Same-Sex Wedding in Italy for foreigners

Same-sex couples can enter into a legally recognized civil union in Italy, even if their home country does not permit same-sex unions.

Foreign citizens generally need a Nulla Osta or an equivalent declaration of no impediment from their consulate in Italy, legalized at the competent Prefettura before the ceremony.

Requirements for Same-Sex Civil Unions in Italy for Foreigners

Last update: July 2026.

As former legal consultants for Italian foreign offices with extensive expertise in foreign affairs, we can guide you through any legal procedure, regardless of your nationality.

Italy is a country where civil unions between same-sex partners are legally recognized.

If you are considering a same-sex civil partnership in Italy, foreign citizens must obtain a declaration from their consulate in Italy confirming no legal impediments to the union, commonly known as a nulla osta.

The Nulla Osta must be legalized in advance at the competent Italian prefettura.

Important: Not every prefettura in Italy is authorized to legalize a nulla osta. The legalization can only be done at the prefettura where the signature of the foreign consul (or their official deputy) is registered. The competent office depends on the consulate that issued your documents.

However, if international conventions between Italy and your country of origin exist, they may provide an exemption from the legalization requirement (London Convention, Munich Convention, Bruxelles Convention).

In addition to the above statement, the document must include the full details of the individual concerned, including their first name, last name, place and date of birth, residence, and marital status and parent’s names.

📌 How to Enter into a Civil Union in Italy if It Is Not Allowed in Your Country

Thanks to a sentence of the Italian “Consiglio di Stato“, there are useful indications regarding the authorization in Italy for civil partnerships without the Nulla Osta if in your country of origin this type of union is forbidden.

Please note that in Italy any provisions of your country of origin that prohibit civil unions between persons of the same sex will not be considered by the Italian town hall and every Italian authority.

Important

If your Consulate in Italy or your local authority in your home country cannot issue a nulla osta for a civil union, the required nulla osta will be replaced by a certificate of free marital status issued by a competent authority in your country of origin, or by another official document that can legally confirm your freedom of marital status.

‼️Besides, take into account there is another way out if you are not able to obtain a free marital status certificate from the authorities in your home country or a Nulla Osta at your consulate in Italy

The Revolution for Same-Sex Couples in Italy

According to the sentence of Council of State (Consiglio di Stato) expressed with the “parere n. 1352, del 21/07/2016” the parties of the union can just sign a self declaration according to “Decreto del Presidente della Repubblica 445/2000” in which they states that there are no impediments between the two partners.

‼️With regard to the nulla osta—and specifically the declaration issued by the competent authority of the applicant’s country confirming that, under the laws applicable to the citizen requesting the civil union, there is no obstacle to the union—the Italian Council of State has clarified an important point.

This provision must not be interpreted as including, within the applicable laws of the foreign citizen, those rules of their home country that prohibit same-sex civil unions.

The Council further specified that the right to establish a same-sex civil union, following the entry into force of Italian law, has become a matter of public policy. Therefore, according to Article 16 of Law No. 218 of 31 May 1995, this right prevails over any conflicting provisions of foreign legal systems.

We can say that this is a real revolution for the civil union in Italy.

Please note that not all the town halls in Italy has recognized or have a proper knowledge of the above mentioned sentence of the Council of State, hence as your wedding planner in Italy with a deep expertise of the local Municipalities we will advise you on the best and easiest way to have your civil union celebrated in Italy.

Property Regime and Surname Choice in Civil Unions in Italy

When establishing a civil union in Italy, the partners may choose between two property regimes: separation of propertyor community of property.

• If no declaration is made at the time of registration, the default regime will be the community of property.
• The partners may also decide to adopt a common surname after the civil union is celebrated. Since 2016, Italian law allows the parties to indicate one of their surnames as the shared surname of the union, which may be added to the surname of the other partner.

This declaration must be made at the time of the civil union and, for Italian citizens, results in the annotation of the surname change on the birth certificate and the update of the tax identification code.

Registration of Same-Sex Marriages and Civil Unions Celebrated Abroad

A same-sex marriage or civil union celebrated abroad—if valid under the laws of the country where it was performed—may be transcribed in Italy upon request of the parties in the Civil Unions Registry.

• The deed can be submitted to the Civil Status Officer of the municipality of residence through the Italian Diplomatic Authority where the act was issued, or delivered directly by the interested party.
• The foreign act must be translated with an official sworn translation (asseverazione) and legalized either with an apostille (if applicable) or consular legalization, in accordance with international conventions.

