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The Italian ERV as a path to Citizenship in 2 years

Updated: Jul 6


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🇮🇹 Italy’s 2-Year Residency Path to Citizenship

As of May 2025, Italy’s Law No. 74/2025 introduced a new 2-year residency path to citizenship for non-EU citizens with an Italian parent or grandparent. If you have a direct Italian-born ancestor, you can apply for Italian citizenship after 2 years of continuous legal residence in Italy — much faster than the usual 10 years for other non-EU nationals.


✅ Who Qualifies?

To qualify for this new 2-year path, you must:

  1. Have a parent or grandparent born in Italy.

  2. Either:

    • Your parent lived in Italy for 2 consecutive years before your birth, or

    • Your parent or grandparent was born in Italy.


🏠 How the ERV Works as a Pathway

✅ The ERV is a long-term visa for financially independent individuals who want to live in Italy without working.✅ Once you arrive in Italy with the ERV, you apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days.✅ This permit allows you to live legally in Italy and start counting your residency period.✅ As long as you stay continuously in Italy for 2 years (registered with the same Italian comune), you can then apply for citizenship under the new 2-year rule.


📋 Example Scenario

  • You have an Italian grandparent born in Italy.

  • You obtain an ERV and move to Italy in June 2025.

  • You apply for your Permesso right after arrival and register your residency with the local comune.

  • You live in Italy without breaks longer than 6 months and maintain your legal status for 2 years.

  • By mid-2027, you become eligible to apply for Italian citizenship via the 2-year residency rule.


⚠️ Important Considerations

  • You must have continuous legal residence — leaving Italy for more than 6 months can reset your eligibility.

  • Your registration with the local comune is crucial — it must remain uninterrupted for 2 years.

  • Even though you’re eligible to apply after 2 years, you’ll still need to provide documentation and meet other naturalization requirements (like Italian language level B1).


🔁 Summary Table

Requirement

ERV + 2-Year Citizenship Path

Long-stay visa to legally reside

✅ ERV

2 years of uninterrupted residency

✅ Via Permesso & Comune registration

Italian parent/grandparent

✅ Required

Application after 2 years

✅ Eligible for citizenship

💡 Bottom Line

✅ The ERV is a great option for financially independent descendants of Italian parents or grandparents who want to use the new 2-year citizenship by residency path.✅ If you meet the ancestral requirements and secure the ERV, you’re on track for Italian citizenship in just 2 years — provided you remain continuously registered and meet all naturalization conditions.


👉 Ready to get started?If you’d like personalized support with your Elective Residence Visa application, confirming your eligibility for the 2-year citizenship path, or crafting the strongest application possible, book a consultation with us today! We’re here to help you navigate every step with confidence.



 
 
 

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Disclaimer: Tony Carenzo and/or agents representing Italian Dual Citizenship Assistance are not attorneys, and therefore, are not permitted to give legal advice. Your claim to Italian dual citizenship is subject to the laws and policies of the Italian government and any applicable governing agencies, whether located in Italy or the United States. We offer a service to help you navigate the process only and cannot guarantee (1.) the speed at which any documents you request from any outside agency or government are received, processed, and/or received back by you, (2.) the speed at which your application will be received and/or processed by any outside agency or government, and/or the timeline in which you receive a response or related documentation, or (3.) that you will qualify for Italian citizenship or Italian dual citizenship, and we make no promises or claims to the contrary. 

© 2025 by Italian Dual Citizenship Assistance

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