Obtaining Italian Dual Citizenship, “What’s in it for me?” and “Sounds good, but how much does it cost?”….
Benefits that you will accrue by having your Italian Citizenship include:
1. Being eligible to work, live and study in Italy and in the other EU countries without the need for a work or student Visa.
2. Right to stay in Italy beyond the normal 90 day “Visa Waiver” program. Come and go as you please.
3. Buying property in Italy is easier.
4. Transferring citizenship to all children under 18 years old.
5. Having easier access to public health care and public education available to all EU citizens.
6. You can vote for your regional Italian Parliament representative.
Cost varies based on how many generations exist between you and your Italian ancestor who emigrated to your country. For instance, these are the costs that you will likely incur:
1. You will need your Italian ancestor’s birth, marriage and death certificates, as applicable. There are minor fees to obtain certified copies.
2. Obtain a certified copy of your Italian Ancestor’s US (or other Country) Naturalization papers or, in case he or she was never naturalized; you will need to perform some additional research in the Census Records and with the National Archives. You may incur research costs, as well as, the cost of obtaining the copies.
3. Collect fresh official Vital Record copies of birth, marriage, divorce and death records of yours and all your ancestors in your lineage from your native/current country. These are usually purchased from your State or Province vital statistic offices.
4. You will need to have your State or Province provide you with an International Apostille or legalization for each document. These government offices charge fees.
5. Non-Italian vital record documents (with the exception of the Naturalization documents and Apostilles) will need to be translated to Italian.
6. The Italian Consulate where you will officially apply for citizenship will charge you an application fee. As of July 8th, 2014, all applications for the recognition of the Italian citizenship Jure Sanguinis (by descent) and Jure Matrimonii (for foreign national whose husband is an Italian citizen married prior to April 27, 1983) are subject to the PAYMENT OF A € 300 FEE (Anyone over the age of 18, asking to be recognized as an Italian citizen, is subject to pay the consular fee.) The fee is subject to change depending on the exchange rate. The application fee is NON REFUNDABLE, regardless of the outcome of the petition.
7. Eventually, when you receive your citizenship, you will incur fees to order your Italian Passport, which is approximately $145.
Finally the cost differs GREATLY if you do it yourself (with some help), versus hiring a Dual Citizenship Specialty company or a law firm that will do it for you.