Law No. 74/2025 introducing the possibility, in certain cases and for a limited period, for former Italian citizens residing abroad to reacquire Italian citizenship. The re-acquisition is carried out by submitting a declaration, which must be made in person before the competent Consular Officer.
Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025 converting Decree-Law 36/2025 has amended Article 17, paragraph 1, of Law No. 91/1992, has reopened the window for the reacquisition of Italian citizenship in favour of former Italian citizens who were born in Italy or who have resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years, and who lost their citizenship no later than August 15, 1992 under the provisions of Article 8, numbers 1 and 2, or Article 12 of Law No. 555 of 1912 (naturalization in a foreign country, renunciation of citizenship due to the involuntary acquisition of foreign citizenship, or minor children living with a parent who lost citizenship).
This reacquisition option does not apply to those who renounced Italian citizenship (or lost it for other reasons) starting from August 16, 1992.
Declarations for reacquisition may be submitted between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.
The declaration must be made by the individual personally.
EFFECTS OF RE-ACQUISITION
The declaration of re-acquisition has no retroactive effect: Italian citizenship is reacquired starting from the day after the declaration is made at the consular authority.
TRANSMISSION OF CITIZENSHIP TO DESCENDANTS
With the entry into force of the new legislation, reacquiring citizenship does not automatically confer citizenship to the children of the applicant, even if they are minors, cohabiting, and residing abroad. This applies, of course, also to adult children.
DEADLINE FOR RE-ACQUISITION
The declaration of re-acquisition, complete with the required documentation, can be submitted between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.
WHO CAN REACQUIRE ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP
To reacquire Italian citizenship, both of the following conditions must be met:
- You must have been born in Italy, or—if born abroad—have resided in Italy for at least two continuous years;
- You must have lost Italian citizenship before August 16, 1992.
COST OF THE PROCEDURE (CONSULAR FEE)
A consular fee of 250 Euros, payable in Canadian dollars, is required (see Article 7C of the Table of Consular Fees). Payment is accepted only in Canadian dollars and only in cash or money order made payable to the Consulate General of Italy. Please check the current Table of Consular Fees for the exact amount.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO APPLY TO REACQUIRE
NOTE: The Consulate does not return submitted documentation.
- Reacquisition application form, filled out
- If born in Italy: Certified extract of the birth record (not a simple birth certificate), issued by the Italian municipality of birth. (Note 1)
- If born abroad (replaces point 2): 3a) Certified extract of the foreign birth record (Note 2), duly apostilled and translated by the competent consulate AND 3b) Historical residency certificate from the last Italian municipality of residence (Note 1)
- In all cases: Historical certificate of citizenship (Note 1) issued by the Italian municipality of birth or last residence.
- In all cases: Foreign naturalization certificate, duly apostilled and translated (Note 3). If the applicant was a minor at the time of naturalization, they must also submit the naturalization certificates of their Italian-born parents, also duly apostilled and translated. (Click here for more info). Note: Until March 9, 1975, adulthood in Italy was reached at age 21.
- In all cases: Photocopy of Canadian passport, driver’s license (or other document—e.g., utility bill—proving residential address); any Italian ID, even if expired.
NOTES
(1) For requesting Italian certificates, you may use this certificate request template to send to the relevant municipality.
(2) The Canadian (or other foreign) birth record extract must be in “Certified Copy of Registration” format. “Wallet-size” certificates are not valid for transcription and will not be accepted. All Canadian or foreign certificates must be apostilled and translated into Italian. (Click here for more info)
(3) A notarized certified copy (apostilled and translated) of the full Canadian citizenship certificate (long form) must include the following mandatory details:
A. Name(s)
B. Surname*
C. Date of birth
D. Date (day, month, year) of the grant of Canadian citizenship**
* For married women, if the certificate only shows a married surname, a marriage certificate (issued in Canada or other countries) must also be presented in “certified copy of registration” format (or similar official document), apostilled and translated. Religious certificates are not accepted.
**If your certificate of Canadian citizenship does not include all required details (A–D) you may add:
a) a “wallet-size” certificate of Canadian citizenship certificate with the missing data, in notarized certified copy, duly apostilled and translated. (Click here for more info)
OR
b) Alternatively, you may submit a “Search of Citizenship Records” or the results of an “Access to Information” request. These too must be apostilled and translated. (Click here for more info)
HOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION, OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT, AND PAY THE CONSULAR FEE
IMPORTANT: The Consulate does not provide consultations or guidance on citizenship matters, including re-acquisition.
Under Law 74/2025, it is the applicant’s responsibility to submit all required documentation, as detailed in these guidelines. Only these guidelines should be referred to.
The Consulate will not respond to inquiries (other than automatic replies with links to the official website).
Once you have gathered all required documents:
1) Email ricezione.vancouver@esteri.it the scanned reacquisition application form and a scan of your govt. issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license). In the subject line write “Domanda di riacquisto della cittadinanza”. The email should indicate: “I am attaching my application as stated in the subject, along with the required documents. Name(s) and Surname” (maiden surname for married women). Do not send requests for information or consultations: the office will not respond.
2) You’ll receive an automatic reply confirming receipt of your application, along with a recommendation to create a profile on the Prenot@mi online booking portal (just the profile—no booking required yet).
3) The office will schedule an appointment via Prenot@mi, for the earliest available date starting from July 1, 2025 (first working day: July 2). Priority is given to those with a created profile. You must appear in person at the Vancouver Consulate with all of the required original documents to pay the consular fee. Appointment details will be sent by automated email from the Prenot@mi portal. Check your spam folder daily.
4) On the appointment day, after paying the non-refundable fee, the process proceeds as follows:
4a) If your documents are complete and compliant, you will make the declaration of reacquisition before a consular officer
OR
4b) If documents are incomplete or incorrect, you will receive a preliminary rejection notice with a deadline and instructions to correct the application.
Failing to meet the deadline will result in permanent rejection of the application.
Last update: 2025/07/03