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Starting from data referring to 2012, Istat produces estimates that provide information on the individual characteristics of those acquiring Italian citizenship (previous citizenship, gender, age), on the province and the methods of acquisition. These estimates are also used to provide Eurostat with the data required under Regulation 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection. The data are processed from a broad set of information consisting of: a) the administrative data on citizenship oaths and grants managed by the Ministry of the Interior, b) the National Registry of Resident Population, c) data on registrations and cancellations from population registers.

Acquisitions of Italian citizenship

Acquisitions of Italian citizenship: the term citizenship indicates the relationship between an individual and the State; the legal system links to this status the fullness of civil and political rights. Italian citizenship is based on iure sanguinis: a person acquires Italian citizenship when born of a father or a mother who are Italian citizens (or adopted). Foreigners can acquire Italian citizenship through different types of procedures:

• Acquisition by residence (art.9 law 91/92): an adult immigrant can obtain the acquisition by residence if he has legally and continuously resided in the territory for at least ten years. The term is only five years for refugees and stateless persons and only four years for EU citizens.
• Acquisition by marriage (art.5 law 91/92): citizenship can be granted by marriage, in the presence of the following requirements: the applicant, foreigner or stateless person, must be married to an Italian citizen and have legally resided in Italy for at least two years from the celebration of the marriage.
• Acquisition by transmission from parents (as a result of parents’ naturalization): the minor children of whoever acquires or reacquires Italian citizenship, if they live with him, acquire Italian citizenship; they can renounce it, whenever become adults, if in possession of another citizenship (art. 14 law 91/92).
• Acquisition of citizenship for those born in Italy (citizenship choice): the foreigner born in Italy, who has legally resided in the country without interruption until reaching the age of majority, can declare that he wishes to elect Italian citizenship within one year from the aforementioned date (art.4, c.2). This declaration must be made to the Civil Status Officer of the Municipality of residence.
• Acquisition by descent (according to the ius sanguinis criterion): the child of parents who are Italian citizens is an Italian citizen (art.1 law 91/92), even if the birth took place abroad. From this derives that descendants of Italian emigrants are declared Italian citizens by filiation. The fact that neither the applicant nor the ancestors have ever renounced Italian citizenship is a fundamental pre-condition.

Citizenship: legal bond between an individual and the State to which he or she belongs. It grants rights and establish duties. It is possible to acquire the Italian citizenship by birth or naturalization, by transmission, option, marriage or other methods provided for by national legislation.