Citizenship referendum

Translated by Giulia Maffeis

The citizenship referendum, promoted by +Europa and supported by numerous associations and parties, wants to reduce the period of continuous legal residency required to apply for Italian citizenship from 10 to 5 years. Once citizenship is obtained, it would automatically be granted to the applicant's minor children. The referendum is aiming to modify Article 9 of Law No. 91 of 1992, which primarily regulates Italian citizenship based on ius sanguinis (right of blood). Currently, citizenship is granted at birth only if one of the parents is an Italian citizen, while for foreigners, a 10-year residency period is required.

The referendum is seeking to return the residency requirement to 5 years, as it was before 1992, and align it with the laws of many other EU countries. If approved, this proposal would affect approximately 2.5 million people legally residing in Italy, speeding up their access to citizenship and related rights, such as the right to vote or access to public sector jobs. Additionally, the referendum would bring Italy's citizenship laws in line with most European standards, as the current 10-year residency requirement is one of the strictest in the EU.

The necessary 500,000 signatures for the referendum were reached on September 30, 2024. +Europa's secretary, Riccardo Magi, announced the success of the signature collection campaign, acknowledging the efforts of the associations and social networks that supported the initiative.

The question will now be reviewed by the Court of Cassation for formal verification of the signatures, followed by the Constitutional Court, which will rule on the referendum's admissibility. If approved, the vote could take place between April and June 2025.

The referendum, in addition to halving the residency period, does not alter the other existing requirements for obtaining citizenship, which include knowledge of the Italian language, sufficient financial resources, being compliant with tax obligations, a clean criminal record, and adherence to national security laws. These criteria are considered essential to ensure adequate integration of applicants into Italian society.

Meanwhile, the debate on citizenship reform is also ongoing in Parliament. The Democratic Party has presented a bill that combines ius soli and ius scholae, allowing citizenship for those born in Italy or who complete at least five years of schooling. Forza Italia is also working on a proposal that involves a 10-year school attendance path but with fewer automatic provisions than the current law.

If approved, the referendum would align Italy's laws with those of many European countries, getting rid of one of the most restrictive citizenship laws in Europe. The success of the signature collection reflects widespread interest in a more inclusive reform that promotes the integration of long-term residents in Italy.

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