A study suggests that approximately 1.4 million individuals may be eligible for Italian citizenship if a referendum is successfully passed.
A significant number of non-EU residents stand to gain Italian citizenship if an upcoming referendum on easing naturalization laws passes, according to various sources. Approximately 1.42 million non-EU residents could qualify for Italian citizenship should voters approve the reform, as stated in a recent study[1].
Currently, non-EU nationals must prove they have legally resided in Italy for at least ten years to apply for citizenship. The proposed reform would halve this requirement, allowing non-EU citizens to apply after five years of legal residency.
The study suggests that nearly 1.14 million adults and 229,000 minors would immediately qualify for Italian citizenship if the reform passed. Additionally, an estimated 55,000 minors might automatically acquire citizenship following their parents' naturalization.
Notably, the study's figures exclude non-EU nationals whose countries do not allow dual citizenship and EU citizens who can already apply for naturalization after four years of residency[1]. Furthermore, up to 700,000 non-EU residents may not meet the new income requirements for citizenship by residency[1].
As with all referendums in Italy, voter turnout above 50% is required for the result to be valid[2]. Historically, referendum voter turnout has been low in Italy[2]. Some experts speculate that the upcoming referendum might not reach this quorum[2].
Italian media have expressed concerns about a potentially high abstention rate, as members of the ruling hard-right coalition have publicly called on supporters to boycott the vote[2]. Critics argue that the calls to abstain from voting undermine citizen participation in public life[2].
[1] Source: unspecified study[2] Source: various Italian news reports
- If the Italian referendum on easing naturalization laws passes, approximately 1.42 million non-EU residents could qualify for Italian citizenship, according to a recent study.
- The proposed policy-and-legislation change would allow non-EU citizens to apply for Italian citizenship after five years of legal residency, instead of the current ten years.
- Meloni, a key figure in Italy's politics, has not yet publicly stated her stance on the upcoming referendum on citizenship by residency.
- Some general-news outlets have reported that up to 700,000 non-EU residents may not meet the new income requirements for Italian citizenship by residency, should the referendum pass.
- The EU has not yet announced any official policy regarding the potential impact of Italian citizenship reform on the residency status of non-EU citizens living in Italy.
