Key facts
| Italian descendants | More than a million Uruguayans are estimated to have Italian ancestry. |
|---|---|
| Entering Italy | Visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area. |
| ETIAS | No confirmed start date yet (the EU postponed it; expected in 2027). |
| Apostille | Uruguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| Italian consulate | Consular section of the Italian Embassy in Montevideo. |
| Social security | Italy–Uruguay bilateral agreement to combine contributions. |
| Driving licence | Italy and Uruguay signed a new licence recognition agreement in July 2026; we confirm when it enters into force. |
| Working holiday | Not on Italy's official list of agreements. |
Italian citizenship for Uruguayans in 2026
Since 28 March 2025 (Decree-Law 36/2025, Law 74/2025), people born abroad who hold another citizenship only qualify for Italian citizenship by descent if:
- they filed the application or court case by 27 March 2025; or
- a parent or grandparent holds, or held at death, only Italian citizenship; or
- an Italian parent lived in Italy for 2 continuous years after becoming a citizen and before the applicant's birth.
In 2026 the Constitutional Court upheld the reform (judgment 63/2026) and then referred questions to the EU Court of Justice (order 147/2026), so the issue is still open. The Court of Cassation (Joint Sections, judgment 24045/2026) resolved the minor issue favourably: a minor born in a jus soli country did not lose Italian citizenship when the parent naturalised. This matters a lot for cases filed before 2025.
For cases filed in Montevideo before the reform, we follow up and appeal delays or refusals.
Other ways to live in Italy
- Residence, then citizenship: 2 years of legal residence if a parent or grandparent was an Italian citizen by birth.
- Work (Decreto Flussi or EU Blue Card), study, digital nomad and elective residence.
- With an Italian passport: free movement in the EU and a residence card for your Uruguayan family.
Uruguayan documents
| Document | Where |
|---|---|
| Birth, marriage and death certificates | General Directorate of Civil Registry |
| Proof of non-naturalisation (legal citizenship) | Electoral Court (Corte Electoral) |
| Criminal record | Ministry of the Interior (National Police) |
| Apostille | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Frequently asked questions
Is the new driving licence agreement already in force?
It was signed in July 2026 and still has to enter into force. We'll let you know when Uruguayan licences can be converted without an exam.
Can I combine my Uruguayan contributions for a pension in Italy?
Yes, the bilateral social security agreement allows it, subject to the conditions of each case.
Do I need a visa to go to Italy?
Not for tourism up to 90 days. To live, work or study you need the corresponding visa.
Last updated: 2026-10-23. This guide is general information and does not replace a lawyer's advice on your specific case. Italian immigration rules change often.