Citizenship
One of the Ministry of Interior's major assignments is handling applications for citizenship. Applicants may be both foreign nationals married with Italian citizens and foreign nationals residing in Italy.
Italian citizenship is mainly based on “ius sanguinis” (right of blood), according to which a child born to an Italian mother or father is Italian; at present the issue of citizenship is governed by law no. 91 of 5th February 1992.
Italian citizenship is based on the following principles:
• Citizenship can be transmitted by descent “iure sanguinis”
• Acquisition “iure soli” (by birth on the territory) in given cases
• Dual citizenship is recognised
• Explicit statement of will is necessary to acquire or loose citizenship.
