Jure Sanguinis vs By Marriage: which Italian visa is right for you?
Two routes to Italian citizenship: by descent (jure sanguinis) through an Italian ancestor, and by marriage to an Italian citizen after a qualifying period.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) (Jure Sanguinis) | Italian Citizenship by Marriage (By Marriage) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Permanent / PR | Permanent / PR |
| Who it's for | People with a qualifying Italian-citizen parent or grandparent claiming citizenship by bloodline. | Foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period. |
| Government cost | ~€600+ consular fee (plus document/legalisation costs) | ~€250 application fee |
| Processing time | ~12-36 months (varies widely by route) | ~24-36 months |
| Length of stay | Permanent (Italian/EU citizenship) | Permanent (Italian/EU citizenship) |
| Where to apply | At a consulate abroad, an Italian comune, or via the courts | Online to the Ministry of the Interior (interno.gov.it) |
| Work rights | Full citizen rights | Full citizen rights |
| Pathway to PR | Recognises existing Italian citizenship with full passport rights. | Grants full Italian and EU citizenship. |
Which is right for you?
Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) (Jure Sanguinis)
People with a qualifying Italian-citizen parent or grandparent claiming citizenship by bloodline.
Full Jure Sanguinis guide →Italian Citizenship by Marriage (By Marriage)
Foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period.
Full By Marriage guide →Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Jure Sanguinis or By Marriage?
On indicative 2025-26 government costs, Italian Citizenship by Marriage (By Marriage) is the lowest at ~€250 application fee. Government fees change periodically - confirm before applying.
Which is processed faster, Jure Sanguinis or By Marriage?
Indicatively Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) (Jure Sanguinis) is the quickest at ~12-36 months (varies widely by route). Actual timeframes depend on caseload and how complete your application is.
Do all of these lead to permanent residence?
Yes. Jure Sanguinis: Recognises existing Italian citizenship with full passport rights. By Marriage: Grants full Italian and EU citizenship.
What's the main difference between Jure Sanguinis and By Marriage?
Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) (Jure Sanguinis) is for people with a qualifying Italian-citizen parent or grandparent claiming citizenship by bloodline. Italian Citizenship by Marriage (By Marriage) is for foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period.