One of the questions we hear most often is: "how much does it really cost to obtain Italian citizenship?" The answer depends on the route you choose: administrative, judicial or maternal line (pre-1948). In this guide, we break down all the costs involved in each option.
Document Costs (Common to All Routes)
Whichever route you choose, you will need to gather Brazilian and Italian documents. These costs form the foundation of the case and include:
- Brazilian certificates (birth, marriage, death) — R$ 80 to R$ 150 each
- Full-text (long-form) versions of the certificates — R$ 50 to R$ 100 each
- CNN (Certificate of No Naturalization) — Free, but it can take months
- Sworn translation — R$ 200 to R$ 500 per document
- Hague apostille — R$ 123 per document (2024)
Families spanning many generations may have 10 to 20 documents to translate and apostille. Plan a budget of R$ 3.000 to R$ 8.000 for documents alone.
Administrative Route (Consulate)
The administrative route is handled directly at the Italian consulate in Brazil. It is the most affordable option, but the waiting queue can exceed 10 years at some consulates.
- Consular fee — €300 (approximately R$ 1.600)
- Documents — R$ 3.000 to R$ 8.000
- Legal assistance (optional) — R$ 3.000 to R$ 8.000
Estimated total: R$ 7.000 to R$ 18.000
Consulate queues can run from 6 to 12 years. Consider whether the wait is worth the money saved compared with the judicial route.
Judicial Route (Italian Court)
The judicial route is the fastest, with an average timeline of 12 to 24 months. The case is heard by an Italian court and requires a lawyer admitted to practice in Italy.
- Legal fees — R$ 15.000 to R$ 35.000
- Italian court costs — €500 to €1.500
- Documents — R$ 3.000 to R$ 8.000
- Document research in Italy — €300 to €800
Estimated total: R$ 25.000 to R$ 55.000
Maternal Line (pre-1948)
Where the line of transmission passes through a woman who had children before 1948, a specific court case is required, based on the unconstitutionality of the old Italian law.
- Legal fees — R$ 20.000 to R$ 45.000
- Court costs — €600 to €2.000
- Documents + research — R$ 4.000 to R$ 10.000
Estimated total: R$ 30.000 to R$ 65.000
Cost Comparison
| Route | Estimated Cost | Average Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative | R$ 7.000 – R$ 18.000 | 6 to 12 years |
| Judicial | R$ 25.000 – R$ 55.000 | 12 to 24 months |
| 1948 Route | R$ 30.000 – R$ 65.000 | 18 to 30 months |
"The higher cost of the judicial route pays for itself in the time saved. While the consulate queue can take a decade, a court case is resolved in less than two years."
— Dr. Tiago Dias e Dias
Conclusion: Which Route Should You Choose?
The best route depends on your budget, urgency and genealogical situation. If there is no woman in the line before 1948, the standard judicial route is the most recommended for its cost-benefit ratio. If time matters and the line passes through a woman before 1948, the 1948 judicial route is the only option.
In every case, we recommend a personalized analysis before starting the process. Every family has particular circumstances that can significantly affect costs and timelines.
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