Marrying an Italian citizen opens the door to obtaining Italian citizenship through marriage. This path to citizenship has specific requirements and deadlines that you need to understand before starting the process.

Recent changes to Italian citizenship laws make timing crucial. The Italian government announced legislative reforms in March 2025 that will affect future applications for Italian citizenship by descent. These changes, however, do not explicitly affect — for the moment — the rules on marriage to an Italian citizen, that is governed by Law no. 91 of February 5, 1992.

For this reason, it is important to act now, if all the requirements are met, so that new restrictions do not come into place.Italian citizenship by marriage.

Who can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage

Basic eligibility criteria

You can apply for Italian citizenship if you’re married to an Italian citizen. The marriage or civil union must be legally recognized by Italian authorities. This means your marriage certificate needs official recognition from Italian civil registry offices. After marrying, the marriage must be registered with the Italian Municipality (Comune) where your Italian spouse’s vital records are kept.

Same-sex civil unions count as marriage for citizenship purposes. Italy passed civil union legislation in 2016 that grants the same citizenship rights to same-sex couples. Both opposite-sex and same-sex couples have identical opportunities to apply for citizenship through marriage.

The Italian spouse must hold current Italian citizenship at the time of marriage. If your spouse acquired Italian citizenship after your marriage, different rules may apply. Your spouse cannot lose their Italian citizenship during your application process, or your application becomes invalid.

Spouse registration requirements

Your spouse must be registered with AIRE if living outside Italy. AIRE stands for Anagrafe degli Italian citizens residing abroad, which translates to Registry of Italians Residing Abroad. This registration with the local Italian consulate is mandatory and must be current throughout your application process.

You cannot apply if your marriage ends in divorce or annulment before citizenship approval. The marriage must remain valid throughout the entire process. Legal separation also disqualifies you from continuing with your citizenship application. The marriage must remain valid until the citizenship oath is taken. In cases where the Italian spouse dies during the application process, special provisions may apply under certain circumstances.

Unlike automatic Italian citizenship cases through descent, citizenship by marriage requires meeting specific residency and language requirements. A foreign woman or man married to an Italian citizen must demonstrate genuine integration into Italian society.

Residency requirements you must meet

Waiting period rules

The residency waiting period depends entirely on where you live after marriage. If you reside in Italy, you must wait exactly two years from your marriage date before submitting your application. If you live anywhere outside Italy, the waiting period extends to three full years. A foreign national married to an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship three years after marriage if residing outside Italy. Alternatively, Italian citizenship by residence can be applied for after 10 years of legal residence in Italy.

These timeframes cannot be shortened under any circumstances. Having children with your Italian spouse reduces the waiting period by half. This means one year if living in Italy, or eighteen months if living abroad. Couples with children under 18 can apply for citizenship after two years of marriage if residing in Italy.

The residency requirement means continuous legal residence, not just occasional visits. You must maintain your primary residence in the specified location throughout the entire waiting period. Moving between Italy and abroad resets your waiting period clock.

Documentation of residence

You need documented proof of your residence throughout the waiting period. Utility bills, rental agreements, tax returns, and employment records serve as acceptable proof. Bank statements and medical records can also demonstrate continuous residence in your chosen location.

Temporary absences for work, family emergencies, or vacations don’t disrupt your residency requirement. However, extended absences of several months might require explanation and documentation. The Italian authorities evaluate each case individually for residence continuity.

Your legal status in your country of residence must remain valid throughout the process. Expired visas, illegal residence status, or deportation orders will disqualify your application. You must maintain proper legal documentation for your entire residency period.

 

Marriage documentation requirements

Marriage certificate transcription

Your marriage certificate must come from the Italian civil registry where your spouse is registered. This is different from the certificate you received in your country of marriage. Italian authorities require their own official record of your marriage through a marriage certificate transcript.

If you married outside Italy, your foreign marriage record needs transcription into Italian civil records first. This process involves submitting your original marriage certificate to the Italian consulate in your marriage country. The consulate then forwards the documentation to the appropriate Italian municipality for transcription.

The transcription process can take six months to two years depending on the consulate and municipality involved. Some consulates process transcriptions faster than others. Large cities like Rome and Milan typically have longer processing times than smaller municipalities.

Document authentication and translation

Your foreign marriage certificate needs apostille certification before transcription. Countries that signed the Hague Convention use apostille certification. Countries outside the Hague Convention require legalization through their Italian embassy or consulate.

