Blog/April 30, 2026
How to Get an Italian Citizenship by Naturalization in 2026
By Relova Team
Italian citizenship naturalization 2026: 10 years residence (4 EU, 2 born Italy, 5 refugee); B1 CELI/CILS; fee ~€250; income ~€8,500/yr cited; processing 2–4…
Italian citizenship naturalization 2026 Italy grants citizenship by naturalisation after ten years of legal residence for most third-country nationals—four years for EU citizens, two if born in Italy, five for refugees. You will need B1 Italian via CELI or CILS, clean criminal records, and income tests near €8,500 yearly for singles in many prefecture briefings. Application fees hover around €250 but Prefettura queues stretch two to four years in backlog-heavy provinces. Dual citizenship is permitted, and naturalised parents transmit to minors. Unlike jure sanguinis, this path does not need ancestral paperwork but demands patient document chains for every residence permit.
Table of Contents
- Immigration: which route actually fits
- Rent, budget, and the real monthly numbers
- Practical logistics and daily life
- Key numbers at a glance
Immigration: which route actually fits
Standard residence is typically 10 years (TCN). EU citizen: 4 years (verify). Dual citizenship lands around yes (policy).
Rent, budget, and the real monthly numbers
Expect Income at €8.5k/yr (cited). Fee comes in at €250 (update).
Practical logistics and daily life
Born in Italy: 2 years (rare). Refugee comes in at 5 years (protection). Language lands around B1 (CELI/CILS). Expect Processing at 2–4 yrs (backlog).
Key numbers at a glance
| Rule | Term | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard residence | 10 years | TCN |
| EU citizen | 4 years | verify |
| Born in Italy | 2 years | rare |
| Refugee | 5 years | protection |
| Language | B1 | CELI/CILS |
| Income | ~€8.5k/yr | cited |
| Fee | ~€250 | update |
| Processing | 2–4 yrs | backlog |
| Dual citizenship | yes | policy |
Pair this with Move To Italy Guide 2026 for the fuller picture.
Related guides on this blog: Move To Italy Guide 2026, Eu Citizenship Guide 2026, Italian Citizenship Jure Sanguinis Guide 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What monthly budget should I plan for Italian citizenship naturalization 2026?
Income sits near €8.5k/yr (cited). Rent is only the anchor — utilities, transport, and a first-month setup fund push the real number higher.
Which permit should I prioritize for Italian citizenship naturalization 2026?
Budget 10 years for Standard residence (TCN). Line up apostilles and certified translations early, because they are the step that quietly delays most applications.
What should I check before committing to Italian citizenship naturalization 2026?
Language: B1 (CELI/CILS). Details like this are easy to miss from abroad but shape daily life fast once you land.
What is the smartest first step for Italian citizenship naturalization 2026?
Start by pressure-testing the headline number — Income at €8.5k/yr (cited) — against your situation, then lock the legal steps before optimizing lifestyle or taxes.
Turn research into a checklist you can execute week by week with Relova.