Ask The Italian Lawyer

People considering a move to Italy often ask what types of visas are available if they don’t qualify for Italian citizenship by descent. From the elective residency visa (sometimes called the retirement visa) to the investor visa, student visa, work visa, self-employment visa, and now even the digital nomad visa, each option has its own requirements and restrictions. Each of these visas comes with...

When it comes to retiring in Italy, one of the biggest questions people have is how that decision can eventually lead to Italian citizenship. For non-EU citizens, getting started usually means applying for a visa like the elective residency visa or in some cases the investor visa, while EU citizens follow a different and simpler path. From there, the length of time you’ll need to live in Italy bef...

Many people applying for Italian citizenship by descent get confused about document requirements, especially when choosing between consulate applications and Italian court petitions. The requirements aren't identical, and understanding these differences could save you time, money, and frustration in your citizenship journey. With more people exploring both consulate and court application optio...

When planning to purchase property in Italy, timing can play a crucial role since cultural traditions and holiday periods often affect availability of notaries, real estate agents, and property owners. Understanding when the Italian real estate market effectively slows down can help international buyers avoid unnecessary delays and frustration. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by I...

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorization System, has been announced for years but its start date has been delayed multiple times. Nitalytravel #italy #italyvisitvisaally planned and changes to how the program will work, many people want to know what this means when it finally begins. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by Italian attorney Marco Permunian and dual citiz...

The Tajani Decree introduced sudden and far-reaching changes to Italian citizenship by descent, and for many this raised questions such as who is Antonio Tajani and how was he able to bring about such a major reform. To better understand the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the powers of the Italian government when issuing emergency decrees, and what this means for people of Italian descen...

The regional government of Trentino has launched a targeted program offering financial incentives for those willing to buy and renovate property in 32 selected towns, with funding of up to €100,000 depending on purchase and renovation costs. While widely portrayed as “getting paid to move to Italy,” the scheme has specific requirements, including residency commitments or long-term rental to new re...

The Italian Constitutional Court has released its long-awaited decision following a key hearing on the validity of older Italian citizenship legislation. With implications for applications submitted before recent changes took effect, this ruling raises important legal questions for those navigating dual citizenship by descent. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by Italian attorney Ma...

A recent case brought before the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation (Corte di Cassazione) has brought renewed attention to the so-called “minor issue” in Italian citizenship by descent, iure sanguinis. Now being evaluated at the highest level by all judicial panels (Sezioni Unite), this legal development may influence how certain family-based applications for dual Italian citizenship are approache...

What is a circolare and why is it something you might hear about when dealing with Italian citizenship by descent, residency applications, or navigating Italian bureaucracy? These internal government directives are not laws themselves, but they often play a major role in how Italian consulates, local municipalities, and other public offices interpret and apply the law. In this episode of Ask The I...

If you lost your Italian citizenship by becoming a citizen of another country before 1992, there’s a new opportunity to reclaim it—without moving back to Italy. A recent change in Italian law now allows eligible individuals to submit a self-declaration at their local consulate between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027. Find out who qualifies, what documents are needed, and why it’s important to...

Renewing an Italian passport abroad outside of Italy involves understanding the passport renewal process for Italian citizens living overseas, including consular jurisdiction and the use of the Prenot@Mi appointment booking system. Italian citizens must renew their Italian passport through the correct Italian consulate based on where they reside, and in some locations, honorary consulates may assi...

Italy’s Circolare No. 59/2025 lays out what Italian citizens need to know when it comes to registering the birth of a minor child abroad moving forward after the Tajani Decree. The updated guidelines explain how and when to file the required self-declaration—whether through an Italian consulate or after moving back and establishing residency in Italy—along with important details that may impact a...

Recent updates to Italian citizenship by descent in 2025 have introduced new guidelines and application fees, prompting many applicants to explore different approaches. With adjustments to generational eligibility and how naturalization is evaluated, there are now more specific pathways to consider when pursuing Italian dual citizenship—such as applying through the courts. In this episode of Ask T...

The citizenship referendum, which asked Italy’s citizens to weigh in on the possibility of lowering the residency requirement for naturalization from 10 years to 5, has now come to a close—but the result, and what it signals about public participation and the mechanics of triggering referendums, seems to be raising just as many questions as the vote itself. Residency-based naturalization, voter tu...

A newly issued Circolare from the Italian Ministry of the Interior addresses how recent legislative changes to Italian citizenship are to be interpreted by consulates and municipalities. With updates touching on eligibility requirements and procedural adjustments, the memo has also raised new questions about how the rules will be put into practice and what still needs to be clarified. In this epis...

For those who couldn’t secure an appointment to apply for Italian citizenship by descent before the March 28, 2025 deadline, there may still be legal options worth exploring. Even with the changes to the process, some applicants might still have a path forward—particularly if their inability to book an appointment was beyond their control. With the right approach, certain cases could potentially q...

Challenging the Tajani Decree through Italy’s legal system isn’t as straightforward as filing a direct petition, but there are avenues that may allow for constitutional scrutiny under specific circumstances. The possibility depends heavily on how the case is brought forward and the procedural route it follows. In this episode of Ask The Italian Lawyer hosted by Italian attorney Marco Permunian and...

With the 2025 Tajani emergency decree changing the landscape for Italian citizenship by descent, many are left wondering if applying under the old rules is still possible. While the decree limits eligibility to those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent, exceptions may apply for individuals who took key steps—like booking or attempting to book a consular appointment—before the March 28 cutof...

Getting an Italian retirement visa—also known as the elective residence visa—isn’t as instant as some might hope. There’s the wait to book your consulate appointment, the time needed to gather all the right paperwork, and then the actual processing period once everything’s submitted. The timeline can shift depending on where you’re applying from and how prepared you are. Understanding what affects...

An emergency law decree in Italy is a legal tool that gives the government the power to act quickly in urgent situations, carrying the same weight as a law passed by Parliament. Iitaliancitizenship #juresanguinis #dualcitizenshipusual legislative process would be too slow. But its recent use has raised questions about whether some situations might truly qualify as emergencies, or if the government...

Italy’s recent Emergency Decree has placed new limits on minor children applying for Italian citizenship by descent, even when their parent or grandparent was born in Italy. The new rules have raised serious concerns about family unity and constitutional rights, with discussions underway in Parliament that could lead to changes allowing minors to be included more easily in Italian citizenship appl...

The Italian government’s 2025 Tajani emergency decree introduced major changes to Italian citizenship by descent, accompanied by a detailed 40-page document outlining the legal justification behind the move. While intended to strengthen the decree’s position in Parliament, the document has raised concerns around retroactivity, discrimination, and how the new rules impact those pursuing Italian dua...

Signing up for healthcare in Italy involves a few important steps and depends on your residency status, but the system is designed to be accessible for both citizens and eligible foreigners. Whether you’re settling in for the long term or just planning a short stay, understanding how to navigate the local healthcare offices, what documents are required, and what kind of coverage you can expect is...

Renewing your Italian passport as a citizen living in Italy involves more than just filling out a form—it can depend on where you live, which local offices are authorized, and what identification you have on hand. While the general steps might seem familiar, there are some key differences compared to renewing from abroad, and a few potential hurdles to be aware of before beginning the process. In...