ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP
The following FAQs reflect the most common cases in Australia. Each individual case, even if based on general rules and principles could differ according to an individual's personal situation. There are, sometimes, exceptions and particular rules that are not considered in this section.
For personalized information, you should contact the Consulate in person bearing as much documentation as possible.
Q: How do I know if I am eligible for Italian citizenship?
A: Italian citizenship is based on the principle of "ius sanguinis" (blood right) by virtue of which a baby born from an Italian father or mother (depending on the year of birth of the child) is an Italian citizen.
Q: My father was born in Italy and moved to Australia before I was born. He also became Australian citizen. Am I still eligible for Italian citizenship?
A: Cases like yours are not always black and white, as there could be a possibility that you are eligible and another that you are not. If your father became an Australian citizen as an adult or, as a child included in his parents' naturalization, then you would not be eligible because you were born from a parent who was no longer an Italian citizen at the time of your birth. However, if your father was still and Italian citizen at the time of his marriage to your mother but not at the time of your birth, then, depending on the date of your parents' marriage, you may still be eligible.
Q: My grandparents moved to Australia many years ago. My father was born in Australia. Am I eligible for Italian citizenship?
A: Citizenship may be passed on from generation to generation without limitation - but there can be no geration gap. To be eligible for Italian citizenship you must prove that your father born to an Italian citizen, i.e., that your grandfather had not acquired Australian citizenship before the birth of your father. If you are looking at your grandmother as the holder of citizenship at the time of your father's birth, you have to take into consideration that women can only bequeath Italian citizenship to children born from the 1st of January 1948 (the birth of the Italian Constitution). Prior to this date, Italian citizenship was passed on only by the father.
Q: I was born in Italy and I moved to Australia with my parents when I was a child. My
faher became an Australian citizen while I was under age. Am I still an Italian citizen?
A: If your father became an Australian citizen and did not include you in his naturalization certificate, and nor did your mother, then, unless you have become an Australian citizen in your own right, there is a good chance that you are still an Italian citizen. The Department of Immigration Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (D.I.M.I.A.) is the Authority competent for the keeping of such records. If you are not sure of your current citizenship status, D.I.M.I.A,. can do a search of their records and issue you with a Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status from which they will be able to ascertain if you are still an Italian citizen or not.
Q: I married an Italian gentleman. Am I eligible for Italian Citizenship?
A: If your marriage was celebrated before the 27th April 1983, then you have acquired Italian citizenship automatically at the date of marriage. If you were married after the said date, then you are not eligible for citizenship automatically, but would have to request to become an Italian citizen by naturalization on the basis of marriage. Request for citizeship may be lodged only after 3 years of marriage if you reside overseas or 6 months of marriage if you reside in Italy.
Q: I have lost my Italian citizenship because I obtained the Australian citizenship before the 16th of August 1992. How can I regain Italian citizenship?
A: Former Italian citizens can regain Italian citizenship in two different ways:
a) automatically after one year of legal and effective residence in Italy;
b) by signing a declaration in which they state their intention to regain Italian citizenship and within 1 year of signing the declaration they will rteturn to reside in Italy.
In both cases the essential factor which will enable reacquisition of citizenship is legal residence in Italy. The relevant paperwork will be completed by the chosen Municipality (Comune) in Italy, once they have ascertained residency status of the applicant.
Q: I am a dual citizen, Italian and Australian. Does the possession of the Italian ciizenship affect my situation as an Australian citizen?
A: The possession of Italian citizenship by descendant does not affect your position as an Australian citizen. Now-a-days, since the Australian Citizenship Act was changed in April 2002, Australian citizens are allowed to hold dual citizenship even by naturalization.
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