Thousands of children are born in Italy to Bangladeshi parents every year: 3,785 in 2024 alone, 8.9% of all births to non-EU parents. Italian law does not grant citizenship at birth, but it offers a simple route on coming of age.
The rule
Anyone born in Italy who has lived there legally without interruption until 18 can become a citizen through a simple declaration to the municipal registrar. The declaration must be made within one year of the 18th birthday: after that the option is lost and the longer residence route applies.
What you need
- Italian birth certificate.
- Proof of continuous residence: registry records, while school and vaccination certificates can help cover any “gaps”.
- Identity document and residence permit.
The municipality must inform young people of this option in the six months before their 18th birthday.
Why registration matters
Many problems arise from periods when a child was not registered at the municipal registry, for example after a move or a long trip to Bangladesh. Parents: make sure your children are always registered at the address where you live.
If a parent is already Italian
If a parent becomes a citizen while the child is a minor and living with them, the child automatically becomes Italian. In 2024 more than half of citizenship acquisitions by Bangladeshis were through parents or on turning 18.
