Once you have acquired Italian dual citizenship, you have the ability to live in Italy and the broader EU without restrictions. This can be an exciting option for you, and potentially also your family, but what does it look like in practice? In this article, we discuss the practical steps involved in moving to Italy as a dual citizen as well as how this changes if you choose another EU country.
Moving to Italy
If you are planning to move to Italy, one of the first things you should do is narrow down the area you are looking for. Geographically, Italy offers options for virtually every taste. Rolling vineyards, coastal vistas from teetering clifftop towns, little towns nestled amongst snow-capped mountains and vibrant cities with skylines made unique by crenellated buildings, clock towers and domes, there is no shortage of places to make your new home, from north to south.
Renting and buying are both good options, and the former might be better if you are newer to the country and/or area and are more open to moving elsewhere in the future. Rental contracts in Italy are relatively standard, with one of the most common being a “4 x 4” (four years, with the option to add on another four years).
If you choose to purchase a house, you will not face the extra restrictions that some foreigners have to overcome. For example, you might not need to provide as much documentation and will not have to worry if your country does not share a reciprocity agreement.
Opening a bank account in Italy can similarly be much easier if you are an Italian citizen. You will also need a codice fiscale, or Italian tax code, which is needed for many aspects of life. To obtain one, all you need to do is show some basic documentation to your local Agenzia delle Entrate. You will also want to take advantage of Italy’s healthcare service, which requires being a registered resident of an Italian municipality. You can sign up for the national healthcare at your local Azienda Sanitaria Nazionale (ASL).
It is also recommended to get an Italian SIM card. Phone plans in Italy are generally quite cheap with access to a lot of data, and there are numerous providers you can choose from. Finally, you might also want an Italian driving license, depending on how often you plan to use a car. If you hold another EU license, it can be converted; unfortunately, American licenses cannot. In the case of the latter, you can drive on your American license if also accompanied by an international permit for only one year, after which you will need to pass the Italian driving exam, which consists of both theory and practical sections.
How are spouses affected?
If you have underage children, they will become Italian citizens when you do, though you must provide certified translations of their birth certificates when you file your citizenship application.
Regarding the non-Italian spouse, he or she will be allowed to move to Italy (or elsewhere in Europe) with you, so long as your Italian citizenship is secured. The spouse will not need to get a visa ahead of time, but will instead need to report their presence to the local authorities and apply for a residence card (permesso di soggiorno) within three months of arriving. It is also important that both spouses register as residents. If you later decide to move to another EU country, the non-EU spouse will need to do this process over again for the new country. After five years of continuous residency, the non-EU spouse will be eligible to apply for permanent residency. Finally, the non-EU spouse can apply for Italian citizenship by marriage after three years of marriage to an Italian citizen (if residing abroad) or after two years if residing in Italy. In both cases, this time is halved in case of having children.
Moving to another EU country
As an Italian citizen (and therefore a citizen of the European Union), you are free to live, work and study in other EU countries without any restrictions. This means you will not need to apply for a separate visa. As referenced above, however, you will need to report your presence soon after arrival and register your residence.
Purchasing property in another EU country
In most cases, as an EU citizen you can purchase property in any other EU country without restriction, whereas non-EU citizens might need to first apply for permission or face restrictions based on their country of origin. This said, some EU countries might have exceptions to be aware of. For example, Denmark only allows EU nationals to purchase property in the country without any restrictions if the property is to be used as a primary residence.
Services available to Italian residents of other EU countries
If you are an Italian citizen permanently residing in another EU country, you can enjoy almost all of the same benefits as a citizen of that country, aside from the right to vote. You can have access to their healthcare and can work and study in that country without any restrictions. As mentioned above, your non-EU spouse can join you too.
Taxes as a dual citizen
If you are a dual US-Italian citizen, it is important to know that, even if you reside permanently outside of the US, you will still need to file US taxes. The US does have a number of tax treaties in place, including with Italy, which prevent double taxation. It is important to speak to a qualified tax consultant to understand your particular situation and which taxes you owe.
The subject of moving to Europe as a new Italian dual citizen is an exciting topic, but also a broad one. This article has covered the most important points to be aware of, but it is also important to delve into these topics deeper for a more comprehensive understanding. If you need further help with the process, you can reach out to Italian Real Estate Lawyers online at or via email at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com.