Revocation of Italian Citizenship: Who Can Lose Citizenship in Italy?
Under the Italian law, Italian citizenship may be revoked under Article 10-bis of Law No. 91 of 1992, in cases of terrorism-related crimes or crimes against national security.
In particular, the law provides that citizenship revocation applies only to individuals who acquired Italian citizenship through naturalization or through marriage and therefore does not apply to individuals who are Italian citizens by birth (iure sanguinis).
Revocation may occur when the Italian citizen is convicted of particularly serious crimes associated with terrorism or serious acts that endanger the security of the State.
This is therefore not a general rule applicable to all citizens, but an extraordinary and targeted legal sanction reserved for the most serious security-related offenses.
Due to its exceptional nature, citizenship revocation is not automatic. It is ordered within ten years following the final criminal judgment, after the completion of the judicial proceedings, by Decree of the President of the Republic, upon proposal of the Minister of the Interior.
It should be noted that citizenship revocation is a measure initiated upon request following specific mentioned events. However, it is distinct from the loss of Italian citizenship, which may occur in cases of voluntary renunciation or service for a foreign State, including military service or acceptance of a public office for a foreign government.
For more information, you may contact our Citizenship Team.
This article was written by Giuditta De Ricco and Antonia Manicone.
