5.460 Brazilians applied for citizenship in 2021, in Italy

In 2021, 121.457 citizenship applications were registered in Italy, more than 10 fewer than the previous year. The data is from Istat, the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica, directly linked to the Italian government, and published this Tuesday (25).

Several factors may have influenced the fall. The delay in processing the application in Italian municipalities, due to the effects of the pandemic and the Ministry of the Interior's guidance on Grand Naturalization, is the main one. At the time, the body suggested that municipalities wait for the Supreme Court's decision.

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In 90% of cases (around 109.600) they were citizens of third countries – outside the European Union. As for the reasons, 41% of citizenship acquisitions occurred through residence and 11,9% through marriage. 

In general, women represent 49,6% of those who acquired Italian citizenship in 2021, but they account for more than 81% among those who obtained it through marriage.

The new citizens

Non-EU citizens who acquired Italian citizenship in 2021 are mainly from Albania (22.493), Morocco (16.588) and Brasil (5.460).

The number does not include processes carried out at Italian consulates in Brazil.

Together, the three countries represent more than 40% of applications registered in Italy in 2021, whether for marriage, residence or blood rights.

Approximately 69% of Italian citizenship acquisitions were registered in the North of the country and 20% in the Center. In the South, where 11,4% of citizenships are obtained, the processes for Italian citizenship by descent... (ius sanguinis) are the majority.

Among the regions, Lombardy (25,1%), Emilia Romagna (13,8%) and Veneto (10,4%) registered the most requests for recognition. In the South, the highest value is that of Sicily, with just over 3%.

ADVERTISING

🔴 Supreme Court • May 2026

Standing in line at the consulate doesn't erase your right to citizenship.

The Italian Supreme Court has confirmed that a consular blockade is legal grounds for legal action.

• Were you unable to schedule an appointment at the consulate?
• Is the process stalled or poorly managed?
• Maternal lineage?
• Incomplete documentation?

See if there is still a solution.

Immigrants

Between 2021 and 2022, non-EU citizens with regular residence permits in Italy increased by almost 6%, from 3.373.876 on 1 January 2021 to 3.561.540 on 1 January 2022.

In 2021, 241.595 residence permits were issued, 135.000 more than in 2020.

The full study can be read here: non-EU citizens.

Photos: Depositphotos