Quick and easy question about moving to Italy

I'm an American who is interested in moving to Italy for permanent residence. I don't think I'm eligible for citizenship since my great grandparents were both born in Italy, and i've been told that i can't obtain citizenship that way. Is there any other way to obtain citizenship without marrying an Italian citizen? My girlfriend and I are planning on moving there in about a year or so and we're not sure what to do.

I understand that we could only stay there legally up to 90 days without a visa. Is it really this hard and complicated to move to Europe? Any insight would be appreciated! Thanks!

Of course you don't need Italian Citizenship as such to have the right to live and work in Italy ... you "just" need citizenship of another EEA state!

For example a British or Irish parent might assist you to get such citizenship and then armed with that passport you could live and work in Italy.

Is that any help at all? I have a suspicion ... I suspect not.

ya thats the thing, i don't have such a parent. so i'm pretty much out of luck then, 'eh? i mean is there any other way of aquiring citizenship or no?

Ronzo wrote:ya thats the thing, i don't have such a parent. so i'm pretty much out of luck then, 'eh? i mean is there any other way of aquiring citizenship or no?

Italian citizenship passes down the generations indefinitely, however Italy restricted dual citizenship before 1992 so the chain was usually 'broken' if a parent became a naturalised US citizen before the child was born. You should look up some official Italian websites (do a google search on 'italian citizenship') before abandoning the idea completely. Never rely on what you are "told".

Some EEA states will let you claim citizenship based on a grandparent.

Otherwise, you'd probably need to be sponsored to work in Italy by an Italian corporation - after a number of years there you *might* be able to become a naturalised Italian citizen. Depends on what Italian law says.

Otherwise, if you married an Italian you could probably claim citizenship that way after a few years (if the marriage was genuine).