Italian citizenship in 5 years might be possible in the near future if the proposed “citizenship referendum” is passed with a voting result of 50 percent.
The citizenship referendum initiative and petition have finally received 647,442 signatures. The set aside minimum signature requirement was set at 500,000. This means the partition has been successful and the citizenship referendum can be called upon in the country.
Furthermore, if the citizenship referendum is passed with a 50 percent success result, almost 2.5 million people (minor people living with their families) may benefit from it. Once the referendum is successful, Italy will stand with countries such as Germany, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the UK which offer naturalization in the time period of 5 years.
The opposition MP Riccardo Magi, from the left-leaning party Più Europa, announced on social media on 24 September:
We did it! In just a few days 500,000 citizens signed up for the #CitizenshipReferendum.
What is a citizenship referendum?
The current citizenship law states that a foreigner living legally in Italy can get citizenship after staying for at least 10 years. This citizenship referendum proposal aims to reduce that time to 5 years, which was the rule before 1992 and is the norm in several other EU countries. This is why there was a partition for the online signature collection from 6 to 30 September 2024. The Italian citizens were allowed to sign it online.
How the referendum will be conducted?
As stated by Euronews, to initiate the referendum, the request must first be approved by Italy’s two highest courts. Additionally, at least 50 percent of eligible voters must participate for the referendum results to be valid.
If approved, the referendum could take place in 2025, as reported by Reuters. However, recent referendums have had difficulty reaching the 50 percent voter turnout needed, meaning supporters will need to keep advocating until the possible vote.
General requirements of Italian citizenship
The applicant for Italian citizenship must comply with the following requirements to be naturalized:
| Requirement for Citizenship | Details |
| Residence Duration | Knowledge of the Italian Language |
| Knowledge of Italian Language | must demonstrate knowledge of the Italian language |
| Economic Sources | Must have sufficient economic means to support oneself |
| Professional Suitability | Must show appropriate professional qualifications or skills |
| Tax Compliance | Must comply with all tax obligations |
| Security Clearance | Must not have any issues that could pose a threat to the security of the Republic |