It is important to note:

• If a same-sex couple has already entered into a civil union or marriage abroad, they cannot repeat the establishment of a new civil union in Italy.
• Civil partnerships between opposite-sex partners cannot be transcribed in the Civil Unions Registry.

How to Obtain Italian Citizenship Through a Civil Union in Italy

Since February 11, 2017, foreign citizens have been allowed to apply for Italian citizenship through a civil union(commonly referred to as same-sex marriage in Italy). This right is recognized under Italian law, aligning the acquisition of citizenship through a civil union with the process already in place for citizenship obtained through marriage.

Timeframes for Applying for Citizenship

A foreign citizen may apply for Italian citizenship after:

• 2 years from the date of the civil union or marriage, if residing continuously in Italy for the two years following the celebration.
• 3 years from the date of the civil union or marriage, if the couple resides abroad.

If the Italian partner is a naturalized citizen, the two-year term starts from the date of the oath of citizenship combined with the date of the marriage or civil union. These timeframes are reduced by half if the couple has children together (biological or adopted).

Key Requirements to Apply for Italian Citizenship

Applicants (spouses or civil union partners) must meet the following conditions:

1. Legal and Continuous Residence
   • 2 years of residence in Italy after the marriage or civil union.
   • 3 years from the date of the union, if residing abroad.
2. Knowledge of the Italian Language (minimum B1 level) proven by one of the following:
   • A qualification issued by a public or recognized educational institution (e.g., high school diploma, bachelor’s degree).
   • A B1 CEFR language certificate issued by recognized certifying bodies: University for Foreigners of Perugia, University for Foreigners of Siena, University of Roma Tre, Dante Alighieri Society.
   • The Integration Agreement (Art. 4-bis, Legislative Decree 286/98).
   • A valid long-term EU residence permit.
3. Valid Marriage or Civil Union
   • If celebrated abroad, it must be transcribed in the Italian Civil Status Register.
   • The union must remain valid throughout the entire application process: no dissolution, annulment, legal separation, or termination of civil effects can occur.

How to Apply

If residing in Italy, the application must be submitted through the Ministry of the Interior online portal. If residing abroad, the application is made through the competent Italian Consulate, also via the Ministry of the Interior portal. Applications may be rejected if the applicant lacks the required conditions or in cases of national security concerns or final criminal convictions (as per Article 6, Law No. 91/1992).

Required Documents for the Citizenship Application

To complete the online application, you must provide:

• Legalized birth certificate with official translation (not required for those born in Italy).
• Criminal record certificate from the country of origin (and any other country of residence), legalized and translated. Valid for 6 months.
• Receipt of payment of the €250 state contribution (C/C No. 809020 – Ministry of the Interior, D.L.C.I. – Citizenship, reason: “Citizenship – contribution Art. 14 of Decree Law No. 113/2018”).
• Revenue stamp of €16.
• Valid ID (passport or identity card).
• Residence permit (for non-EU citizens) or residence certificate (for EU citizens).
• Language certificate proving knowledge of Italian (B1 or higher).
• Certificate of marriage or civil union (with translation and legalization) from the country where it was celebrated. If the surname was changed as a result of the union, a consular declaration is also required.

Written by Alessandro Pirrò
Alessandro is a former legal advisor to the Italian Government and has collaborated with leading law firms in Rome, specializing in international marriage and recognition abroad. Today, he assists foreign couples who wish to get legally married in Italy, providing expert guidance on paperwork, consular requirements, and the recognition of marriages in their home countries.

Your Legal Counselors for Same-Sex Civil Unions in Italy

Due to our experience in law firms and the foreign offices of the Italian public administration, we gained significant expertise in Consular affairs, and we are trained to solve the most complicated procedure such as:

• Marriage Nulla osta process, legalization procedure, Court hearings for the refusal of the town hall when there documents missing , legal translation, apostille procedure, emergency procedure for legalization.
• Immigration law services and consular support for non-EU citizens applying for a Schengen visa.
• Family reunification and family cohesion.
• Same-sex couples that want to celebrate a civil union in Italy when in their country the union is forbidden.
• Couples that come from countries where divorce is not allowed;
  Italians living abroadregistered at A.I.R.E. that need to recover their document to start the marriage banns in the Italian Consulate.
• Assistance with people that come from countries that do not release the nulla osta.
• American and Australian couples who needs assistance with “atto notorio” in an Italian Court or the Italian Consulate in the USA or Australia.
• People with refugee status who have requested asylum in Italy.
  
  For all other matters, please visit our FAQ section.