Italy is preparing for a major vote that could redefine who gets to call themselves Italian. On June 8–9, 2025, voters across the country will participate in a national referendum on Italian citizenship laws, specifically targeting legislation that has made it harder for immigrants and long-term residents to become citizens.

If successful, the citizenship referendum could accelerate the timeline to obtain Italian citizenship, especially for children born in Italy to foreign parents. It may also open the door to new pathways for expats and foreign nationals who wish to transition from residency to full citizenship in less time.

Understanding the Current Pathways to Italian Citizenship

For non-EU nationals who move to Italy, the standard pathway from residency to Italian citizenship is long and bureaucratically intensive. As of 2025, the main routes include:

• Citizenship by Residency (Naturalization): Requires a minimum of 10 years of legal, uninterrupted residence in Italy for non-EU nationals (4 years for EU nationals, and only 5 years for stateless persons or refugees).
• Citizenship by Marriage: Foreign spouses of Italian citizens may apply after 2 years of marriage while residing in Italy (or 3 years if living abroad), provided they meet language and legal criteria.
• Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis): For those with Italian ancestry, citizenship can be claimed through lineage. You can explore this process and the recent 2025 updates to claiming ancestry by descent in Italy in this article.
• Citizenship by Birth (Jus Soli): Currently not available in Italy except in rare cases. Children born in Italy to foreign parents must wait until age 18 to apply—only if they’ve lived in Italy continuously.

This framework puts Italy behind countries like Portugal and France, which allow residents to apply for citizenship after just 5 years.

What the 2025 Referendum Proposes

The June 2025 Italian citizenship referendum aims to repeal restrictive provisions from a 2018 law that made naturalization more difficult. If passed, the vote would clear the way for Parliament to consider citizenship law reform, including:

• Conditional Jus Soli: Granting citizenship to children born in Italy after attending school for 5 years.
• Reduced Naturalization Timeline: Allowing long-term residents to apply for citizenship after 5 years instead of 10.
• Improved Processing: Faster citizenship application times and reduced bureaucracy.

This reform would bring Italy in line with European Union norms and make it more attractive to expats, families, and remote workers seeking a long-term future in the country.

How This Affects Expats and Long-Term Residents

For globally mobile individuals and families relocating to Italy, these reforms could dramatically shorten the path to citizenship. Here’s how timelines could change:

If you’re considering a move, check out this overview on how to relocate to Italy and explore immigration options like the Elective Residency Visa or Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Italy’s restrictive citizenship policy has excluded nearly one million children born and raised in the country from legal recognition. Many speak only Italian, attend Italian schools, and identify as culturally Italian—yet remain legally foreign.

This referendum represents a pivotal moment to acknowledge their reality and begin to shape a more inclusive Italian society.

What Happens Next?

To be valid, the referendum must reach a 50% voter turnout threshold. If it passes, Italian lawmakers will face pressure to enact legislation that:

• Reduces the timeline for naturalization;
• Establishes clearer paths for children born in Italy;
• Simplifies the citizenship process for long-term residents.

Whether you're planning to retire, work remotely, or invest in property, this moment may reshape your long-term opportunities in Italy.

Need Support with Your Relocation?

David Cantor is an immigration lawyer and dual US-Italian national. He has supported hundreds of families and individuals with their relocation goals throughout the world. He currently resides in Florence, Italy with his family.