NOTICE: Following the publication in the Official Gazette on 29/03/2025 of Decree-Law No. 36 of 28 March 2025, please note that only applications submitted by appointment for the recognition of citizenship by descent (“jus sanguinis”) that comply with the provisions introduced by the aforementioned decree will be accepted.
No changes currently apply to applications under citizenship by marriage (“jus matrimoni”).
The citizenship office operates by appointment only. For information, please email: notarile.hongkong@esteri.it
While citizenship matters fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior, below is an overview of current regulations, particularly concerning procedures at Consular Offices.
GENERAL ASPECTS
Italian citizenship is currently governed by Law No. 91 of 05.12.1992, which, unlike the previous Law No. 555/1912, emphasizes individual choice in acquiring or renouncing citizenship and recognizes the right to hold multiple citizenships, unless restricted by international agreements. For citizenship events occurring before 05/12/1992, the provisions of Law No. 555/1912 still apply, except for amendments introduced by Constitutional Court rulings and the 1975 Family Law reforms.
Law No. 94 of 15/07/2009, effective from 08 August 2009 (“Public Security Provisions”), introduced new requirements for citizenship applications by marriage or residence, mandating supporting documentation.
The principles of Italian citizenship are:
– Transmission by descent (“ius sanguinis”);
– Acquisition by birthright (“ius soli”) in certain cases;
– Possibility of multiple citizenship;
– Voluntary declaration for acquisition/renunciation.
Since 16 August 1992 (effective date of Law No. 91/92), acquiring foreign citizenship does not result in the loss of Italian citizenship unless formally renounced (Art. 11, Law No. 91/92), unless overridden by international agreements.
CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT (“JUS SANGUINIS”)
Decree-Law No. 36 of 28/03/2025 substantially modifies the right to Italian citizenship by descent (“Jus sanguinis”) under Law No. 91/1992. Previously, individuals born to or descended from an Italian citizen—even across generations—retained the right to citizenship recognition, regardless of birthplace or residence, with no generational limits. Proof of an unbroken lineage (without naturalization or voluntary renunciation) sufficed.
Decree-Law 36/2025 radically changes this framework.
Under the new Article 3-bis added to Law 91/1992, those born abroad holding another citizenship are deemed “never to have acquired Italian citizenship”, unless they meet one of the following conditions:
- Submitted a complete citizenship recognition application to the relevant consulate or municipality by 23:59 (Rome time) on 27 March 2025;
- Filed a judicial petition for citizenship verification by 23:59 (Rome time) on 27 March 2025;
- Have a natural or adoptive parent born in Italy and holding Italian citizenship;
- Have a natural or adoptive Italian-citizen parent who resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the applicant’s birth/adoption;
- Have a grandparent born in Italy and holding Italian citizenship (first-degree ascendant of a parent).
Important: Decree-Law 36/2025 took immediate effect on 29 March 2025 but is provisional and must be converted into law within 60 days of publication (per Art. 77 of the Constitution).
Application fee: €600 (payable in local currency).
For more information, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website [HERE].
CITIZENSHIP BY MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION (“JUS MATRIMONI” (ex Art. 5, Law 91/1992)
IMPORTANT: Decree-Law No. 113 of 04/10/2018 (Law No. 132/2018) amended the 1992 citizenship law, now requiring Italian language proficiency at level B1 (CEFR).
The Ministry of the Interior has the exclusive right to assess applications.
– For applications filed by 19/12/2020: processing time is 48 months.
– For applications filed from 20/12/2020: processing time is 24 months (extendable to 36 months).
If approved, the Ministry of Interior will issue a citizenship decree to the relevant consulate.
Requirements for foreign spouses of Italian citizens residing abroad (Art. 1, Law No. 94/2009):
- Three years of marriage/civil union (reduced to 1.5 years if minor children exist);
- Marriage/civil union registered in the competent Italian municipality;
- Italian spouse must be registered as an Italian living overseas (AIRE) at the consulate.
Applications must be submitted EXCLUSIVELY online via the ALI Portal:
(https://portaleserviziapp.dlci.interno.it/AliCittadinanza/ali/home.htm
NOTE: Due to operational changes on the citizenship portal (since January 2021), applicants are advised to verify document compliance with this Consulate before uploading to ALI.
Please book an appointment via Prenot@mi and email notarile.hongkong@esteri.it with the chosen date.
IMPORTANT: Personal details (name, surname, patronymic if applicable) MUST match the data on the birth certificate and discrepancies in foreign documents require documented proof of name changes.
