if my grandfather was born in italy but then immigrated to america, then to get an italian citizenship/passport i would have to live there for two years after turning 18.
is that right?
2007-04-09 07:58:24 · 7 answers · asked by italiancat73 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
No. You dont need to. You can become an Italian citizen by "jure sanguinis" because you have been an Italian citizen since birth.
It is a long process but if you have the birth certificate of your grandpa, that is a start. It will take about a year to get your citizenship.
2007-04-09 18:27:36 · answer #1 · answered by ★Spotter★ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Citizenship and passport are two very different things; anyway, if your grandfather was an Italian citizen and you're over 18, you need to live in Italy for at least three years; if your under 18, you can obtain citizenship if, when you turn 18, you were living in Italy for at least two years.
By Italian side, is not required to give-up another citizenship, with the exception of few Countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France (there are further exception, though), Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway
Anyway, look here: http://www.myitaliancitizenship.com/index.jsp?f=faq.htm
This is Ministry for Foreign Affairs official site, alas this part is in Italian only: http://www.esteri.it/eng/5_30_208_318.asp?
EDIT
Spotter is right, but what he says apply only if you're grandparent kept his Italian citizenship; if he was naturalized US citizen he may have lost his Italian citizenship, so three years are required. Anyway, look on linked sites.
2007-04-09 17:40:42 · answer #2 · answered by Pinguino 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The surest way to find out is to contact an Italian embassy in Washinton DC.
While US does not officially recognize dual citizenship for MOST countries, there are exceptions. Even stranger, there is no contact between US state department and the foreign government about who becomes a citizen of other countries. Therefore, it IS possible to posess two citizenship.
Be aware though, if you are citizen of two countries, your rights and responsibilities get quite complicated when you are in either of the countries, or even in a third country. Think and research carefully before you attempt this.
2007-04-09 15:10:06 · answer #3 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dual citizenship is entirly possible and there are no laws preventing it. (Says the person with three citizenships currently and a fourth pending...)
If you want to find out about Italian citizenship then go ask the Italian Embassy, don't ask here. IIRC, EU countries don't strip citizenship when you take up theirs, so you should be good to go on that front.
2007-04-09 16:16:11 · answer #4 · answered by russ_in_mo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That depends on if you want to give up your American citizenship. The US does not recognize dual nationality, except in the circumstance where a US national was born to at least one US parent while the mother was living abroad.
In the case you cite, you will have to renounce your American citizenship to become an Italian.
2007-04-09 15:02:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can either believe the answers here on Yahoo or you can go to the WEB site and find out. You may also call any immigration lawyers and their service is free for this answer.
Good luck
2007-04-09 15:03:31 · answer #6 · answered by azrim h 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Not sure hon, but I envy you. I realy want to see Italy before I die. (grandparents are Sicilian)
2007-04-09 15:01:13 · answer #7 · answered by shojo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