 

  • Resided for at least 5 years on Italian territory; 
  • A valid residence permit issued due to your refugee status (or an expired residence permit accompanied by a renewal request;) 
  • A copy of the certificate attesting to your refugee status; 
  • A sworn affidavit with an authenticated signature without a stamp duty issued by a court or local municipality, as a substitute of the original birth and criminal record certificate from country of origin; 
  • Your last three income tax returns. 

If you need assistance in submitting or following up on your request, please contact our partner ARCI at the Helpline for refugees +39 800 905 570 or +39 3511376335 for Lycamobile users/Whatsapp, e-mail [email protected]. 

I am a beneficiary of subsidiary protection, can I apply for citizenship?

Yes, you can apply for citizenship based on residency (NATURALIZATION) if you have: 

  • Resided in Italy for at least 10 years; 
  • A valid residence permit attesting to your status as a beneficiary of subsidiary protection) or an expired residence permit accompanied by renewal request); 
  • A sworn affidavit with an authenticated signature without stamp duty, issued by a court or local municipality, as a substitute for the original birth and criminal record certificate from the country of origin; 
  • The last three income tax returns. 

What do I have to do to apply for citizenship?

To file a citizenship application you must: 

  • Get a SPID identity (Public System Digital Identity.) The activation is free, and it can be done by an authorized provider listed on the website of the Agenzia per Italia Digitale. To register you need: an e-mail address: a mobile telephone number; a valid ID and a health insurance card with your fiscal code. 

You can enter the platform by clicking on ‘Enter with Spid’ (Accedi con Spid)
Complete the digital request, attaching in the proper computer fields the following: 

  • Personal ID; 
  • Birth and criminal record certificate from country of origin; 
  • Certificate of Italian language proficiency not inferior of CEFR B1 Level; 
  • Receipt of payment of the mandatory €250 fee; 
  • Proof of payment of €16 revenue stamp. 

When the application is completed, it will be forwarded to the Prefecture that is responsible for summoning you. 

Who can help you in the citizenship process?

If you need assistance in submitting or following up on your request, please contact our partner ARCI at the Helpline for refugees +39 800 905 570 or +39 3511376335 for Lycamobile users/Whatsapp, e-mail [email protected]. 

I am married to an Italian citizen, can I apply for citizenship?

Yes, you can obtain Italian citizenship based on marriage no matter what type of residence permit you have (even if you are a refugee or the beneficiary of international protection)
You must: 

  • Have resided in Italy for a minimum of two years or, if you reside outside the country, after three years of marriage;
    NB: the terms are reduced by half in the presence of natural or adopted children. 
  • Proficiency in Italian (not inferior to Level B1). 

If you need assistance in submitting or following up on your request, please contact our partner ARCI at the Helpline for refugees +39 800 905 570 or +39 3511376335 for Lycamobile users/Whatsapp, e-mail [email protected]. 


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