Italy Mag

By some estimates there are 16 million people of Italian heritage in the United States alone, not to mention the Italian diaspora in South America, Australia, Canada, and the UK.

Due to Italy’s favourable citizenship laws towards those of Italian descent, most of them qualify for an Italian passport.

For those seeking to live, work, or study in Italy and the European Union, an Italian passport is a game-changer.

While some dream of living la dolce vita, those who qualify for Italian citizenship can actually do it.

In this post, we explain what Italian dual citizenship is, how you can qualify, why you might want to, and how you can obtain your actual Italian passport.

Andiamo!

How does Italian citizenship work?

According to Law no. 555 of 1912, Italian citizenship is passed down from parent to child.

Being born in Italy is not enough to obtain Italian citizenship.

You are only an Italian citizen by birth if at least one of your parents is Italian.

This system is known as jure sanguinis—a Latin term meaning “by right of blood.”

Many European countries operate on a jure sanguinis basis.

Contrast this with jure soli countries like the United States and Canada.

In jure soli countries, you are automatically a citizen as long as you are born in that territory.

There, the citizenship of your parents has no bearing on your nationality.

The two systems—jure sanguinis and jure soli—can co-exist.

In fact, one can be a citizen of the United States jure soli and a citizen of Italy jure sanguinis.

That is how many people from Canada, the UK, Australia, the US and beyond qualify for Italian citizenship.

Italian Law Takes ‘Jure Sanguinis’ Even Further

Possibly alone in the world, Italy allows jure sanguinis citizenship to pass on indefinitely.

This means that as long as Italian citizenship is successfully handed down just one time from parent to child, it’s subsequently passed down from generation to generation without limit.

What’s more, each generation does not need to get their own Italian citizenship recognised for it to be valid.

It can sit there, waiting to be claimed, across any number of generations.

In this manner, people who have an Italian grandparent, great grandparent or even great-great grandparent can still qualify for Italian citizenship themselves as long as they meet all the criteria.

How to Qualify for Italian Dual Citizenship

Qualifying is as simple as understanding a few key rules.

You must meet every one of them in order to be eligible.

1. Your Italian ancestor must have been alive, anywhere in the world, on or after March 17, 1861.
   Before this date, there was no such thing as Italy. People born in (most of) the territory we now call Italy got their Italian citizenship automatically on this date. Therefore, if your ancestor died before then s/he never actually held Italian citizenship and could not pass it on.
2. Your Italian ancestor was still an Italian citizen at the time of his/her child’s birth.
   This means that your ancestor must not have become a citizen of another country by the time his or her child was born. Becoming a citizen of another country would have caused your ancestor to immediately lose Italian citizenship. Thus, s/he could not pass it on.
3. If your Italian ancestor ever did become a citizen of another country, it must have been both after the birth of his or her child, and after July 1, 1912.
   This date is important because it’s when Law no. 555 of 1912 came into effect. Any Italian losing citizenship before then could not pass it on, even if the loss occurred after the birth of his/her child.
4. If there are women in your direct line, their child must have been born on or after January 1, 1948.
   Before this date women could not pass on citizenship to their children, except where fathers were missing, deceased, unknown, or their own foreign citizenship didn’t pass down. It is worth noting that many people have successfully challenged this rule in court (more on this below).

A Few Practical Examples

• John was born in the United States in 1947. His father Jack was born in the United States in 1924. Jack’s father Francesco was born in Italy in 1901. Francesco became an American citizen in 1923. Because Francesco was not an Italian citizen at the time of Jacks’ birth, neither Jack nor his son John qualify for Italian citizenship.
• Jack has a brother Gregory who was born in the United States in 1921. Because Francesco was still an Italian citizen in 1921 at the time of Gregory’s birth, both Gregory and all of his descendants qualify for Italian dual citizenship.
• Ursula was born in Canada in 1957. Her father Pietro was born in Canada in 1932. Pietro’s mom Giacinta was born in Italy in 1903. Because Pietro was born before January 1, 1948, he did not obtain Italian citizenship from his mom and he cannot pass it down to Ursula either. Pietro will have to see if his father qualifies him or he’ll have to take his case to court.

When to Take It to Court

If you have women in your direct line with children born before January 1, 1948 you may still be able to qualify.

Since 2009, Italian courts have consistently ruled this discrimination unconstitutional.

However, it has not yet been enshrined in law.

This means that those falling under this category cannot apply through the normal administrative channels which we will detail below.

These applicants must hire an Italian attorney to represent them in Rome.

There is good news, however: these cases have a high probability of success.

