Blog Italian Citizenship By Marriage

Get Italian Citizenship Through Marriage: We Help You Apply

Obtaining Italian citizenship through marriage is an exciting opportunity for foreign spouses of Italian citizens. It opens the door to living, working, and traveling freely across the European Union, while also connecting you more deeply to Italy’s culture and heritage.

However, the process can be complex, time-consuming, and highly technical. Most importantly, it is recommended to start the process as soon as possible, as a proposed law may remove the possibility for people living abroad to apply for citizenship through marriage. In the future, this option could be limited only to those who live in Italy.

In this article, we walk you through the key requirements, the application process, and how professional assistance can make the journey smoother and faster.

Eligibility Criteria

Foreign spouses of Italian citizens may apply for citizenship provided certain legal conditions are met.

Length of Marriage: If you live outside Italy, you can apply for Italian citizenship after 1.5 years of marriage if you have children, or after 3 years if you do not. If you live in Italy, the required period is reduced to 1 year of marriage if you have children, or 2 years if you do not.
Valid Marriage: Your marriage must legally valid under Italian law (no separation or divorce) throughout the entire application process. The death of a spouse or civil partner after submitting an application for citizenship does not result in the loss of that right.
Cohabitation Requirement: You and your Italian spouse must share the same legal residence.
Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must not have serious criminal convictions. Authorities will review criminal records from all countries where you have lived. If the applicant has been convicted of serious criminal offenses, they may apply for citizenship only if they have been rehabilitated by a court of law.
Italian Language Requirement (B1 Level): Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the Italian language at B1 level or higher. This requirement must be proven through an officially recognized certification.

The Application Process

Document Collection: To apply for citizenship by marriage, applicants must provide a set of official documents to demonstrate eligibility, including personal records, proof of marriage, and proof of Italian language proficiency.
Online Application: Applications are submitted through the official portal of the Italian Ministry of the Interior. This stage requires careful preparation, as errors or missing documents can significantly delay the process.
Decree and Oath: Once your application is approved, you will receive the decree granting Italian citizenship from the Ministry of the Interior, and within six months, you will be summoned to take the oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic.

Your Italian citizenship will take effect on the day following the oath.

How AcrossBoundaries Can Support You

Applying for Italian citizenship through marriage is not just about submitting documents—it’s about managing a legal process with strict requirements and tight timelines. This is where AcrossBoundaries comes in. We are a team of attorneys specializing in dual citizenship who assist individuals in obtain Italian citizenship.

Our services include:

Personalized Service: We tailor our services to your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and effortless process.
Seamless Online Process: Benefit from our fully digital services, ensuring all documentation is managed online for a streamlined and hassle-free experience.
Efficient Scheduling: We optimize your application timeline to ensure a smooth and timely process.
Full Ownership of Your Application Process: We provide comprehensive support, handling every aspect of your application from start to finish.
Collaboration with the Italian Offices: If needed, we involve the Italian Offices at no additional cost to ensure the successful acquisition of Italian citizenship.
Meticulous Documentation: We prepare and submit all required documents, ensuring they meet the strict requirements.

Conclusions

If your spouse has obtained Italian citizenship by birth (jure sanguinis) or by naturalization, you can begin the process to obtain Italian citizenship by marriage.

We recommend starting preparation as early as possible, since a draft law may eliminate the possibility for individuals residing abroad to apply for citizenship through marriage.

Contact Us

Italian citizenship through marriage is a valuable opportunity, but navigating the process alone can be overwhelming.

With the right guidance, you can avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence.

If you have any doubts or questions about the Italian citizenship by marriage application, BOOK A 100% FREE CONSULTATION CALL TODAY

We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Article written on April 14th 2026