Dual Citizenship - How to Travel, Work and Live in Italy after Brexit

Every-day life related to Europe for UK citizens post-Brexit has completely changed. Initially, there was inevitable confusion, not only amongst individuals but also amongst organisations, for example, some airlines barred travel to Europe for UK citizens incorrectly thinking that they were not permitted to enter Europe.

Crossing the border of an EU Member State for a UK citizen is now very different and open to challenge by Border Officers. The options for travel, residency and employment vary depending on exactly what you would like to do.  However, there are options that can restore these freedoms.

Dual Citizenship- Italy

Now more than ever dual citizenship provides a significant advantage, there are a wealth of advantages to obtaining dual citizenship but not all European countries permit it.

Italy permits dual citizenship and the experienced lawyers in Giambrone’s immigration team assist hundreds of clients to become Italian citizens every year.  All those who qualify through descent, marriage or residency for dual citizenship with Italy can take advantage of our staged payment plan. Italian citizenship can be obtained through the following:

Italian descent: through the laws of jure sanguinis

An application can be made through your Italian lineage of your forefathers. You will need their original birth, marriage and death certificates and also a declaration that the person you are relying on did not renounce their Italian citizenship in favour of naturalisation.

Marriage to an Italian citizen

A foreign national married to an Italian citizen can apply for Italian citizenship through Italian law governed by Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 of Law n. 91- 1992 after two years of marriage if the couple resides in Italy and after three years if you live outside Italy.  If there are children of the marriage under the age of majority an application can be made after one year, if you live in Italy and 18 months if you do not.  Same-sex civil unions are recognised in Italy and the same rules and procedures apply.

Naturalisation following long-term residency in Italy:

Italian citizenship can be requested by foreign long-term residents in Italy. A non-EU member state citizen may apply after ten years of residency. However, If you have Italian forefathers who renounced their citizenship you may apply for citizenship after three years. Residency must have been legal and continuous and the applicant must have paid taxes and can produce proof of earnings.  All applicants require their own identity documents such as a birth certificate and they must be translated into Italian and sanctioned by the Apostille process. 

A criminal record check must be made for all applications and any applicant who has been found guilty of a serious crime will be automatically excluded.

Elze Obrikyte, an associate, commented  “an alternative route to Italian citizenship is to consider an Investor Visa. This is open to nationals of non-EU Member States who invest in a Government bond, or an Italian company or pioneering start-up or make a philanthropic donation” she  further stated, “in 2018 the minimum investment in a company was reduced to €500,000 and €250,000 for a start-up.”

The Investor Visa is designed to encourage foreign investment in Italy by dynamic entrepreneurs from non-EU Member States that bring their flair and business acumen and will make a significant contribution to the Italian economy.  Giambrone’s immigration team can assist in all the various methods of achieving access to both residency in Italy and the ability to travel unhindered across Europe.

For further information about gaining Italian citizenship please click here