I have finally pressed the button and applied for my Italian Citizenship. Now all I have to do, is sit back with a glass of wine and wait to see if they reject my application.
Three wise cats, Micha, Headache and Liquorice.
My quest started in November 2016 when I applied for my criminal record check, I was a little worried how many misdemeanours and skeletons they might discover.
Maybe just one or two skeletons.
However they obviously didn’t dig too deep, for example they never uncovered the incident of the little girl who somehow lost a chunk of her ponytail during class, maybe they couldn’t prove the fingerprints on the craft scissors were mine.
Ok, so it wasn’t quite as bad as this, well maybe
With this minor hurdle over I procrastinated for just over five months, it was only when I realised the criminal record certificate was due to expire, that I decided I needed to gather my documents and officially apply.
Applying on line means uploading copies of my birth certificate, residency document, criminal record and something called Richiesta di Iscrizione anagrafica. I will be honest, I didn’t know I had one of these and I still don’t know what it is or when I got it.
I also had to answer 30 pages of multiple choice questions, ok some of the pages only had 5 questions, but they were all written in Italian…
Multiple choice questions
To say I was a little stressed when I was finished is an understatement. I rechecked my answers and then pressed the button.
The Italian ministry now has 730 days to either decline or accept my application. If they don’t reply in time, I am granted citizenship by default.
Over a glass of wine, I suddenly had a cunning idea, if all the brits suddenly flooded the Italian ministry with citizenship applications….. they will be overloaded and won’t be able to cope!
Flood the Italian ministry with applications
and if they can’t cope, maybe my application will be overlooked and I will gain citizenship after 730 days by default.
So please help this black sheep by applying now
Englishman in Italy 
730 days to decide then it is “by default”? There’s probably one person assigned to this in all of Italy. I would bet the only people who ever hear are those denied.
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Hi Laurel, that is what I am hoping for.
I have been telling everyone, Now is the time to apply… 😜
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i’ll do my part to help, my grandparents on one side were italian, i’m sure i’m in! or not, and this will help with the chaos level
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A little more chaos will be wonderful.
I have a friend in Scotland, whose grandfather used to go drinking with Luigi . I have told him to apply as well.
I don’t think it matters how tenuous the link is 😜😜 Because they won’t have time to decline the applications
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You really have a cat named Headache?
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Well we had a cat called headache, he picked a fight with a dog and unfortunately lost.
He drive us absolutely mad, hence the name
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And anyone who would name a cat Licorice is a lifelong buddy of mine.
I predict you’ll hear on day 729.
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we went through a completely scientific process when we named our cats, hence we have cats called Headache, Liquorice, Mishmash, Scabby Ginger Cat and Susie Stupid Pussy Cat. It’s also quite good fun when I have to take them to the vets.
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Wow! 730 days, that’s Vogon level bureaucracy !
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They brought in the 730 days because the applications weren’t being processed at all.
This is the Italian way of dealing with problems
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730 days exactly. Sounds a bit German!! I’d say you’re onto a winner there!
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I think if the ministry had 1489 days, I would still be onto a winner
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I think you can just take it as a given!
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I suppose I should start learning my acceptance speech, hopefully 730 days should be just about long enough to learn the phrases needed
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Congratulazioni and best of luck!
Meanwhile we’re back in blighty and wondering if we have the stomach to apply for Hubby to get British citizenship during Brexit. What do you reckon? Do you think anyone would notice if you and he just exchanged passports?
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That’s a pretty good idea, does he look like a blacksheep?
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Well, more of a white-and-thinning-on-top sheep these days, if I’m honest. But If you let Mrs. Sensible order you to do as much DIY as I have demanded from him, you could catch up in no time
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So what is the online address to apply? Easier than doing so in France, or Ireland.
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The following link provides information on how to apply. I applied via our regions website because I am resident here.
http://www.esteri.it/mae/en/italiani_nel_mondo/serviziconsolari/cittadinanza.html
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Not long now!
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May 2019 !!!! If I live that long….
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730 days? Good grief! I enjoy eating pizza and pasta – I think that link is strong enough and I will apply…
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they will never process my application in time, I will win by default
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It seems such a long wait for you. 😦
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I too, have applied for my citizenship in May 2016-so still waiting..May 2018 or bust 🙂 …or by default…I have emailed a couple of times to them and I get the same response..730 days….amazing. As I have been living in Italy since 2013 and am married to Italian citizen, but still 730 days…onwards and upwards..Viva Italia!
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Good luck with your application, if they don’t give you a decision within the 730 days… You will be granted citizenship by default.
So get everyone to apply and flood their offices with applications 🙃
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