An IMGW New Report
Campaigners in Italy have gathered the necessary signatures to propose a referendum aimed at reducing the residency requirement for citizenship from ten years to five. This initiative has now reached the stage where it will be debated in Parliament. If approved, it could affect up to 2.5 million foreign residents, many of whom have already lived in Italy for more than five years.
The current government, led by Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, strongly opposes the proposed change. Meloni has previously stated that the existing ten-year residency requirement is reasonable and there is no need to alter the law.
“According to Eurostat, 22 per cent of people aged 15 to 74 in the EU are either foreign-born or descendants of foreign-born individuals, illustrating the significant demographic impact of migration.”
For the referendum to proceed, it must be approved by Italy’s two highest courts. Even then, a minimum voter turnout of 50 percent would be required for the referendum results to be valid.
Currently, the law does not allow even those born in Italy to foreign parents to apply for citizenship until they turn 18. However, if their parents gain Italian citizenship, the children are automatically granted citizenship as well. The last significant changes to Italy’s citizenship law date back to the 1990s, despite several attempts at reform since.
Foreigners married to Italian citizens can apply for citizenship after two years of residency. The growing migrant population across the European Union, driven by factors such as labour shortages and asylum seekers, has put pressure on governments to address migration-related issues, including citizenship. According to Eurostat, 22 percent of people aged 15 to 74 in the EU are either foreign-born or descendants of foreign-born individuals, illustrating the significant demographic impact of migration.
If you find the above article of interest, we recommend you also read the following IMGW News reports:
- Italy’s Citizenship Reform: Cutting the Wait and Paving a New Path for Migrants
- La Dolce Visa: Italy’s Digital Nomad Adventure doesn’t come easy
