Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who was an Italian citizen when they adopted you?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Italian passport and ID
Italian citizens can get an Italian passport and an electronic identity card.
Live in Italy for life
Italian citizens can enter, live in and return to Italy without a visa or residence permit.
Study in Italy
Italian citizens can study in Italy on the same terms as other Italian citizens.
Work in Italy
Italian citizens can work or run a business in Italy without a work permit.
Get help abroad
Italian consulates provide documents and registration services to Italian citizens abroad.
They can also help citizens in difficulty where possible, including with emergencies, legal and health problems, and limited financial help.
Vote in elections
Italian citizens can vote in elections and referendums if they meet the age and voting-register rules.
Citizens living abroad who are registered with AIRE can vote in the overseas constituency for parliamentary elections and national referendums.
Use public healthcare
Italian citizens living in Italy can use the National Health Service through their local health authority.
Care includes family doctors, children's care, medicines, specialists, hospital care and emergency care.
Get family support
Italian citizens may qualify for payments for children, depending on residence, work and tax or social-security conditions.
The amount depends on family circumstances and income.
Maternity benefits depend on the kind of work and other conditions.
How to apply
Applying onlineApplying online
Find your prefecture
Find the prefecture for the province where you live in Italy. Your online application will be sent to that office.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which prefecture handles Cittadinanza per residenza in Italy for your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your citizenship application.
See required documentsOpen the application form
Open the citizenship services portal to find the online Model B application for citizenship by residence.
Open the portalFill in the application online
Sign in with SPID or your electronic identity card, then complete Model B and select the option for a person adopted by an Italian citizen. Enter the details of your adoption decision.
Fill in the formPay the application fee
Pay the €250 fee following the payment instructions and keep the receipt. Obtain an electronic revenue stamp and enter its details in your application.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the fee and obtain the electronic revenue stamp for Cittadinanza per residenza in Italy?”
Upload your documents
Scan and upload the required documents and your payment receipt to the portal as PDFs. Include all pages, seals and signatures, and keep each PDF to 4 MB or less.
Upload your documentsSubmit your application
Submit your completed application through the portal. It will be sent to the prefecture for the province where you live.
Submit your applicationAttend any requested appointment
If the prefecture calls you for an identity or document check, attend with your original documents and your current identity and residence documents.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend a prefecture appointment for Cittadinanza per residenza in Italy?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application in the citizenship portal and respond if the prefecture asks for more information or documents. You will receive the decision through the SEND digital notification platform.
Follow your applicationTake the oath
If your application is approved, take the oath at the town hall where you live within six months of receiving the decision. You can then become an Italian citizen and apply for an Italian passport.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I arrange the oath after approval of Cittadinanza per residenza at comune di your city in Italy?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption decision
Provide the complete court decision or order showing that your Italian parent adopted you, including the date of adoption. If the adoption took place outside Italy, it must have the required legal effect in Italy.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Registration when living abroad
Italian citizens moving abroad for more than 12 months must register with AIRE, Italy's register of citizens living abroad.
Short stays, seasonal work and some other cases are exempt.
Registration matters for consular services, documents and voting from abroad.
Citizenship can be lost
You can lose citizenship for serving a foreign state or holding foreign public office after Italy orders you to stop, or for certain acts during war.
It can also be lost if your adoption is revoked because of your conduct and you have or gain another citizenship.
You can give it up if you have another citizenship and live or move abroad, or in certain cases if you gained it as a child through a parent.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
🇮🇹 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐙𝐀 𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐀 🇮🇹
Italian Facebook group for people interested in Italian citizenship
Join on FacebookCittadinanza Italiana 🇮🇹 Informazioni e suggerimenti.
Italian Facebook group for people interested in Italian citizenship
Join on FacebookCittadinanza Italiana Per Stranieri
Italian Facebook group for people interested in Italian citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated