An IMGW News Report
Italy is considering a proposal to reform its citizenship law by shortening the residency requirement for foreign nationals from ten to five years.
The current law mandates that foreigners must live in Italy for at least 10 years before they can apply for citizenship, but the new proposal, backed by Forza Italia, seeks to reduce this to five years, returning to pre-1992 regulations. Additionally, some officials have suggested that completing 10 years of compulsory education in Italy should qualify individuals for citizenship.
The referendum needs 500,000 signatures by September 30 to be considered by Parliament, but as of now, only 19% of the required signatures have been collected. This reform could affect thousands of residents in Italy, including the 865,000 non-Italian students currently attending Italian schools. However, the proposal faces significant resistance, particularly from parties in the governing coalition, such as the Lega party, which does not view the issue as a priority.
Parallel to this, Italy’s Residence by Investment Programme – with its own set of rules – remains an attractive option for foreign investors. This programme grants residency in exchange for investments in Italian government bonds, shares, or public interest projects. Under the Investor Visa Programme, applicants must maintain the investment during the visa’s validity.
Alternatively, the Elective Residence Programme offers residency to individuals with stable foreign incomes. Permanent residence is possible after five years, provided the investor relocates to Italy. The process typically takes 90 to 120 days, with the requirement that investments are made within three months of entry into the country. The programme allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area and access to Italy’s healthcare and education systems.
If you wish to read more news about Italy’s Residency by Investment, we recommend checking out the following articles from IMGW:
- La Dolce Visa: Italy’s Digital Nomad Adventure doesn’t come easy
- One of Italy’s Finest
- End of an Era? London’s Financial Dominance and Parisian Chic Fade as Thousands of Millionaires Exit for Warmer, Tax-Friendly ‘Havens’
