This section addresses the specific cases in which an individual who lost Italian citizenship due to specific regulations in force at the time, can now reacquire it, in accordance with the procedures established by law.
Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992, which came into force on August 16, 1992, established that the voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship no longer, in itself, entails the automatic loss of Italian citizenship, except in the case of formal renunciation pursuant to Article 11. However, losses of citizenship that occurred before August 16, 1992, under previous regulations, remain in effect. Furthermore, Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, temporarily reopened the terms for reacquiring Italian citizenship pursuant to Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992, in certain cases.
Depending on the applicant’s situation, reacquisition may occur according to one of the following procedures:
REACQUISITION PURSUANT TO ART. 13, PARAGRAPH 1, LETTER C), of LAW 91/1992
Former Italian citizens who lost their citizenship before August 16, 1992, and who intend to reacquire it may submit a declaration to the Consulate and transfer their permanent residence back to Italy within one year of the declaration, or may reacquire it after one year of legal residence in Italy.
REACQUISITION PURSUANT TO ART. 17, PARAGRAPH 1, LAW 91/1992
Former Italian citizens born in Italy or already resident in Italy for at least two consecutive years, who lost their citizenship no later than August 15, 1992, in certain specific cases provided for by Law No. 555/1912, can reacquire Italian citizenship. In this case, the application must be submitted from July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.
Effects on Minor Children
The reacquisition of citizenship by a parent does NOT automatically entail the acquisition of Italian citizenship by the cohabiting minor child.
Pursuant to Article 14 of Law No. 91/1992, as amended by Law No. 74/2025, the cohabiting minor child acquires Italian citizenship ONLY IF, on the date of reacquisition of Italian citizenship by the parent, he or she has already legally resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years, or if he or she is under the age of two, in which case the child acquires citizenship from birth.
Last update: April 15, 2026