Understand the costs associated with applying for Italian citizenship by marriage, naturalization, or investment, including application fees and investment amounts.
Applying for Italian citizenship involves various costs, depending on the pathway you choose: marriage, naturalization, or investment. Below is a detailed breakdown of the expenses associated with each method:
1. Citizenship by Marriage:
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Application Fee:
The fee for applying for Italian citizenship through marriage is €250. -
Additional Costs:
You may incur expenses for obtaining and legalizing required documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, and for language proficiency tests to demonstrate B1-level Italian proficiency.
2. Citizenship by Naturalization:
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Application Fee:
The application fee for citizenship by naturalization is €300. -
Additional Costs:
Similar to the marriage pathway, additional expenses may include costs for document procurement and legalization, language proficiency certification, and any legal assistance you might seek.
3. Citizenship by Investment:
Italy does not offer direct citizenship by investment. However, the Italian Investor Visa program provides a pathway to residency, which can lead to citizenship through naturalization after meeting specific residency requirements. The investment options are:
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Innovative Startups:
Invest a minimum of €250,000 in an innovative startup. -
Italian Companies:
Invest at least €500,000 in an Italian company. -
Government Bonds:
Invest €2 million in Italian government bonds. -
Philanthropic Contribution:
Make a €1 million donation to a public-interest project.
Additional Considerations:
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Legal and Administrative Fees:
Engaging legal professionals or consultants to assist with the application process will incur additional costs. -
Document Translation and Legalization:
Documents issued outside Italy may need to be translated into Italian and legalized, which involves further expenses. -
Language Proficiency Certification:
Demonstrating B1-level proficiency in Italian may require enrolling in language courses and paying for certification exams.
Conclusion:
The cost of applying for Italian citizenship varies based on the chosen pathway:
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Marriage: €250 application fee, plus additional expenses.
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Naturalization: €300 application fee, plus additional expenses.
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Investment: Minimum investment of €250,000, with no direct application fee for citizenship, but significant financial commitments and associated costs.
It's essential to budget for these expenses and consider additional costs related to document preparation, legal assistance, and language certification when planning your application.