Required documents (to be uploaded to ALI):
- a) Full birth certificate(*);
- b) Marriage/civil union certificate (with marginal notes) from the Italian municipality or AIRE-registered commune (valid 6 months from the date of issue);
- c) Criminal record certificate from country of origin and any countries of residence since age 14(*). For Hong Kong, you can request a police letter at the Consulate via appointment. These certificates are valid 6 months from the date of issue;
- d) Italian B1 language certificate, only from authorized institutions:
(Università per Stranieri di Siena/Perugia, Roma Tre, Dante Alighieri);
- e) Payment receipt of €250 to:
Ministry of the Interior, D.L.C.I. – Cittadinanza
IBAN: IT54D0760103200000000809020 | SWIFT: BPPIITRRXXX;
- f) Passport copy.
(*) Documents under (a) and (c) require Apostille/legalization by the Italian diplomatic authority and official Italian translation (unless exempted by international treaties).
NB: The email provided in the application form serves as “elected domicile” (Art. 47 Civil Code) and all communications (requests, notices, etc.) will be sent exclusively to this email address.
As of 25 May 2022, the €250 fee can be paid via PagoPA on the ALI portal.
After consular appointment, applicants MUST submit original documents in person. The Italian spouse (AIRE-registered) must provide a self-declaration confirming:
– Family status;
– Italian citizenship;
– No legal/separation from spouse;
– Marriage/civil union date/place and Italian municipality of registration.
FORMS:
– Certificate of No Criminal Record issued by the Hong Kong Police Force
HOW TO TRACK ONLINE APPLICATIONS
You can track the status of your application by registering at the following link https://www.interno.gov.it/it/temi/cittadinanza-e-altri-diritti-civili/cittadinanza/cittadinanza-consulta-pratica
Aspiring citizens can also download the IO APP on their smartphone and then easily interact with the Ministry of the Interior to follow the status of their application submitted online. IO APP allows immediate follow-up with maximum transparency and efficiency in all phases of the procedure to be naturalised Italian.
ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY RESIDENCE AND NATURALIZATION
(art.9 L. 91 – 5 February 1992)
Foreign citizens resident in Italy can apply for Italian citizenship in compliance with art.9 of Law n. 91 of 5 February of 1992, par. 1 and following amendments.
These applications may be granted only by presidential decree upon proposal by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the following cases:
– If the applicant was born and legally resident in Italy for at least three years ( art.9, paragraph 1, letter a) ;
– If the applicant is the child or grandchild of Italian citizens by birth and legally resident in Italy for at least three years ( art.9, paragraph 1, letter a);
– If the applicant was adopted as an adult (over 18 years of age) by an Italian citizen and legally resident in Italy for more than five years from the date of the adoption (art.9, paragraph 1, letter b);
– If the applicant is or was employed as a civil servant by the Italian Government, in Italy or overseas, for at least 5 years ( art.9, paragraph 1, letter c) ;
– If the applicant is a EU citizen legally resident in Italy for at least 4 years ( art.9, paragraph 1, letter d);
– If the applicant is stateless or a refugee legally resident in Italy for at least 5 years (art.9, par. 1, letter e);
– If the applicant is a foreign citizen legally resident in Italy for at least 10 years (art.9, par.1, letter f).
As per art.1, par. 11 of Law n.94/2009, applications for citizenship by residence must provide original certifications.
Documents to be submitted together with the application for citizenship by residence are:
1) Historical residence certificate on pre-stamped forms for official use;
2) No criminal records certificate (“casellario giudiziale e dei carichi pendent”) on pre-stamped forms for official use;
3) Family registration certificate (stato di famiglia) on pre-stamped forms for official use.;
4) Certified copies of tax declarations (CUD, UNICO, 730) for the last 3 years of tax payments.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO: The President of the Republic of Italy and submitted to the Provincial Government Office (Prefettura) of the province of residence.
ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP BY DECLARATION OF INTENT
If the applicant is the descendant of an Italian citizen (up to the 2nd degree), he/she can be granted Italian citizenship only if:
– he/she has served in the Italian armed forces;
– he/she has been employed as a civil servant of the Italian Government, in Italy or overseas, for at least 5 years;
– he/she has resided legally in Italy for at least 2 years after reaching of legal age.
If the foreigner was born on Italian soil, he/she can obtain citizenship by residing legally and uninterruptedly in Italy from birth to legal age.
For any further information regarding the above cases, please contact the competent Municipality or Prefecture.
HOW TO REGAIN ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP
Italian citizenship may be regained:
1) Automatically, 1 year after establishing legal residence in Italy, unless the applicant renounces his/her Italian citizenship during the same period;
2) By Application in the following cases:
– if the applicant is serving in the Italian Armed Forces;
– if the applicant is hired as a civil servant by the Italian Government, in Italy or overseas;
– if the applicants is resident abroad and provides the Italian Embassy/Consulate with a statement of intention to regain Italian citizenship and establish the residence in Italy within one year from the such declaration;
– if the applicant is an Italian woman who lost her Italian citizenship by contracting marriage with a foreigner before 1st January 1948.