The topic of citizenship for Ukrainians is more relevant than ever, as the war continues and more Ukrainian citizens are trying to find shelter, especially in Europe. Among the favorite countries, Italy stands out.
When considering Italian citizenship, it is important to take into account the large number of visas and other documents that foreigners can obtain. Each type of status requires its own documents and has its own conditions. Thus, Italian citizenship for Ukrainians is an interesting and quite extensive topic.
What is Italian Citizenship and What Rights Does It Provide?
As of 2026, there are several legal pathways to acquire citizenship in Italy, which differ significantly in complexity and duration. The main methods include obtaining citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), through naturalization, through marriage to an Italian citizen, or by residing in the country.
Italian citizenship is a stable legal bond between a person and the state, granting full rights and obligations. Unlike a residence permit, which requires regular renewal, Italian citizenship is lifelong. Holding an Italian citizen passport automatically makes a person a citizen of the European Union. This opens up the possibility of freely living, working, and studying in any of the 27 EU countries. An Italian passport also provides visa-free access to over 180 countries worldwide. Additionally, Italian citizens have the right to vote in elections, hold public office, receive social guarantees, and enjoy diplomatic protection abroad.
Main Methods of Obtaining Italian Citizenship
Italian legislation provides several ways to acquire citizenship:
- By descent (jure sanguinis) - for descendants of Italian emigrants.
- Through naturalization - for foreigners living in Italy for a long time.
- Through marriage to an Italian citizen.
- By birth in Italy (under certain conditions).
- For special merits to the state.
Each of these pathways has its own requirements, timelines, and list of necessary documents.
Italian Citizenship for Ukrainians: General Grounds
For Ukrainian citizens, the most common ways to obtain Italian citizenship are naturalization after prolonged residence and restoring citizenship by descent. Many Ukrainians have Italian roots, as a significant number of Italians emigrated to what is now Ukraine in the last century, particularly to Crimea, Odessa, and the Donbas. Descendants of these emigrants may claim citizenship by descent. Likewise, Ukrainians who legally reside in Italy on work or family visas can apply for naturalization after a certain period.
Acquiring Italian Citizenship by Descent (jure sanguinis)
The jure sanguinis principle means that citizenship is passed from parents to children regardless of the place of birth. If among a person's ancestors there is an Italian citizen who has not renounced their citizenship, the person may claim recognition of Italian citizenship by descent. The main condition is that the Italian ancestor was born in Italy and had Italian citizenship at the time of the birth of the next generation. Furthermore, the ancestor must not have voluntarily acquired another citizenship before the birth of the child. The process involves gathering birth, marriage, and death certificates for each generation, legalizing documents, translating them into Italian, and submitting an application to the Italian consulate or directly to the municipality in Italy. This route does not require residence in Italy or knowledge of the language.
Naturalization as a Means of Obtaining Italian Citizenship
Naturalization is a procedure for a foreigner to acquire citizenship based on prolonged residency in the country. For citizens of non-EU countries, including Ukraine, the standard residency period for applying for naturalization is ten years. During this time, a person must have legal residence in Italy, possess a residence permit, pay taxes, and not have legal issues. For certain categories, the period is shortened. EU citizens can apply after four years. Stateless persons and refugees can apply after five years. Foreigners born in Italy who reside there permanently can apply once they reach adulthood.
Residency Requirements and Timelines for Acquiring Citizenship
For successful naturalization, compliance with continuous residency conditions is required. Staying outside of Italy should not exceed a certain period. Knowledge of the Italian language at least at B1 level is also important. The applicant must confirm the availability of adequate annual income. The review of the naturalization application can take from two to four years.
How to Obtain Italian Citizenship: Application Process
The procedure for submitting documents for obtaining Italian citizenship depends on the chosen method. The most complicated and bureaucratic procedure is recognizing citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). It requires the collection of a large package of documents, which confirm the lineage. The applicant needs to obtain birth, marriage, and death certificates for each generation of ancestors. All these documents must be legalized or apostilled and translated into Italian by a certified translator. After this, the package of documents is submitted to the Italian consulate in the applicant's country of residence. The consulate then sets a date for an interview during which the documents are checked and circumstances are clarified. An alternative option is to submit documents directly to the municipality in Italy, which is often faster but requires being in the country.
For naturalization, the process is different. The applicant submits an application to the prefecture in Italy. The application is accompanied by a copy of the residence permit, proof of income, a certificate of knowledge of the Italian language at B1 level, and a clearance of criminal record. After verifying the documents, the prefecture forwards the case to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Italy. A decision is made by a special commission. In the case of a positive decision, the applicant takes an oath of allegiance to the Italian Republic. Upon taking the oath, a certificate of citizenship is issued, on the basis of which an Italian passport can be obtained. The entire process of naturalization from submission of the application to receipt of the passport can take from two to five years.
For obtaining citizenship through marriage, the procedure is somewhat simplified. The application is submitted to the prefecture or consulate. Registration of the marriage with Italian authorities is mandatory. After submission of the application, an authenticity check of the marriage and absence of fictitiousness is conducted. The interview with the prefecture staff may be conducted either separately with each spouse or together. The review of the application lasts on average two to three years. In all cases, it is recommended to use the services of an experienced immigration lawyer, as Italian bureaucracy can be complex, and mistakes in the documents can lead to a refusal. A lawyer will help properly gather the documents, translate them, and submit them to the appropriate authority. The cost of lawyers' services ranges from a few hundred to several thousand euros depending on the complexity of the case. Saving on legal support can lead to significantly greater losses of time and money in case of refusal. It is also important to note that all original documents must be submitted in person, and copies must be notarized.
Typical Reasons for Refusal of Italian Citizenship
Refusal to grant Italian citizenship is quite a common occurrence, especially due to mistakes in document preparation. The most common reason for refusal when obtaining citizenship by descent is a break in the lineage. Italian legislation requires that the ancestor transferring citizenship must not have naturalized in another country before the birth of the next generation. If the Italian citizen accepted another citizenship before the child's birth, the right to transfer citizenship is lost. The second common reason is errors in the documents, especially in the spelling of names and surnames, as well as birth dates. Italian bureaucrats are extremely attentive to details, and even a minor discrepancy can lead to a refusal.
In the case of naturalization, the most common reason for refusal is insufficient proficiency in the Italian language. A B1 certificate is mandatory, but the real level may be checked during the interview. The second reason is the presence of a criminal record or administrative offenses. Any legal issues in Italy or the country of origin may pose an obstacle. The third reason is insufficient or irregular income. The applicant must prove that they will not be a burden on the Italian social welfare system. The fourth reason is interruptions in residency. If the applicant has spent a lot of time outside Italy, continuous residency will be considered violated.
When obtaining citizenship through marriage, additional reasons for refusal include suspicion of a fictitious marriage. Prefecture staff closely check whether the spouses actually live together and maintain a joint household. Refusal may also occur if the marriage was concluded less than two years before submitting the application. It is important to remember that a refusal decision can be appealed administratively or judicially. For this, an appeal must be submitted within 60 days from the moment of receiving the refusal notice. A lawyer can help assess the chances of success and prepare the necessary documents. In some cases, it is possible to reapply after addressing the reasons for the refusal. However, this lengthens the process by several years. Thus, it is better to prepare thoroughly for the initial application rather than fix mistakes later.
Overall, the process of obtaining citizenship in Italy is quite clear, although in its own way, it is complex. Sometimes, to navigate through many nuances, one needs to seek special assistance. The documentation process can take time and require significant resources. It is also important to avoid common mistakes when handling the paperwork independently: these tips are relevant for all foreigners, not just Ukrainians.