I completed my four-year college education in Italy six year ago then moved to the United States. Now I am thinking about moving back to Italy through its Golden Visa program. It granted a resident permit, when will I become eligible for citizenship, considering I have been a resident in the past?
Italian Law requires you to have been resident in Italy for at least 10 years. The fact that you have been resident in the past does not help you, as it cannot be added to new residence status newly granted. Unfortunately, you should have left Italy for a few months. Six years' time is too much.
To apply for Italian citizenship by residing in the country, if you are a non-EU national, you need to be legally residing in Italy for at least 10 continuous years. Past residence time is not taken into consideration for the calculation of the 10-year minimum timing.
If you have previously canceled your residency registration, the years you have spent in Italy in the past will not count. Citizenship requires 10 years of residency, and the starting date is the date when you register with the local Town Hall (residenza anagrafica).
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