Becoming Italian citizens after getting married

Becoming Italian citizens after getting married is possible, however, this can only be done if one is to respect and follow the rules provided by the Act 91/1992. 

According to the act 91 of 1992, which is currently in function, Italian citizenship can be obtained through matrimony.

The request must be submitted to the Prefect of the territory where the residence of the applicant currently is. Meanwhile, if the foreigner consort is residing abroad, the submission must be presented to the consular office of the territory in question. In addition to that, the decree granting citizenship will be signed by the Head of Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration.

As stated by the act, precisely at the article 5: “ The consort, foreign or stateless, of an Italian citizen may acquire Italian citizenship after having been legally (for a period of two years) in the territory of the Republic following his marriage. Or, after three years from the date of the marriage if living abroad. If, during that period there was no dissolution, annulment or termination of the civil effects of marriage. Also, if there is clearly no legal separation of the consorts.”

On the other hand, there are different requirements that one must have in order to gain citizenship through marriage. First of all, the applicant must be married with an Italian citizen for at least two years and must have continuos legal residence ( i.e. the possession of a valid residency permit and birth registration) in an Italian municipality for a period of minimum two years from the date of marriage. 

Italian citizens

If one of the spouses has acquired Italian citizenship by naturalisation after their marriage, the calculation starts from the date of acquisition of Italian citizenship of the spouse, instead of the date of marriage.

However, if the consorts live abroad, the application for citizenship can be submitted after three years ( 18 months if there are children) from the wedding date to the competent diplomatic authority. 

If after three years spent living abroad from the date of the marriage, the spouses decide to transfer their residence in Italy without the foreign spouse having already applied for citizenship, this will be submitted to the competent Prefecture, when the applicant will comply with the rules of residency, and will be registered in the residency population data. 

Without the need of two years of legal residence in Italian territory.

The spouses will have to demonstrate that there has been no dissolution ( in consequence to the death of either or by divorce decree), the vice of revocation or legal separation sanctioned by a judge. 

Under any circumstance, it cannot be granted an Italian citizenship if the applicant has been convicted by final judgment for intentional crime with imprisonment of three years, political offences carrying a sentence of one year, or, offences against the personality of the State or any reasons related to state security.

The question of citizenship by marriage, as well as any other of its kind, provides for the payment of a contribution of 250 Euros, and must be submitted electronically, with all the useful information that can be found directly on the official website of the Ministry of Interior.

Cittadinanza italiana per matrimonio