Benefits of Italian Dual Citizenship

Obtaining your Italian citizenship brings many benefits. Here are just a few of them:

• Italian citizens can live, work, and study anywhere within the European Union.
• You can enjoy world class healthcare. Italy’s healthcare system consistently ranks in the top 3 worldwide every year.
• You can enjoy affordable education and send yourself of your children to school without debt.
• Italian citizens can purchase property in Italy with far less overhead than foreigners.
• When you’re abroad, you’ll be protected by two embassies.
• It’s a tangible way of honoring your heritage.
• If you are seeking employment, your dual citizenship makes you both more mobile and more attractive to employers.
• You can pass it on to your children and spouse.

Where to Apply for Italian Dual Citizenship

From Outside Italy

If you are living outside Italy, you must file your application at the Italian consulate which has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

Most consulates operate with an online appointment booking system called “Prenota.”

From their website, you can select a calendar date.

However, note that in many countries Italian dual citizenship is quite popular.

It is not unheard of to wait a few years just for the appointment.

After the appointment, the Italian government has 24 months to process your application.

From Inside Italy

If you live in Italy, you will apply at your comune (town).

First, you’ll apply for residency at the ufficio anagrafe.

Once that’s done, you will then apply for citizenship either at the ufficio di stato civile or the ufficio di cittadinanza.

What Documents You’ll Need

In order to successfully stake your claim of citizenship, you need to gather documentation.

This includes vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and naturalization certificates to recreate your family tree.

As a general rule, you will need the following:

For You

• Your birth certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• Your marriage certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille

For Your Parent

• His/her birth certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• His/her marriage certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• Any applicable death certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille

For Any Subsequent Generations Between You, Your Parents, & Your Italian Ancestor

• His/her birth certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• His/her marriage certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• Any applicable death certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille

For Your Italian Ancestor

• Your ancestor’s Italian birth certificate
• His/her naturalization certificate or proof of non-naturalization, translated into Italian
• His/her marriage certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille
• Any applicable death certificate, translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille

If you feel you cannot handle obtaining documentation on your own, there are Italian dual citizenship companies which can help.

How Much Does It Cost?

You can expect to spend 300 euros on the application fee itself (if you apply outside Italy).

Other than that, your costs may range from a few hundred to a few thousand depending on how many documents you must obtain.

Conclusion

If you qualify, Italian dual citizenship is your birthright.

In fact, those who qualify are not actually applying for citizenship at all – they are merely asking the Italian government to recognise a status they already hold.

If you have the time and energy, putting together your application for citizenship is highly doable and brings with it numerous benefits.

Air conditioners are bound to experience some amount of wear and tear if they are exposed to extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

We know that window units often tend to allow cold air to come into the house resulting in higher utility bills.

According to a Huffington Post article, windows are not the only parts of your home that are prone to leaking air.

Crawl spaces and attic walls keep losing air as well.

Professionally insulating your house could be the most effective way of boosting energy efficiency.

However, you may use an insulated outdoor air conditioner cover to serve the purpose.

Extreme weather conditions do not merely imply snowy winters. It is much more.

It would be a wise move for people living in the freezing northern states of the United States or Canada to use a cover for their air conditioning unit.

You must certainly consider using an air conditioner cover if you are residing in those parts of the world that are prone to blizzards, hail storms, or other unpredictable natural calamities that usually occur during the winter season.

What to Consider When Choosing an A/C Cover

AC covers are useful in preserving your A/C units so that they are in good condition and can provide optimal performance during the next summer season.

Hence, you must invest in a cover that promises safety and durability.

It is a good idea to choose water-resistant and breathable covers.

Breathability is of prime concern in terms of A/C protection.

If your entire AC unit is covered, you must necessarily use a cover that has mesh vents.

Here are some of the most critical factors to consider while choosing an outdoor A/C cover.

1. Size

Accurate measurements of your outdoor A/C unit must be taken before looking for a cover so that you end up buying an A/C cover that fits correctly and is perfect in size.

We know that an ill-fitting air conditioner cover could not only adversely impact the overall aesthetic ambiance of your outdoors, but it could also allow insects and small rodents to get in easily.

In the event, you are unable to identify the perfect sized cover that fits your air conditioner’s unique and precise dimensions, buy one that is slightly bigger but comes with a drawstring, or buckle straps or elastic hem so that all sizing issues are resolved.

2. Water Resistance

Outdoor air conditioner covers help in saving your A/C units from extreme cold disasters that take place in the winter season.

Hence, it is best to choose a water-resistant air conditioner cover so that water is not allowed to seep through or settle into the air conditioner.

This is just right for keeping mould, mildew, and moisture at bay.

3. Easy Installation

You must examine the installation instructions before buying an A/C cover.

Consider reviewing those instructions before opting for a specific air conditioner cover.

4. Porous & Aerated

The breathability of an A/C cover material is of prime importance as discussed above.

You must choose an intact cover that is well-aerated and boasts of being made out of a porous material to facilitate the smooth flow of air.

