The Citizenship Dilemma: Understanding the Long-Term Residents of Italy Ahead of the Upcoming Referendum
As Italy prepares for a referendum on June 8-9 that could significantly alter the path to citizenship for non-European Union foreigners, the focus remains largely on the implications for an estimated 17 million potential applicants. The proposed reduction of the residency requirement from ten years to five years poses critical questions about who these individuals are, what challenges they face, and how their lives are shaped by their current status.
While many estimates suggest that a multitude could benefit from this change, there exists a substantial gap in public knowledge regarding the demographics and personal stories of long-term residents. These individuals, characterized by their residency permits, are often employed in various sectors such as agriculture, commerce, construction, and domestic care, yet they lack many of the rights afforded to citizens.
According to the IDOS research center, a considerable portion of long-term residents reside in Northern Italy, particularly in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Piedmont, which collectively account for a significant percentage of those who could immediately apply for citizenship should the referendum favor the change. Notably, over 371,000 people in Lombardy alone stand to gain, highlighting regional disparities in both residency and citizenship statuses.
Yet, this demographic often faces poverty and exclusion, with 40.1% of foreigners at risk of poverty in 2023, compared to 20.7% of Italians. With an average salary of 16,392 euros per year, non-EU foreign workers earn substantially less than their Italian counterparts. Financial constraints further complicate their applications for citizenship, as they must meet strict income thresholds to initiate the process, thereby leaving many in precarious situations.
In 2023, approximately 70% of those who obtained citizenship did so after years of documented residency. Still, many long-term residents, such as tales shared by K and E, reveal the challenges and barriers within Italy’s bureaucratic system. Their experiences highlight a profound sense of limbo; they navigate a complex landscape of paperwork and legal requirements that can stretch the ability to obtain citizenship into decades.
The narrative of K, who after more than two decades in Italy is still waiting for citizenship, underscores the emotional toll that delays and bureaucratic inertia can impose. When the process depends not just on an individual's history but also on family income and stability, it illuminates the broader implications on families and minors who find themselves deprived of citizenship rights despite having grown up in Italy.
Currently, minors born to foreign parents in Italy must wait until they turn 18 to claim citizenship—a rule that has generated inequalities and emotional distress among young people who feel Italian in every way except legally. E’s story, recounting her struggles with documentation and the feeling of being treated as an outsider despite her integration into Italian life, raises critical questions about the long-term impacts of citizenship processes on youth.
As Italy grapples with these realities in light of the upcoming referendum, the ramifications stretch beyond mere statistics. At stake is the future of many individuals who have long contributed to Italian society but continue to live in a state of uncertainty. This referendum represents not just a legislative decision but a profound acknowledgment of the experiences of those who have made Italy their home, illuminating their fight for belonging in a country they call their own.
Ultimately, the votes cast on June 8-9 will determine not only the bureaucratic landscape for many but also the lives of thousands who seek the recognition and rights that citizenship confers in Italy. It is a critical moment for the nation to reflect on the values that define its identity and its commitment to those who strive for integration and belonging.
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