Fast Track

Applying in Italy

If you qualify for Italian Citizenship through jure sanguinis at a consulate then you also have the option to apply for your citizenship directly in Italy. This is an amazing option that not only helps you get your citizenship in record time, but also is the starting point for your move to Italy.

However, there is a lot of false information out there that is misleading, so let’s clear it up now.

Do I have to move to Italy?
Yes.

Here’s why. You’re only legally able to apply for your citizenship from the jurisdiction where you live. This is why you will apply at the closest consulate in your home country.

To apply in Italy, you must firsts live in Italy. Make sense?

This brings us to myth #1 – You only need to be in Italy for 90 days to apply for citizenship.

This is false.

You must establish residency and live in Italy for the duration of your citizenship application. This can be up to a year, and in some busier places, 12+ months.

Residency cannot be temporary.

Be very cautions if someone offers to help you with citizenship and tells you that you only must be in Italy for a few weeks or max 90 days. This is very dangerous and fraudulent. In fact, if you are not a resident of Italy, and obtain your citizenship through these fraudulent means, then you could be like one of the recent 600 Brazilians who applied in Nettuno (outside of Rome) without holding residency, all of whom had their citizenship revoked.

Now, having residency doesn’t mean that you cannot leave Italy while you are waiting on your citizenship. Of course you can go back to your home country, or another country for vacation, but you must maintain your Italian residency to apply here.

Therefore, the first consideration you must make is, can you move your residency to Italy? This means you will move and live in Italy and depending on how long you are here, could have some tax implications.

The good news is, that if you are moving to Italy to apply for your citizenship, you do not need a visa to enter the country. You can come as a tourist and apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno per attesa cittadinanza (Permit to stay waiting on citizenship).

If you have all of your documents in order to prove your rightful citizenship, you can apply for a permesso di soggiorno and stay without a visa. The reason is that the comune says, hey – we know you are Italian, so you can stay while we go through the process.

This is great news for the applicant but what about their spouse? Which leads us to the second myth, and that is that the spouse of the Italian applicant cannot stay in Italy for more than 90 days.

False.

The spouse of an Italian citizen has the same rights at the Italian (or soon to be). This means that the spouse can also apply for a permit to stay based on being married to the Italian applicant. This process can be tricky depending on the comune, and you will need further supporting documents. We assist countless married couples in this way.  The key word is "married."  This will not work for common law situations.

Finally, the location. You can apply at any comune you like it doesn’t have to be the comune of your ancestor.

You will need to have a place to live, which is a registered lease (not an Airbnb) and all of your documents must be completed in the correct format for a Fast Track application directly in Italy before you arrive. You can use the Starter, Plus or Full Service for this portion of your application.

Applying in Italy is complicated, and the process can vary widely from one comune to another, and even one clerk to another. It can be quite challenging to explain your family line and address any discrepancies, especially if you do not speak Italian. If you have packed up and moved to Italy with the intention of claiming your Italian citizenship, you should also budget for assistance.

There is too much at stake to wing it. But you don't have to spend a fortune for help. With remote and in-person packages, we have a service to help you regardless of your budget.

If you are wondering if applying in Italy is worth it, the answer is yes! The wait times can vary from the fastest of four (4) months to longest, twelve (12) months which is a fraction of the wait time at your consulate.

Our citizenship team helps you every step of the way, from preparing your application, setting up appointments, finding accommodation, ensuring documentation meets your chosen location's needs, and accompanying you to each appointment from start to finish.

Time to process

Likelihood of success

Where to apply

key points

You must have a completed application prior to commencing with a Fast Track. If you have completed your application on your own, or through our starter pack, we require a full legal review prior to commencing the legal work.

4 - 12 months (average)

100% if all documentations are correct

Any Comune (town hall) you like

here's how it works

Smart Move Italy's Fast Track Package is a turn-key solution to your Citizenship by applying directly in Italy at the Town Hall (Comune) where you will establish residency. 
This can be any Comune in Italy, the choice is yours.

Scheduling and management of all appointments
Preparation of all forms and applications
Accompaniment to all appointments 
Liaison with all immigration officials
One-on-one consultation throughout the process
Permesso di Soggiorno Application Assistance
Residency Assistance
Assistance with passport application

includes

€3,500

Not including legal review if required
Includes rental assistance
Extra spouse €800
Prices in EUR plus tax

Important:

can apply anywhere in italy
don't need a visa
must establish and maintain residency in italy
spouse can join you

Are You Ready to Fast Track Your Italian Citizenship?

in person assistance

Who can apply for a Permit to Stay

Applicant plus spouse

€2,000

Not including legal review if required
Includes rental assistance
Extra spouse €800
Prices in EUR plus tax

remote assistance

Or..