This would prevent any undesirable stench.

5. Durability

Your AC cover must promise longevity.

It must be accompanied by a warranty stating that it would be lasting for a specific period.

A good quality cover should be having at least, two years of warranty.

6. Insulation

This is critical for window AC units.

Depending on the precise region you reside in, you may require an insulated air conditioner cover to protect the machine from extreme cold conditions.

Conclusion

The argument relating to air conditioner covers doesn’t seem to end.

One side firmly believes that A/C units are robust and meant to be outside hence, they do not need any pampering or extra protection in the form of air conditioner covers.

There is yet another side that argues that it is best to be on the safe side than be sorry.

You must use covers to preserve the AC and retain its efficiency.

The choice is yours to make.

As more and more articles and reports are being published to make us aware of how our consumption is affecting the environment, it is also becoming easier and more desirable to make more informed ethical choices.

Read on for our top tips to evolve your spending habits and do your bit for a happier and healthier planet Earth.

1. Shop Brands Wisely

Shopping is a fun and satisfying way to express our taste and style, and yet we are becoming more and more aware of how our spending is fuelling catastrophic environmental pollution and unfair labour situations.

Many shops and brands that offer cheaper clothes are often able to do so due to the lack of fair wages, humane treatment and safe working conditions for the workers that are making them.

Spend some time researching your favourite brands to find out the labour practices that they utilise and promote.

Many may be involved in practices you deem unethical, but you may be pleasantly surprised by some high street shops and designers that have taken steps to improve their sustainability ratings in recent years.

2. Invest in Quality Over Quantity

An effective way to shop more sustainably is to make more considered choices about what you buy.

Making less frequent but deliberate purchases of high-quality goods that will last you for years to come, rather than buying lots of fast fashion garments that won’t last long in your wardrobe.

When it comes to clothes and accessories, look for classic pieces that will stay in fashion with each new season and year, made to a high quality that will endure frequent wear.

Look to the many new brands that have emerged in recent years that focus on sustainability.

These brands work to create fashionable and classic garments using the most ethical and sustainable practices.

Many brands reuse, repurpose and redesign second-hand garments and materials to produce far more desirable pieces that appear to be brand new.

Although these brands can often appear to be a more expensive option, the clothes are designed to be long-lasting additions to your wardrobe so that you will get your money’s worth (while doing your bit for a healthier and fairer environment).

3. Buy Fairtrade

When you are hoping to make more ethical decisions in your day to day life, choosing to buy Fairtrade products is an easy and impactful way to do your bit for a better world.

Fairtrade means that the people involved in growing, manufacturing or building your product were paid a sustainable living wage.

This is a stark contrast to the usual processes behind many products, where families are forced to live on low wages despite their valuable hard work.

Buying Fairtrade enables you to do your bit to promote a fair economy that can grow and develop.

Whether you are doing your weekly shop in the supermarket or shopping for gold jewellery, look for the Fairtrade symbol and make an informed choice that supports a fairer and more equal world.

4. Choose Conflict-Free Jewellery

Today it is easier than ever to make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing jewellery.

There can be many human rights and social implications in the process of jewellery-making, and to become a more ethical consumer it is more important than ever to consider where jewellery is sourced and diamonds are mined before committing to a purchase.

In 2003, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was put into action to protect the process of sourcing and trading diamonds.

Throughout history, conflict diamonds have been known to fuel wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The term ‘blood diamond’ refers to diamonds that do not fall within the Kimberley Process Scheme, often the result of smuggling, violent tactics and rebel groups.

The Kimberley Process means that rough diamonds are transported across borders in secure containers so as to not be interfered with, thus reducing the trade of conflict and ‘blood’ diamonds.

Over 70 countries follow the Kimberley Process Scheme, including the UK and USA, with each diamond holding a conflict-free certificate.

Choose conflict-free diamonds for peace of mind that your diamonds have been sourced via the most ethical practices that cannot be traced to violent rebel group tactics.

Whether you are looking for special necklaces, future heirloom earrings or an engagement ring, make an informed choice with a diamond you can be sure was sourced ethically.

Another ethical choice is to choose man-made diamonds.

This particular kind of diamond not only appears identical to natural diamonds, but also has an identical chemical composition and hardness rating.

These diamonds have been made with a scientific process – recreating natural conditions within a laboratory environment.

This eliminates the possibility of inhumane and violent conditions being attached to your diamond, while still resulting in a sparkling diamond that many gemologists cannot differentiate from a natural stone.

Lab-created stones also come with the added ethical bonus of a reduced carbon footprint due to the low-energy processes utilised by labs.

In an age where individual ethical choices are becoming increasingly important and easier to execute, choosing ethically manufactured jewellery is a mindful step in the right direction.