To apply for Italian citizenship, the following is required: Legal residency in Italy: Necessary Documents: All applications for citizenship by residency are sent to the Italian Ministry of the Interior in Rome and the process takes an average of 2 years. Citizenship by residency is a concession and not a right, so the Italian State may deny it if the aforementioned requirements are not met. After receiving notification of the grant of citizenship, the applicant has 6 months to take the oath.