Italy is gearing up for a crucial referendum on June 8-9, where voters will decide whether to slash the residency requirement for foreign nationals applying for citizenship. If approved, the change would cut the current 10-year waiting period in half, potentially granting Italian nationality to about 2.5 million immigrants.
The push for the referendum came from opposition parties and pro-migrant advocacy groups, including Oxfam Italia, which successfully gathered over 500,000 signatures last September—enough to trigger a public vote. Despite strong resistance from the ruling Brothers of Italy (FdI) party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the government was legally bound to schedule the vote after the Constitutional Court greenlit the proposal in January.
A Divisive Issue in Italian Politics
As it stands, Italy has one of the strictest naturalization processes in Europe. Foreign-born residents must wait a full decade before applying, and even children born on Italian soil to foreign parents aren’t eligible for citizenship until they turn 18. Advocates for reform argue that this policy is outdated and far more restrictive than those in other European nations. In Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the UK, five years of residency is typically enough, while France grants naturalization in as little as two years under certain conditions.
Unsurprisingly, the proposal has sparked intense debate. Prime Minister Meloni, who built much of her political platform on a tough stance against migration, remains firmly against altering the nationality law, calling the decade-long requirement “appropriate.” She’s backed by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League Party, who has also spoken out against easing the rules.
Yet, not all members of the governing coalition are on the same page. Antonio Tajani, head of the center-right Forza Italia and another deputy prime minister, previously floated a compromise: allowing children who complete a decade of education in the Italian school system to gain citizenship before turning 18. However, that proposal never materialized into legislation.
What’s at Stake?
Earlier this year, Italy’s top court clarified that the proposed reform wouldn’t change other requirements for naturalization. Applicants would still need to demonstrate continuous and legal residency, pass a language test (minimum B1 level in Italian), and maintain a clean criminal record.
For the referendum to succeed, more than 50% of eligible voters must turn out, with a simple majority needed for approval. Supporters of the reform had pushed for the vote to coincide with local elections on May 25-26 to boost participation. However, the government exercised its authority to schedule it separately.
Riccardo Magi, spokesperson for the Citizenship Referendum Committee, emphasized the urgency of mobilizing voters, particularly students. “We have just over 80 days to break the wall of silence,” he stated, urging young voters to ensure they’re registered. Those living away from their official residence must notify election officials at least 35 days in advance to cast their ballots where they currently reside.
With just weeks to go, the battle over Italy’s citizenship laws is heating up, setting the stage for a referendum that could reshape the country’s approach to naturalization for years to come.
