FAQs for Italian citizenship by Marriage
Italian Citizenship by Marriage: 8 Crucial Facts for a Smooth Application
Updated: September 2026
Expats in Italy
Obtaining Italian citizenship by marriage (governed by Article 5 of Italian Law 91/1992) is one of the most direct paths to an EU passport for spouses of Italian nationals. However, navigating the administrative requirements can be confusing—especially when online forums mix up marriage applications with citizenship by descent.
With recent legal updates, shifting digital portals, and strict language requirements, knowing the exact rules before submitting your file saves years of administrative delays. Here are the 8 essential facts every couple needs to know before starting the Italian citizenship by marriage application process.
📋 Guide Navigation
- 1. Timeline: 3 Years Abroad vs. 2 Years in Italy
- 2. The B1 Language Requirement & Exemptions
- 3. Applying in Italy: Handled by the Prefettura
- 4. Applying Abroad: Consular Portals
- 5. Law 74/2025: Does It Impact Marriage Applications?
- 6. Application Fees and Legal Timeframes
- 7. What Happens in Case of Separation or Death?
- 8. The Pre-1983 Automatic Citizenship Rule
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Timeline: 3 Years Abroad vs. 2 Years in Italy
To qualify for Italian citizenship by marriage, you must meet minimum marital duration thresholds based on where you legally reside:
- Living Outside Italy: You can apply after 3 years of marriage.
- Living in Italy: You can apply after 2 years of legal residency (registered at the local Anagrafe).
👶 The Children Accelerator
These waiting periods are halved if the couple has biological or adopted children together (reducing the requirement to 18 months abroad or 1 year in Italy). Note: If your Italian spouse naturalized after your marriage, the clock starts from the date they officially became an Italian citizen, not your wedding date.
2. The B1 Language Requirement & Exemptions
All applicants for Italian citizenship by marriage must prove intermediate knowledge of the Italian language at the B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Your language qualification must come from an officially accredited educational institution or one of the four certified exam providers: CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or CERT.IT. If you need assistance preparing for your language exam, explore our dedicated CILS B1 prep services and language resources.
Who is exempt from the B1 exam?
- Holders of an EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno UE per Soggiornanti di Lungo Periodo).
- Graduates holding a diploma or degree issued by an accredited Italian public or state-recognized private educational institution.
- Applicants with verified severe learning disabilities or age-related cognitive conditions, as supported by official medical certifications under Constitutional Court Ruling 25/2025.
3. Applying in Italy: Handled by the Prefettura
A common point of confusion is mistaking citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) with marriage citizenship. When applying for Italian citizenship by marriage while living legally in Italy, your application is NOT handled by your local municipality’s town hall (Comune).
Instead, applications in Italy are submitted digitally through the official Italian Ministry of Interior portal and adjudicated directly by the local provincial government office, known as the Prefettura. The Prefect issues the final decree once all background checks and foreign document verifications are complete.
4. Applying Abroad: Consular Portals
If you reside outside of Italy, processing your Italian citizenship by marriage application takes place through the Italian consulate holding territorial jurisdiction over your legal residence. The process is initiated via the Ministry portal, followed by an in-person appointment for document verification.
All civil status documents issued outside of Italy (such as foreign birth certificates and criminal background checks) must be fully legalized with an Apostille (or consular authentication) and accompanied by certified translations into Italian.
5. Law 74/2025: Does It Impact Marriage Applications?
In 2025, Italy introduced Law 74/2025, which enacted significant reforms to Italian citizenship laws. There has been widespread confusion among expat communities regarding whether these new rules impact your Italian citizenship by marriage eligibility.
Important Clarification:
Law 74/2025 reformed citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) only. It did not alter the rules, timelines, or requirements for marriage citizenship (jure matrimonii). To learn more about how ancestry claims were modified, read our breakdown on Italian citizenship law updates and ancestry rules.
6. Application Fees and Legal Timeframes
When submitting your formal application for Italian citizenship by marriage, you must pay a mandatory state contribution fee of €250 to the Ministry of Interior.
By law, the maximum statutory deadline for the Ministry of Interior or Prefettura to process marriage citizenship applications is 24 to 36 months from the date of official submission. Once approved, you have 6 months to take the oath of allegiance (giuramento) at your local Prefettura or Consulate.
7. What Happens in Case of Separation or Death?
To successfully obtain Italian citizenship by marriage, the marital bond must remain fully intact from the day you submit your application until the final moment you take your oath of allegiance.
If a legal separation, divorce, annulment, or the death of the Italian spouse occurs prior to swearing the oath, the application is automatically rendered void under Italian law.
8. The Pre-1983 Automatic Citizenship Rule
There is a historic exception for foreign women seeking Italian citizenship by marriage who married Italian men prior to January 27, 1983. Under old Italian civil law, foreign women automatically acquired Italian citizenship on the date of their marriage without needing to pass language tests or file long Ministry applications.
If this applies to you, you do not need to follow the standard 24–36 month application path. You simply apply directly for formal recognition of your pre-existing citizenship at your consulate or local municipality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I submit my application if I live in Rome?
If you are legally registered in Rome, you submit your application online through the Ministry portal. The file is reviewed and processed by the Prefettura di Roma (not the municipal office on Via Petroselli).
Do background check certificates expire?
Yes. Foreign criminal background records (such as FBI identity history checks or national police certificates) generally expire within 6 months of issuance under Italian administrative rules and must be valid upon portal submission.
Can I keep my original citizenship when acquiring Italian citizenship?
Italy allows dual citizenship. However, you should confirm whether your country of origin permits dual nationality or requires you to renounce your original passport upon naturalizing abroad.
What level of Italian language proficiency is required?
An official B1 intermediate language certificate issued by an approved provider (CILS, CELI, PLIDA, or CERT.IT) is required unless you hold a qualifying exemption like an EU long-term permit or Italian diploma.
Does Law 74/2025 restrict marriage citizenship claims?
No. Law 74/2025 strictly modified rules for citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). Marriage citizenship rules remain governed under Article 5 of Law 91/1992.
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