Italian Dual Citizenship Legal Services
How You Can Become an Italian Citizen
There are several ways to become an Italian citizen. The right one for you depends on your family history and your own situation. Below we explain each one in simple terms.
Through your Italian family (citizenship by descent)
Many Americans have an Italian parent, grandparent or great-grandparent. For a long time, this family connection was often enough to be recognized as an Italian citizen.
In 2025 Italy changed the law. The new rules are often called the “Tajani Decree”. Today, most people born outside Italy who also hold another citizenship can be recognized only if a parent or grandparent was born in Italy and held only Italian citizenship when they were born (or adopted).
There are some exceptions. They include applications that were filed in time under the old rules and certain cases where a parent lived in Italy.
The new law is being challenged. A case about it is waiting for a decision from the European Court of Justice. Until the courts decide, the new law applies.
Is there still a way for my family?
In our view, the new law raises serious questions under the Italian Constitution and European law, and many of these questions have not yet been decided by the courts.
Attorney Adriana Ruggeri has developed a legal strategy to challenge the new restrictions in selected cases. It pays special attention to so-called “1948 cases”: families where Italian citizenship passes through a woman who had her child before 1948. At that time the law did not allow women to pass citizenship to their children, and Italian courts have recognized this as discrimination.
This strategy uses arguments that are different from those already examined by the Italian Constitutional Court and by the European Court of Justice. Whether it can work for you depends on your family line, the dates, any naturalizations and other details. We look at each case individually.
Timing can matter. With the “minor issue” (a question about children of Italians who became citizens of another country), our firm’s work in court helped reach a favorable result. Families who acted early had options that could have been lost by waiting for everything to be settled.
For these reasons, we continue to take on challenges to the new law for clients whose family history gives solid grounds for going to court.
Through marriage or civil union
You can become an Italian citizen through marriage or a civil union only if you meet the requirements set by law. These include where you live, your family situation, knowledge of the Italian language and the documents required. Being engaged is not enough.
After living in Italy (naturalization)
You can also apply after 10 years of legal residence in Italy with a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno). This route is more complex, and the rules change often. If this is your situation, contact us and we will guide you step by step.
If your application was refused
If you already applied and your application was refused, we may still be able to help. Our firm has successfully appealed many refused applications.
How the application is made
Depending on your case, the application goes through an Italian consulate, an Italian town hall, or an Italian court. Before we recommend a route, we review your case and confirm the current requirements.
How we help you
Coco Ruggeri & Associates has helped many individuals and families with Italian citizenship. We also advise on U.S. and dual citizenship. Depending on your case, we can:
- Check whether you qualify;
- Research your family history;
- Choose the right procedure, at a consulate or in court;
- Obtain the birth, marriage and other records you need from Italy, the United States and other countries;
- Correct differences in names and dates between records;
- Arrange apostilles, legalizations and translations;
- Prepare your complete application file;
- Assist you with the consulate, where applicable; and
- Represent you before the Italian courts when a court case is needed.
Contact us to talk about your family’s situation. We will explain the rules that apply to you and help you take the first step.