HOW UKRAINIANS CAN OBTAIN ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP: REQUIREMENTS, DOCUMENTS, PROCESSING TIMES, AND WHY LEGAL SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL

Obtaining Italian citizenship is a complex process that requires accurate documentation, strict compliance with deadlines, and zero formal mistakes. For Ukrainian applicants, the procedure is especially sensitive because it involves the authorities of two countries — Italy and Ukraine.

On What Grounds Can a Ukrainian Citizen Apply for Italian Citizenship?

1. Citizenship by Marriage to an Italian Citizen

The application can be submitted:

• after 2 years of residence in Italy following the marriage;

• after 3 years, if the couple resides outside Italy.

The period is halved if the couple has children (biological or adopted).

2. Citizenship by Residency (Naturalization)

This is the most common route for Ukrainians.

Required conditions:

• 10 years of legal and continuous residence in Italy

• stable and sufficient income

• no criminal record in Italy or Ukraine

• compliance with administrative law

• social integration (including Italian language level B1)

  
  

3. Citizenship for Children

Children may be eligible if:

• born in Italy to a parent holding an EU long-term residence permit;

• have legally lived in Italy from birth until age 18.

  
  

What Documents Do Ukrainians Need to Submit?

Documents from Ukraine

(with apostille + certified Italian translation)

• birth certificate

• criminal record certificate (valid for 6 months)

• marriage/divorce certificate

• documents regarding name or surname changes

• any other relevant civil status documents

  
  

Most rejections are caused by translation errors, discrepancies in personal data, or missing apostilles.

Documents from Italy

• passport and residence permit

• historical residence certificate

• family status certificate

• income declarations for the last 3 years

• police certificates

• Italian language certificate (B1)

• payment of the €250 government fee

Can Lawyers Speed Up the Italian Citizenship Process?

The short answer: NO.

Citizenship is a fully governmental procedure that follows mandatory and non-negotiable steps:

• Prefecture

• Police Headquarters (Questura)

• Ministry of the Interior

  
  

No lawyer, consultant, or intermediary can:

• speed up the checks,

• shorten the official processing time,

• “know someone” to influence the system,

• interfere with state authorities.

  
  

BE CAREFUL AND DO NOT TRUST ANYONE WHO PROMISES SHORTCUTS OR FAST-TRACK SOLUTIONS — THEY ARE FALSE AND NOT LEGALLY POSSIBLE.

However, lawyers can do what truly affects timing in practice: prevent mistakes, respond to Prefecture requests, prepare a correct file, and ensure the procedure proceeds without avoidable delays.

Updated Processing Times for Italian Citizenship Applications

Under current law:

• 24 months — standard processing time

• up to 36 months — if additional checks are required

Realistic processing times:

• 12–30 months when the application is correct

• up to 36 months in case of errors or additional requests

Why Is Legal Support Essential?

Even one formal mistake can:

• delay the application by 12–18 months

• lead to a rejection

• require restarting the entire process

  
  

The Legal Case team:

• verifies all Ukrainian and Italian documents

• ensures accurate translations

• prepares and submits the application on the official platform

• responds to Prefecture requests

• monitors deadlines

• challenges delays or unjustified decisions

Legal Case — Legal Solutions That Work

If you are planning to apply for Italian citizenship or want your file reviewed before submission, we provide full, professional legal assistance to help you avoid errors, delays, and rejections.

Book a consultation — we will prepare your application correctly from the very first attempt.