Reacquisition of Italian Citizenship
Former Italian citizens who lost citizenship by naturalizing abroad before August 16, 1992 can reacquire it through a simplified process by declaration open from July 2025 to December 2027.
Overview
Under Italian law, citizens who naturalized in a foreign country before August 16, 1992 automatically lost their Italian citizenship. Many were unaware this had occurred. The reacquisition process allows these former citizens to reclaim their Italian nationality.
Important: Conversion Law No. 74/2025 (of Decree-Law No. 36/2025) amended Article 17 of Law No. 91/1992, opening a limited window from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027 during which eligible former citizens residing abroad can reacquire Italian citizenship by personally signing a declaration before the competent consular officials.
Eligibility
To be eligible for reacquisition, you must meet both of the following requirements:
- You were born in Italy, or if born abroad, you resided in Italy for at least two continuous years
- You lost your Italian citizenship before August 16, 1992 by naturalizing as a citizen of another country
Key Details
- Limited window: The declaration must be submitted between July 1, 2025 and December 31, 2027
- No retroactive effect: Citizenship is reacquired from the day after signing the declaration, not from a prior date
- No automatic transmission to children: Reacquisition does not allow automatic acquisition of citizenship by your children, even if they are minors living with you, if they reside abroad
Application Pathways
There are two main routes to reacquiring Italian citizenship:
- Consular Declaration (abroad): Under the new law, eligible former citizens living abroad can sign a declaration of reacquisition before the competent consular officials in their country of residence. This is available only during the July 2025 – December 2027 window.
- Residency in Italy: Under Article 13 of Law 91/1992, former citizens can also reacquire citizenship by establishing legal residency in Italy. This typically requires residing in Italy for a period of time (minimum 90 days) and submitting an application at the local Comune.
Typical Documentation
The following documents are typically required for reacquisition via consular declaration. All foreign-issued documents must be apostilled and translated into Italian by a certified translator unless otherwise noted.
- Application form for reacquisition (provided by the consulate)
- If born in Italy: Extract of birth certificate with marginal notes issued by your Italian municipality of birth (not a simple birth certificate)
- If born abroad: Extract of foreign birth certificate in long form (apostilled, translated) and historical certificate of residence issued by your last Italian municipality of residence
- Historical certificate of citizenship issued by your Italian municipality of birth or last residence, or, in some cases, an affidavit stating your citizenship history
- Foreign naturalization certificate showing your name, surname, date of birth, and exact date of foreign citizenship grant
- Copy of your current passport and proof of address (e.g. driver's license or utility bill)
- If naturalized as a minor: Naturalization certificates of your Italian-born parents (note: legal age in Italy was 21 until March 9, 1975)
- For women: If your naturalization certificate shows a married name instead of your maiden name, a marriage certificate in long form (apostilled, translated) is also required
Special Cases
Women Who Lost Citizenship by Marriage
Women who lost their Italian citizenship by marrying a foreign citizen before January 1, 1948 can reacquire it through judicial application.
Need Help with Reacquisition?
The reacquisition process involves gathering documents from Italian municipalities and navigating a limited application window. Contact us for guidance on your specific situation.
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