Getting Italian citizenship as an American ranges from moderately difficult to very challenging depending on the path. Citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis) is generally straightforward but requires extensive document gathering and long waiting times (often years) for appointments. Naturalization through residency is very hard, taking up to 10 years and requiring proficiency in the Italian language.
Pros: All you need is time and an understanding of visa laws to gain naturalization status. Cons: It takes at least a decade of legally working and living in Italy under a visa to gain citizenship. The Italian government can also reject your application if they deem you a security risk of any kind.
Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date.
Yes, Italy still grants citizenship to Americans, but new laws effective in March 2025 significantly tightened eligibility for citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), primarily restricting claims to those with parents or grandparents born in Italy, effectively shutting out many descendants of great-grandparents or earlier, though applications filed before the deadline are processed under old rules. Americans can still qualify through marriage, residency in Italy, or establishing a lineage with an Italian-born ancestor (parent or grandparent).
Potential downsides of Italian dual citizenship
Tax Implications: Italy taxes residents on worldwide income, meaning if you spend more than 183 days per year in Italy, you may have to pay taxes there. However, a tax treaty between the U.S. and Italy helps prevent double taxation.
Yes, the Italian region of Tuscany has a program offering grants up to around $32,000 (€30,000) to help people move to and renovate homes in depopulated mountain areas, part of their "Residenzialità in Montagna 2024" initiative, aiming to revitalize these communities by covering up to 50% of purchase and renovation costs for properties in towns with under 5,000 residents, requiring you to make it your primary home.
Regardless of the path taken, dual citizenship creates ongoing tax obligations – US law requires citizens to file a tax return each year on worldwide income, even when living abroad or using a second passport.
There's a proposed bill in the U.S. Senate, the Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025, that aims to end dual citizenship by requiring Americans to have "sole and exclusive allegiance" to the U.S., potentially forcing millions to choose between their American and foreign nationalities within a year of the law's enactment, or risk losing their U.S. citizenship, though legal experts question its passage due to existing Supreme Court precedent.
Absence from U.S. territory
Normally, people who are not U.S. citizens may receive U.S. Social Security benefits while outside the U.S. only if they meet certain requirements. Under the agreement, however, you may receive benefits as long as you reside in Italy regardless of your nationality.
Under the new regulations, for applications submitted after March 27, 2025, Italian citizenship may be granted to an applicant whose parent is an Italian citizen born in Italy, or whose parent is an Italian citizen born abroad and who lived in Italy for a minimum of two consecutive years prior to the applicant's birth, ...
One of the most frequent and critical mistakes applicants make is submitting incorrect or incomplete documentation. The Italian government requires a comprehensive set of civil records—birth, marriage, death, and naturalization documents—for every generation linking the applicant to their Italian ancestor.
Passport of Italy. Rank = 3. Passport Index 2026. How powerful is yours?
The United States generally considers a person with dual U.S. and foreign citizenship a U.S. citizen for Social Security purposes. This does not apply if you are a U.S. citizen and a citizen of a country the United States has an international social security agreement with.
Claims of other countries upon U.S. dual-nationals may result in conflicting obligations under the laws of each country. U.S. dual nationals may also face restrictions in the U.S. consular protections available to U.S. nationals abroad, particularly in the country of their other nationality.
No, a U.S. citizen generally cannot be denied entry back into the United States, but they can face significant delays, extensive questioning, searches of belongings (including electronic devices), or even arrest if criminal issues are discovered during the process, especially with a valid U.S. passport. While a citizen has the right to enter, CBP can detain devices for deeper inspection under border search exceptions, though they can't force a password for a U.S. citizen.
Dual Citizenship at Birth
If you were born a dual citizen, you may be able to avoid the exit tax—but only if: You still hold citizenship in your other country at the time of expatriation. You have been a U.S. resident for no more than 10 of the last 15 years (as defined for tax purposes).
Dual citizens are required to fulfill income tax obligations in both the US and Italy. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Italy, on the other hand, taxes residents on their global income and non-residents on income sourced within Italy.
The city of Cumberland, Maryland, offers a relocation package of up to $20,000 (cash plus renovation/down payment match) to attract new residents, especially remote workers, to revitalize the area. While not a state, this specific city program within Maryland provides significant incentives, matching $10,000 cash with up to $10,000 for home improvements or new construction for those moving from outside Allegany County and committing to residency.
There are no restrictions on property ownership for non-residents. For those seeking to live in Italy long-term there are visa options, such as elective residence visas or work visas available.
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