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How becoming an Italian citizen can improve your job opportunities in Italy
Becoming an Italian citizen can open up a wealth of new possibilities, giving you the opportunity to live and work across 27 EU member states. This is far from the only reason why someone with Italian descent or who is married or in a civil union with an Italian citizen might want to apply for citizenship. In section, we take a look at some of the tangible benefits conferred by Italian citizenship when it comes to working in Italy, as well as the routes you can take to secure it.
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How does being an Italian citizen affect my job opportunities?
Upon gaining Italian citizenship, you immediately have the same rights to live and work in Italy as any other Italian citizens. This means you will be able to work, pay your taxes and set up a business in Italy. It gives you the right to access benefits should you find yourself unable to work due to disability or illness. It also confers the same right to protection against unfair dismissal. With Italian citizenship and also with a background from another country, you may be more desirable to employers. As a foreign national with Italian citizenship there will be no issue in employing you in the same way as any other Italian citizen and your language skills and experience of living and working overseas could also be attractive.
International companies frequently seek out employees with wider experience as they are an asset to international companies. Additionally, some jobs, such as working for the government, require you to be an Italian citizen, so your new status opens up career opportunities you otherwise wouldn't be able to access.
Benefits for entrepreneurs
As an Italian and EU citizen, you gain access to the single market, the free movement of people as well as the simplicity of a single currency used across multiple nations. The restrictions that apply to non-EU citizens attempting to trade with and in the EU no longer apply. Doing business across EU borders becomes easier.
Benefits for investors
With regard to investment opportunities, Italian citizenship can give you a range of extra options. Italian citizens can purchase Eurobonds, real estate across the EU, and other unit trusts and investment funds currently closed to non-EU citizens.
What are some of the other benefits of obtaining Italian/UK dual citizenship?
As an Italian citizen, you will also be a citizen of the European Union. This gives you the automatic right to work, live and set up a business in any other member state. Travel across the EU is straightforward, with open borders between member states for every EU citizen. You will also gain the same rights as any other Italian citizen. You'll be able to vote and stand for office and determine the future direction of the country.
You can read more about the benefits of obtaining Italian citizenship here.
How do you qualify for Italian citizenship?
There are currently three main paths to becoming an Italian citizen if you were not born in Italy, Jure Sanguinis, or citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage/civil union, and citizenship by naturalisation. Below we outline these options in detail:
Jure Sanguinis/Citizenship by descent
Jure Sanguinis/Citizenship by descent Citizenship by descent or Jure Sanguinis enables a person with Italian heritage to legally acquire an Italian citizenship and an Italian passport. Even if your Italian ancestor is relatively distant, you may still be able to apply should you be able to provide adequate proof. It's worth bearing in mind, however, that Italy only became a unified state in 1861, meaning anyone born before that time will not confer any entitlement to Italian citizenship on their descendants. The female line has only been able to confer citizenship since 1948.
You can find out more about obtaining Italian citizenship through descent here.
Citizenship by marriage/civil union
Upon marrying or entering into a civil union with an Italian citizen, you immediately have the right to apply for Italian citizenship. Variable qualifying periods apply, and it can take up to two years if you are currently resident in Italy and three years if you live outside of the country. No right to citizenship is conferred if your spouse has been convicted of a serious crime or you are considered a terrorist threat.
Do you qualify for Italian citizenship through marriage? Find out more here.
Citizenship by naturalisation
If you're not currently a citizen of an EU member state and have legally resided in Italy for ten years, you can begin the citizenship application process. If you are a citizen of an EU country, you may apply for citizenship of Italy after four years of legal residency. If you have Italian born parents or grandparents who have previously given up their Italian citizenship, you can begin the application process after three years of legal residency.
You can read more about how to obtain citizenship through naturalisation here.
Frequently asked questions – obtaining Italian citizenship
How much does it cost to become an Italian citizen?
Charges may be varied at any time but currently the Italian government charges a fee of 300 euros for a dual citizenship application. As well as this fee, you will need to provide a range of supporting documents. The overall cost of these will depend on the route to citizenship you are taking. You will also have the cost of acquiring a passport.
What taxes will you have to pay as an Italian citizen?
Becoming an Italian citizen does not automatically make you liable for Italian taxes. These will only become liable if you live in Italy for more than 183 days a year. If you live and work in Italy full time, you will be liable for Italian taxes on your income which are applied at a national, regional and local level.
What documents do you need to get dual citizenship in Italy?
The supporting documents required for your application will depend on the route to citizenship you take. Citizenship by descent will require evidence of birth certificates and other documents relating to your Italian forefathers on whom you are relying to provide access to Italian citizenship. If you are relying on marriage to an Italian citizen you will require marriage/civil union certificates, whereas that of residency will require a range of employment and residency documents.
You can read more about the documents needed to apply for Italian citizenship through marriage here.
How long does it take to be formally recognized as an Italian citizen?
The length of time it takes to gain Italian citizenship varies depending on the route taken. The quickest route is by descent. Once you have provided supporting documents, your citizenship application will be processed relatively quickly. By marriage/civil union could take as little as two or three years, depending on where you live and whether there are children of the marriage. Citizenship by residency requires a lengthy qualification period of anywhere between three to ten years, depending on your heritage and current citizenship.
What countries can you live in with an Italian passport?
An Italian passport gives you the right to live and work in any EU country. It's also recognised as one of the most powerful passports in the world, in that it gives you visa-free right to access 188 countries around the world.
Giambrone’s experienced team of immigration lawyers
Giambrone’s immigration team can assist you with your Italian citizenship application. You can read our comprehensive guide to the application process here.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help.
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