After citizenship
Now what?
Your Italian citizenship has been recognized. These are the most important next steps.
Register with AIRE
AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) is the registry of Italians living outside Italy. Registering is mandatory, and it unlocks consular services, including your passport.
- Ask the Italian consulate that serves your home address to register you.
- If that consulate recognized your citizenship, ask whether your registration is already done.
- Without AIRE registration you can't apply for a passport at the consulate or vote from abroad.
Apply for your Italian passport
Once you're registered with AIRE, you can apply for your Italian passport at the consulate. For adults it is valid for 10 years.
- You'll need a recent photo, a photo ID and your AIRE registration.
- The consulate takes your fingerprints in person.
- Each consulate lists its current processing times and fee on its website.
Dual citizenship: the rules by country
Italy doesn't ask you to give up your current citizenship. What matters is what your other country's law says, so check it before you finish the Italian process.
- United States: US law allows dual nationality. You don't have to choose between US and Italian citizenship.
- Argentina: expressly allows dual citizenship. You keep your Argentine citizenship.
- Uruguay: allows dual citizenship without restrictions.
- Chile: lets you keep Chilean citizenship when you acquire another.
- Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Brazil: generally allow dual citizenship; check the current rules in each case.
Your family in Europe
As an EU citizen, if you move to another EU country your family can join you under Directive 2004/38/EC. That is a right to live there, not Italian citizenship.
- Your spouse or registered partner can live and work with you in that country.
- Your children under 21, or older children who depend on you, count as family members with a right of residence. That does not make them Italian citizens.
- Your minor children don't become Italian citizens automatically: the parents must file a declaration and conditions apply, such as filing within the deadline the law sets or living legally in Italy for 2 consecutive years. A specialist should review each family.
- Your spouse can apply through marriage: 2 years of legal residence in Italy after the wedding, or 3 years of marriage if you live abroad (half that if you have children), plus Italian at B1 level.
- Parents who depend on you can also join you under certain conditions.
- Residence is handled by the immigration authority of the EU country where you live.
Healthcare and money in Italy
If you move to Italy, as an Italian citizen you can enroll in the National Health Service (SSN) and open a bank account.
- Tessera Sanitaria: Italy's health card. You request it from the local ASL once you take up residence in Italy.
- Codice Fiscale: the tax code you need for almost everything in Italy. You get it from the Agenzia delle Entrate or at the consulate.
- Bank account: Italian banks will ask for your Codice Fiscale and a photo ID.
- To live in Italy: register your residence with the comune and sign up with the ASL for public healthcare.
Already recognised as an Italian citizen?
Create your free account: your dashboard has the AIRE guide with the Fast It link to register. If your siblings or cousins haven't applied yet, they can check for free whether they qualify through the same line.
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