Italy — citizenship
Italian citizenship for special merits
Citizenship can be granted to a foreigner who has rendered eminent services to Italy or where its granting is in the special interest of the State
There are several countries in the world having special provisions in citizenship laws granting citizenship based on public interest such as achievements in the field of science, sports, technology, research, energy and art/culture.
What about Italy?
Art. 9/2 of law 91/1992 set forth that citizenship may be granted to an alien who has rendered
eminent services to Italy or where its granting is in the special interest of the State.
Broad discretion is left to the competent authorities to judge the grounds for granting citizenship under this provision.
Citizenship for sport merits
The athlete Yassine Rachik was granted citizenship in 2015 for sport merits. He is originally from Morocco and emigrated to Italy with his parents very young. Under the Italian flag he won the bronze medal in the Men’s Marathon at 2018 European Championships.
Other athletes who were granted citizenship arethe Cuban wrestler Abraham de Jesus Conyedo Ruano and the US ice-hockey player Chelsea Marie Furlani.
Citizenship for “civil” merits
Citizenship was granted to the Pakista citizen Nosheen Ahmad But. Noshee was beaten by family members on October 3, 2012 as she was accused of engaging in western behaviours and lifestyles. She was granted citizenship for putting her life at risk for the principles of integration and civil coexistence of our country.
Another case is the granting of citizenship to the widow of Samb Modou. Samb Modou, a Senegalese citizen, was killed along with his fellow countryman Diop Mor by Gianluca Casseri who had shot some Senegalese street vendors at the local market in Piazza Dalmazia in Florence on December 13, 2011.
The most recent case, still pending, is the proposal of granting citizenship to Rami Shehata. Ramy, an Egyptian teenager who lives in Italy with his parents, was the protagonist of the rescue of 51 children in San Donato Milanese. It was he who alerted the police while he was onboard the bus that was seized then set on fire by senegalese Oyssenou Sy.
«“I told my classmates to stand up and make noise so I could call 112 and tell them everything»
What is the procedure?
The proposal must be submitted by a public body, as association or by a public figure that need to support the existence of the conditions set forth by the law for the concession of citizenship.
The individual must however give his/her consent to the submission of the proposal.
Citizenship is adjudicated with a decree of the President of the Republic, upon proposal of the Ministry of Interior and after deliberation of the Council of Ministers.
Within 6 months for the notification of the Decree, the person concerned must swear to be faithful to the Republic and to observe the Constitution and the laws of the State (art. 10, Law n. 91/1992)
Disclaimer
The information provided on this article (i) does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; (ii) are for general informational purposes only and may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information (iii) may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader; (iv) readers should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter.
