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Questura · Ministero dell’Interno
Permanent residency & citizenship in Italy
Long-term residence, family reunification and citizenship rules from Italian law (Testo unico immigrazione and the citizenship law), with the fees set nationally.
At a glance
- EU long-term residence
- 5 years with a valid permit
- Long-term permit contribution
- €100
- Naturalisation
- 10 years of legal residence
- Citizenship language level
- Italian at B1
- Citizenship application
- €250
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed under Italian law
Permanent residence
Pathways to permanent status
The Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo (EU long-term residence permit) is open to non-EU nationals who have held a valid residence permit for at least 5 years. It is valid for 10 years.
Compare pathways below — full eligibility, documents, and authority links are in each expandable section.
| Pathway | Minimum stay | Language | Income | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU long-term residence permit Non-EU nationals living legally in Italy on a residence permit | At least 5 years with a valid residence permit | Pass an Italian language test | Income not lower than the annual ‘assegno sociale’ | €100 permit contribution |
Non-EU nationals living legally in Italy on a residence permit EU long-term residence permit Expand for criteria, documents, and references.
Key facts
- Minimum stay / timeline
- At least 5 years with a valid residence permit
- Income / maintenance
- Income not lower than the annual ‘assegno sociale’
- Language / knowledge
- Pass an Italian language test
- Processing
- By law the Questura issues the permit within 90 days of the application
- Costs / fees
- €100 permit contribution
- Renewal / validity
- The permit is valid for 10 years
Eligibility triggers
- 5 years with a valid residence permit
- Income not lower than the annual ‘assegno sociale’
- Pass an Italian language test
Documents & evidence
- Evidence of income at least the annual assegno sociale
- Italian language test result
Typical process
- Check you meet the residence, income and language conditions
- Apply to the Questura (permit applications are sent with the kit from an enabled post office)
- Collect the permit from the Questura
Benefits
- ✓ Valid for 10 years
Limitations & cautions
- ! You must meet the income and language conditions when you apply
FAQ — Permanent residence
Who can bring family members to Italy?
Does the EU Blue Card count toward long-term residence?
Citizenship
Naturalisation & special routes
Italian citizenship by residence needs at least 10 years of legal residence and Italian at B1 level. The application contribution is €250. Italy allows dual citizenship; whether you can keep your current nationality depends on your home country’s law.
Snapshot across citizenship pathways — detailed rules are in each expandable section.
| Pathway | Minimum stay | Language | Income | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizenship by residence Non-EU nationals with long legal residence in Italy | At least 10 years of legal residence | Italian at B1 level (CEFR) | Other requirements apply and are assessed by the Ministero dell’Interno with your application | €250 application contribution |
| Citizenship by marriage Spouses of Italian citizens | Spouse of an Italian citizen: after 2 years' legal residence in Italy after marriage (3 years if living abroad; halved with children) | Italian at B1 level (CEFR) | Assessed by the Ministero dell’Interno with your application | €250 application contribution |
Non-EU nationals with long legal residence in Italy Citizenship by residence Expand for criteria, documents, and references.
Key facts
- Minimum stay / timeline
- At least 10 years of legal residence
- Income / maintenance
- Other requirements apply and are assessed by the Ministero dell’Interno with your application
- Language / knowledge
- Italian at B1 level (CEFR)
- Processing
- By law the Ministero dell’Interno decides within 24–36 months of the application (the lower limit can be extended up to the upper one)
- Costs / fees
- €250 application contribution
- Renewal / validity
- Not applicable once citizenship is granted
Eligibility triggers
- 10 years of legal residence
- Italian at B1 level
Documents & evidence
- Italian language certificate (B1)
- Proof of payment of the €250 contribution
Typical process
- Check you meet the residence and language requirements
- Apply to the Ministero dell’Interno
- Pay the €250 contribution
Benefits
- ✓ Italian and EU citizenship
- ✓ Dual citizenship allowed under Italian law
Limitations & cautions
- ! Requirements beyond residence and language are assessed case by case by the Ministero dell’Interno
Spouses of Italian citizens Citizenship by marriage Expand for criteria, documents, and references.
Key facts
- Minimum stay / timeline
- Spouse of an Italian citizen: after 2 years' legal residence in Italy after marriage (3 years if living abroad; halved with children)
- Income / maintenance
- Assessed by the Ministero dell’Interno with your application
- Language / knowledge
- Italian at B1 level (CEFR)
- Processing
- By law the Ministero dell’Interno decides within 24–36 months of the application (the lower limit can be extended up to the upper one)
- Costs / fees
- €250 application contribution
- Renewal / validity
- Not applicable once citizenship is granted
Eligibility triggers
- Spouse of an Italian citizen: after 2 years' legal residence in Italy after marriage (3 years if living abroad; halved with children)
Documents & evidence
- Italian language certificate (B1)
- Proof of payment of the €250 contribution
Typical process
- Check the residence period after marriage applies to you
- Apply to the Ministero dell’Interno and pay the contribution
Benefits
- ✓ Shorter route than citizenship by residence
Limitations & cautions
- ! Only residence after the marriage counts
Official references
FAQ — Citizenship
Can I keep my original nationality?
Has citizenship law changed recently?
Reference desk
Official source index
Primary legislation portals and migration authorities cited across this page.