Information concerning the protection and processing of personal data in relation to the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis or to the acquisition by naturalisation (Articles 5, 7 and 9, paragraph 1, point c, and Article 2 of the Law no. 91/1992)
(The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, Article 13 and 14)
The processing of personal data for the purpose of the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis or, in some cases, of the acquisition by naturalisation (marriage, service abroad or special merits) must follow principles of lawfulness, fairness and transparency, in respect of the rights and fundamental freedoms of the individuals.
In this regard, the following information is provided:
1.Data Controllers
The Italian Authority responsible for processing the data is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic (MAECI), which operates in conjunction with Italian municipalities or with the Italian Ministry of Interior. MAECI acts here through the Consulate General of Italy in London – Harp House, 83-86 Farringdon Street, London EC4 4BL, Telephone: 02079365900; email: Cittadinanza.londra@esteri.it; pec: con.londra.cittadinanza@cert.esteri.it.
2.Data Protection Officer
For further information or to report a concern, you can contact the Personal Data Protection Officer of MAECI (postal address: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Piazzale della Farnesina 1, 00135 ROME, telephone: 0039 06 36911 (switch board), email: rpd@esteri.it, pec: rpd@cert.esteri.it).
3.Personal Data Processed
- Recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis: personal data (name, surname, date and place of birth, address of residence), contact information, civil status and family status, family ancestry, handwritten signature, copy of identity document, request form for the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis.
- Acquisition of Italian citizenship by naturalization: personal data (name, surname, date and place of birth, address of residence), family status, Original Criminal Record of the country of origin and any third countries of residence, copy of passport, request form for the acquisition of citizenship, Certificate of Italian language knowledge.
4.Data collection and legal framework
The processing of personal data is limited to the sole purpose of the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis, in accordance with Article 1, 2, 3, 4 Law no. 91 of 5 February 1992, or of the acquisition of the citizenship by marriage (Articles 5 and 7 of the same Law), for service abroad (Article 9, paragraph 1, point c) or for special merits (Article 9, paragraph 2). With regard to the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis, the legal framework includes the civil code of 1865 and Articles 1 and 7 of the Law no. 555 of 13 June 1912, for what concerns checks on the possession of Italian citizenship by the ancestors of the applicant.
In this respect, the collection of personal data is a legal requirement which is necessary when receiving an application. In case of applications for the recognition of citizenship iure sanguinis, this requirement is confirmed by the Circular of the Ministry of Interior no. k.28.1, dated 8 April 1991, whilst in case of acquisition by naturalisation it is confirmed by Article 1, DPR no. 362 of 18 April 1994, Regulation on the procedures of acquisition of Italian citizenship.
5.Processing methods
All data shall be processed by authorised staff and shall be handled both manually and by automated means. Consequently, the applicant will not be subject to a decision-making process based solely on an automated processing of the personal data.
6.Transfer of data
In case of applications for the recognition of citizenship iure sanguinis, the data will be transferred to the Italian municipality in charge of the registration, in accordance with Article 17, DPR no. 396 of 3 November 2000. In case of litigation, the data may be transferred to the State General Attorney Office.
In the case of applications for naturalisation, the data will be also transferred to the Italian Ministry of Interior.
Furthermore, data may be sent to Italian Authorities abroad in order to verify the authenticity of certificates and documents produced by the applicant.
7.Data Storage
The data will be stored indefinitely for legal certainty and for certificate issuance purposes.
8.Rights of the applicant
In accordance with the current legislation, all individuals have the right to access and possibly rectify any personal data kept about them. Within the limits set by the law and considering the consequences on the follow up of the administrative process, the applicants can also request to restrict or oppose the processing of their data. In this regard, all requests must be addressed to the Consulate General of Italy in London and for information to the Personal Data Protection Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
9.Complaints
Every individual has the right to lodge a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Officer of the Ministry if they think that their rights have been violated. Alternatively, they can contact the Guarantor for the Personal Data Protection (Piazza Venezia 11, 00187 ROMA; tel. 0039 06 696771 (centralino); peo: protocollo@gpdp.it; pec: protocollo@pec.gpdp.it).
(Last updated: February 2023)