Citizenship for foreigners, stricter measures on criminal offences and the Italian language: heading for a vote in the Chamber of Deputies

A suspended sentence does not prevent the purchase if, during the period of suspension, no further offences have been committed. Rehabilitation removes this obstacle. Anyone charged with these offences must await the final judgement. For these applications, the time limit is two years from the date of application, extendable to three years.

Even those applying for citizenship on the basis of residence will be subject to the same restrictions as those already in place for marriage. Where proceedings are underway in relation to the relevant offences, the application remains suspended until notification is received of the case being dropped or of a final acquittal. Here too, rehabilitation removes this obstacle.

In the case of marriage and naturalisation, even those who have signed the integration agreement or hold a long-term EU residence permit will be required to demonstrate a level of Italian equivalent to at least B1. This may be demonstrated by means of an appropriate educational qualification or a valid language certificate. Those who, due to age, illness or disability, have serious difficulties in learning the language – as certified by a public healthcare facility – are exempt.

The oath will be taken in Italian. Anyone who is unable to take the oath due to a serious disability, as certified by a public healthcare facility or a doctor registered with the National Health Service, is exempt.

The revocation, which already applies to certain offences of terrorism and subversion, applies to those who become Italian citizens through marriage, naturalisation or by means of the declaration required for those born in Italia upon reaching the age of majority. Citizens by birth are excluded.

The proposal extends the revocation to offences committed using mafia-style methods or to benefit criminal organisations, including foreign ones. Human trafficking, female genital mutilation and death or injury resulting from offences relating to illegal immigration are also included. Specific cybercrimes targeting systems of military interest, public order and security, healthcare, civil protection or otherwise of public interest are also included. Murder and certain sexual offences have been removed from the original text.

Revocation is ordered by the Head of State, on the recommendation of the Minister of the Interior, within ten years of the final conviction. The person must hold, or be able to obtain, another nationality.

To regain Italian citizenship, an application must be submitted and ten years must have elapsed since the decision regarding the end of the risk to society became final. During that period, there must be no new final convictions or declarations of danger relating to offences that would lead to revocation. The Ministry of the Interior may object on serious and substantiated grounds, subject to a favourable opinion from the Council of State, within one year of the requirements being met.