Parents can apply for Italian citizenship on behalf of an adopted child in the following instances:
- if the foreign minor is adopted by an Italian national through an order of the relevant Italian Authority;
- if the adoption is pronounced abroad and subsequently endorsed by means of an order (issued by a Juvenile Court in Italy) requesting that it be registered in the relevant Italian Town Hall (Registry Office).
Adoptees over 18 years of age may acquire Italian citizenship by naturalisation, provided they spend at least 5 years registered as resident in Italy after the date of adoption.