Il decreto legge n. 113/2018

On the 26th November 2018, the Minister of the Interior at the time, Matteo Salvini, issued a new security decree (decreto di sicurezza). The decree was converted into law by Parliament a few months later.

The security decree, amongst other things, changes the necessary requirements to apply for citizenship via marriage and via naturalization. Citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is NOT affected by this decreto.

Effective December 4, 2018, all new applicants (existing applications before this date are NOT affected) for citizenship by marriage (jure matrimonio) and by resident naturalization must now meet an Italian language fluency requirement. Applicants must pass a language test and present a B1 (or greater) level certificate with their application for citizenship. The level of the language required to reach B1 is in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

The decreto also modified the amount of time the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are allotted to process your application. The original length was two (2) years from official receipt of your application and supporting materials. That period is now allowed to take up to four (4) years from the date of official receipt of all material.