All marriage documents must include certified Italian translations. Only court-appointed translators can provide these certified translations. The translator’s certification must be current and valid in Italy.

If either foreign spouse was previously married, you need proof that all previous marriages ended legally. Divorce decrees, death certificates, or annulment papers require the same apostille and translation treatment as marriage certificates. These documents, including your birth certificate, must be submitted with your citizenship application.

Language and cultural requirements explained

Italian language proficiency standards

Italian law requires B1-level Italian language proficiency for citizenship by marriage according to the Common European Framework. B1 level means intermediate conversational ability with basic grammar understanding. You must demonstrate this proficiency through an official test administered by Italian authorities.

The language test covers speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Speaking tests involve conversational exchanges with examiners about daily topics. Listening tests use audio recordings of conversations or announcements that you must comprehend and answer questions about.

Several organizations offer recognized Italian language quality certification. The University for Foreigners of Siena provides CILS certification. The University for Foreigners of Perugia offers CELI certification. The Dante Alighieri Society administers PLIDA exams.

You can also satisfy the language requirement through Italian educational credentials. Completing middle school or high school in Italy automatically meets the language requirement. University degrees from Italian institutions also satisfy this requirement without additional testing.

Cultural knowledge expectations

The cultural knowledge requirement involves understanding Italian history, geography, and civic institutions. Consular interviews include questions about Italian regions, major historical events, and government structure. You should know about Italian holidays, traditions, and social customs.

Recent applicants report questions about Italian presidents, major cities and their regions, and important historical periods. Questions about the Italian constitution, voting procedures, and local government structures are common. Knowledge of Italian art, literature, and cuisine may also be tested.

Study materials for cultural knowledge include Italian civics textbooks and online resources from Italian consulates. Many consulates provide recommended reading lists for citizenship applicants. Local Italian cultural centers often offer citizenship preparation courses.

Complete application process breakdown

Online application submission

The application process begins with creating an account on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’s citizenship website. This online portal called “Cittadinanza” handles all marriage-based citizenship applications. You must register with your personal information and create secure login credentials.

After creating your account, you complete the online application form with detailed personal information. The form requires information about your spouse, marriage details, residence history, and family members. You must answer questions about criminal history, military service, and previous citizenship applications.

Document upload comes next in the online process. You must scan and upload all required documents in PDF format. File size limits apply, so high-resolution scans may need compression. Each document type has specific upload requirements and naming conventions.

The online system generates a payment notice for application fees once you complete the form and upload documents. Payment must be made through the specified Italian banking system. International bank transfers or credit card payments may not be accepted for fee payment. The application fee for citizenship by marriage is €250.

Consular interview process

After online submission and payment, you schedule an appointment at your local Italian consulate. Appointment availability varies significantly between consulates. Major cities like New York, London, or Sydney may have waiting times of several months for appointments.

The consular appointment involves document verification and an interview. You must bring original copies of all uploaded documents for verification. The consular officer compares your originals against the uploaded versions to confirm authenticity. Criminal background checks from all jurisdictions of residence since age 14 are required for the application.

During the interview, consular officers ask about your application, marriage, and life in Italy or abroad. They test your Italian language skills through conversation. Cultural knowledge questions about Italy may be included in the interview process.

After the consular interview, your application goes to the Italian Ministry of Interior for final review.The processing time for applications for citizenship by marriage can take up to 24 months, extendable to 48 months.

Legal support for Italian Citizenship through marriage

At Aprigliano International Law Firm, we specialize in guiding clients through the complex process of obtaining Italian citizenship by marriage, understanding that marrying an Italian citizen is just the first step in a detailed legal journey. We assist couples with marriage certificate transcription, document authentication and translation, residency requirement compliance, and preparation for language and cultural proficiency requirements. Our experienced team ensures all documentation meets Italian legal standards and helps clients navigate the online application system, consular interviews, and Ministry of Interior review process efficiently. Italian citizenship grants full rights and privileges, including the right to vote, live, and work in any EU country.

We recognize that timing is critical, especially with recent legislative changes affecting future applications, which is why we provide comprehensive support from initial eligibility assessment through final citizenship approval. Contact us today for professional legal guidance on your Italian citizenship by marriage application and let our experienced team help you navigate this complex process successfully.