The law of conversion of Decree-Law 36/2025 has modified article 17, paragraph 1, of Law n. 91/1992, allowing former citizens also resident abroad, in certain cases and for a limited period of time, to regain Italian citizenship by submitting a declaration. The following provides appropriate information on the regulatory innovations described.
Scope of application
The new Article 17, paragraph 1, of the Law n. 91/1992 applies if the following conditions are met:
a) the person concerned must be born in Italy or have been resident in Italy for at least two continuous years (this requirement was not foreseen in the original text, which applied from 16 August 1992 to 31 December 1997);
b) the person concerned has lost his nationality not later than 15 August 1992 in one of the following cases:
1) voluntarily acquired a foreign nationality not later than 15 August 1992 and established his residence abroad (Article 8, number 1°, of the law n. 555/1912);
2) having acquired a foreign nationality of his own volition, renounced Italian citizenship and established his residence abroad (article 8, number 2°, of the law n. 555/1912);
3) as a minor child who was not emancipated from the loss of citizenship, shared residence with his parent and acquired citizenship of a foreign state (Article 12 of Law No. 555/1912).
The new Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law no. 91/1992 does not apply in favour of:
– former citizens born abroad who have not been resident in Italy for at least two continuous years;
– who lost their citizenship after 15 August 1992 (for whatever reason);
– who has lost citizenship in the cases provided for by article 8, number 3° (he who, “having accepted employment from a foreign Government or having entered the military service of a foreign power, persists in it despite the intimation of the Italian Government to abandon the employment or service within a fixed period”);
– who has not exercised the option provided for in the second paragraph of Article 5 of Law No. 123/1983 (minor child, also adopted, of a citizen father or a citizen mother who, in case of dual citizenship, could opt for only one citizenship within one year of reaching the age of majority).
Terms
The declaration of purchase by the former citizen can be submitted between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2027.
The applicant for reacquisition must submit:
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A valid identity document issued by the authorities of the country of current citizenship;
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Birth certificate: if born abroad, it must be submitted in accordance with the requirements for registration in Italy, duly legalized and translated;
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For persons born abroad, a historical certificate of residence issued by the competent Italian Municipality;
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Historical certificate of citizenship;
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Documentation proving the cause and the date of the loss of citizenship (evidence must be provided of the acquisition of foreign citizenship and, where applicable, the renunciation of Italian citizenship: certificate of naturalization or, if required by local practice, a birth certificate accompanied by proof of citizenship and the legal basis on which it was acquired; documents issued by foreign authorities must be duly legalized and translated).
The declaration must be made by the applicant in person.
Where to request the service:
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By appearing in person at the Embassy of Italy in Panama, after booking an appointment for “Reacquisition of citizenship” through the Prenota@mi portal.