Court Approves Referendum to Halve Italian Naturalization Time

Marco Mesina
Milan

Italy’s Constitutional Court has approved a referendum that could significantly alter the country’s naturalization process.

The measure aims to reduce the residency requirement for non-EU citizens seeking Italian citizenship from ten to five years.

Officials expect the vote to take place between April and June 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s naturalization policy.

The Current Naturalization Process

The current Law No. 91 of 1992 mandates a ten-year legal residency period before non-EU citizens can apply for citizenship.

This requirement ranks among Europe’s most stringent naturalization policies, contrasting sharply with Spain and Portugal’s five-year requirements or France’s two-to-five-year timeline.

Proponents of the referendum argue that the ten-year residency rule is outdated and does not reflect modern migration patterns.

They point out that many countries in the European Union (EU) have shorter residency requirements for citizenship applications.

Spain and Portugal, for example, require only five years, while France allows naturalization after two to five years, depending on individual circumstances.

A grassroots campaign gathered over 500,000 signatures to initiate the referendum. The Constitutional Court’s Judgment No. 11/2025 confirmed the referendum’s legal validity while preserving other citizenship criteria, including B1-level Italian proficiency and absence of criminal records.

Supporters claim that halving the residency requirement would help integrate immigrants more quickly and align Italy’s policies with those of other European nations.

Constitutional Court’s Ruling

On January 20, 2025, the Italian Constitutional Court ruled on the referendum’s admissibility.

In Judgment No. 11/2025, the Court declared that the referendum question was clear, homogeneous, and legally sound.

The ruling emphasized that the proposed change only affects the required residency period and does not modify other criteria, such as:

• Language proficiency (B1 level in Italian remains a requirement).
• Continuous and legal residence in the country.
• Absence of criminal records or security concerns.

By approving the referendum, the Court effectively opened the door for Italian voters to decide on the matter.

The government must now schedule a national vote, which many expect to take place between April 15 and June 15, 2025.

Implications of the Referendum

If the referendum passes, it will have far-reaching consequences for Italy’s immigration and citizenship framework.

The most considerable impacts include:

A More Accessible Path to Citizenship

Reducing the residency requirement to five years would align Italy with other European countries and facilitate the naturalization of long-term foreign residents.

This change could benefit an estimated 2.5 million foreign residents, including many who have already lived and worked in Italy for several years.

Potential Economic and Social Benefits

Proponents argue that granting citizenship earlier would encourage economic participation, social cohesion, and political engagement among immigrants.

Studies suggest that countries with shorter residency requirements often see higher levels of integration and stronger contributions from foreign-born citizens.

Political Debate and Public Opinion

The referendum has sparked political controversy, as right-wing parties oppose the measure, arguing that it could lead to mass naturalizations and potential abuse of the system.

On the other hand, progressive and centrist groups believe that streamlining the citizenship process is essential for Italy’s aging population and workforce challenges.

The Role of Precedents in Citizenship Laws

If successful, this referendum could set a precedent for future reforms in Italian nationality law, potentially influencing policies on jus soli (citizenship by birthright) and dual nationality regulations.

What Happens Now?

The referendum will take place in the first half of 2025, but its success depends on two key factors:

• Voter turnout: For the referendum to be valid, at least 50% + 1 of eligible voters must participate.
• Majority approval: If a majority of valid votes support the measure, the new five-year residency rule will become law.

The campaign period in the coming months will be crucial as political parties, civil society groups, and legal experts debate the referendum’s potential outcomes.

This citizenship referendum is shaping up to be one of the most consequential votes in recent Italian history. By cutting the residency requirement in half, Italy could take a step toward a more modernized naturalization system.

However, as with any major legal reform, the path forward will depend on public opinion, political negotiations, and voter engagement. The coming months will reveal whether Italy is ready for this consequential shift in its approach to citizenship.