Italian Citizenship by Marriage
Foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period.
The Italian Citizenship by Marriage is a Italian settlement & citizenship visa. This guide covers who it's for, the key eligibility criteria, the indicative 2025 cost (~€250 application fee) and processing time (~24-36 months), the route to permanent residence, common pitfalls and FAQs.
Who the Italian Citizenship by Marriage is for
Foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period.
Grants full Italian and EU citizenship.
Italian Citizenship by Marriage - eligibility criteria
- Married to an Italian citizen for 2 years residing in Italy (3 if abroad)
- Period halved if there are children
- Marriage valid and subsisting at decision
- B1-level Italian language certificate
- Clean criminal record
Italian Citizenship by Marriage cost & processing time (2025)
The indicative government fee for the Italian Citizenship by Marriage (Italy) is ~€250 application fee, with an indicative processing time of ~24-36 months. Figures are for 2025 and may change - confirm at Italy Visa Portal.
| Type | Citizenship |
|---|---|
| Where you apply | Online to the Ministry of the Interior (interno.gov.it) |
| Length of stay | Permanent (Italian/EU citizenship) |
| Work rights | Full citizen rights |
| Study rights | Full citizen rights |
| Government fee | ~€250 application fee |
| Processing time | ~24-36 months |
| Route to PR | Grants full Italian and EU citizenship. |
Pathway & next steps
Grants full Italian and EU citizenship.
Many applicants also compare Spouse Visa · Spouse / Partner of an Italian Citizen Visa, Naturalisation · Italian Citizenship by Naturalisation (Residence), EU Family Card · Residence Card for Family of an EU/Italian Citizen. Run a free VisaChief check to see which Italian route best fits your profile, then prepare an application reviewed by a registered migration agency in our partner network.
Common Italian Citizenship by Marriage pitfalls we fix
Italian Citizenship by Marriage - frequently asked questions
How much does the Italian Citizenship by Marriage cost?
The Italian Citizenship by Marriage government fee is ~€250 application fee. Figures are indicative for 2025; always confirm current fees at Italy Visa Portal before applying.
How long does the Italian Citizenship by Marriage take to process?
Indicative processing time is ~24-36 months. Actual timeframes vary with caseload, completeness and your circumstances.
Does the Italian Citizenship by Marriage lead to permanent residence?
Grants full Italian and EU citizenship.
Can I work on the Italian Citizenship by Marriage?
Work rights: Full citizen rights.
Who can apply for the Italian Citizenship by Marriage?
Foreign spouses or partners of an Italian citizen applying for citizenship after a qualifying period.
Sources & official references
This guide is compiled from official Italy government sources and is updated periodically. Eligibility, fees and processing times change - always confirm the current rules with the issuing authority before you apply:
- Italy Visa Portal - official Italy immigration authority