Yes, you can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage while living abroad, provided you meet the marriage duration and language proficiency requirements.
Yes, you can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage even if you don’t live in Italy. The process is available to spouses of Italian citizens residing abroad, but specific requirements must be met to ensure eligibility. Here’s how the process works:
1. Marriage Duration Requirement:
The length of time you must be married to an Italian citizen depends on whether you and your spouse have children:
-
Standard Requirement:
If you are living abroad, you must be married for 3 years before applying for Italian citizenship. -
Reduction for Children:
If you and your spouse have biological or adopted children together, the required marriage duration is reduced to 1.5 years.
2. Registration of Marriage in Italy:
Your marriage must be officially registered with the Italian government, regardless of where it took place. To ensure compliance:
-
Marriage Registration:
If you were married outside Italy, ensure your marriage is registered with the Comune (municipality) where your spouse is registered in Italy. -
Marriage Certificate:
Obtain an official copy of the marriage certificate from the Comune, which will be required for your citizenship application.
3. Language Proficiency Requirement:
Italian law requires spouses applying for citizenship to demonstrate B1-level proficiency in Italian, even if living abroad. To meet this requirement, you must:
- Submit a Language Certificate:
Provide proof of B1-level proficiency from an accredited institution, such as CELI, CILS, PLIDA, or CERT.IT. - Educational Exemption:
If you studied in Italian or attended school in Italy, you may be exempt from this requirement by providing proof of education.
4. Criminal Record Certificate:
As part of your application, you must submit clean criminal record certificates from:
- Your Country of Birth:
Provide a police clearance certificate. - All Countries of Residence:
Include certificates from every country where you have lived since the age of 14.
These documents must be translated into Italian and legalized or apostilled, depending on the issuing country.
5. Application Process for Applicants Living Abroad:
To apply for Italian citizenship by marriage while living abroad, follow these steps:
- Submit Application Online:
Complete your application through the Italian Ministry of the Interior’s online portal. - Provide Required Documents:
Upload all required documents, including your marriage certificate, language proficiency certificate, criminal record certificates, and passport copy. - Consular Review:
Your application will be processed by the Italian consulate responsible for your country of residence.
6. Processing Time:
Applications for citizenship by marriage can take 2 to 4 years to process, depending on the consulate’s workload and the completeness of your application.
7. Key Considerations:
- Marriage Duration Compliance:
Ensure you meet the required marriage duration before applying. - Language Certification:
Prepare your language proficiency certificate in advance. - Document Accuracy:
Ensure all documents are complete, translated, and legalized.
8. Conclusion:
If you don’t live in Italy, you can still apply for Italian citizenship by marriage after being married for 3 years (or 1.5 years if you have children). Ensure your marriage is registered in Italy, meet the language proficiency requirement, and submit all required documents through the Italian consulate. With proper preparation, you can successfully complete the process.