I'm 19 years old, and I'm about to come into $25,000 USD. I am eligible for Italian citizen ship. Should I take the leap of faith?
Posted by goblinenjoyerr@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 129 comments
Hey all! Little background: Im currently about to go into my Junior year of college. I got about 5 semesters until I graduate. I currently am living in a small college town not really loving the environment, along with the school being an emotional shrug. I love my friends and I have a girlfriend who I love very much.
My parents have decided to separate and sell the house. They would be giving me and my sister each $25,000 from this sale.
My paternal grandfather immigrated from Italy to the United States, meaning he has Italian citizenship. Because of this, as I am of his lineage I am eligible for Italian citizenship. I know there have been some more heavy restrictions but as far as I know I am still eligible.
I want to know if it is worth it to travel to Italy and live there for a bit. Maybe a summer, maybe a year, maybe forever. Im just looking for the opinions of those who have immigrated or have traveled. Thanks for reading and I can't wait to hear all the advice!
Additional-Jury2293@reddit
Put all that 25K in SP500, forget it exists!! Pick up a part time job while in Uni, save some of that money. Start researching steps to claim dual citizenship. Finish your degree, congrats now you are older, wiser, have a degree from the US, your 25K have grown and you can use some of it plus the money you saved from your part time job. Finally you can move to Italy comfortably and with an ability to get a job while being closer than ever to claiming citizenship! Best of luck! Just be smart about your future!
theytookallthecash@reddit
The dual Italia/American citizenship facebook group would be a better help to you. All I can say is from the 10 years of watching on the sidelines and dragging my feet on applying until it was too late due to the laws changing-- IF you qualify, anticipate it to take at least 3-5 years and start looking for consulate appointments NOW. They go fast and are rarely available. There's lots of good info in the facebook group.
wanderingdev@reddit
that's why OP should go do it in Italy. It's 6-12 months not years.
theytookallthecash@reddit
I believe this is no longer accurate after the law change last year. IF OP qualifies, I believe they can go reside in Italy and it takes about 2 years to get citizenship. They really need to speak to a lawyer, a lot of has changed very quickly.
wanderingdev@reddit
Interesting. I didn't realize they changed that part too. But even still, 2 years in italy is a lot faster than anything that would happen in the US. If OP could figure out a school program to attend, that seems like it could be a good solution for them.
theytookallthecash@reddit
For sure. OP should use some of that $25k to hire a lawyer and start the paperwork. The paperwork part takes money and time. If they qualify, what you suggested is pretty sweet fora 19 year old. I definitely would do it if I was them.
wanderingdev@reddit
they don't even need a lawyer. i got mine without a lawyer, as did many of my friends. they may want to hire a local fixer to answer questions and translate, but if they have a clear claim, a lawyer just adds cost.
kapeman_@reddit
Also note that you should check the web site for appt openings every day at Midnight in Italy. That is when all the non-confirmed appts get removed and you should be able to grab one of those.
Been through this with student visas twice.
theytookallthecash@reddit
IDK how accurate this is because the Facebook group has people who have tried every day for literally years and that's how long it takes to get one. You can also only do the consulate for where you live. Sounds like you got lucky or that the visa appointments aren't as hard to get appointments for--those aren't as arduous as citizenship, obviously. They have to approve those fast. I got one too years and years ago, I don't remember being an issue.
kapeman_@reddit
Maybe there is a difference between appointment types.
mikepi1999@reddit
Get the dual citizenship. It really doubles your options going forward. You can look at EU colleges and jobs without any immigration restrictions while retaining your US citizenship as a back stop. Do it and don’t look back worth every dime.
Existing-Victory1536@reddit
Invest your $25k, finish school, get your joint citizenship and then travel for the summer before moving fully
Consistent_Band_8252@reddit
This is the best advice here! OP, you can travel to Italy pretty cheap, or live there even. Don't blow that money on this. If you want to got to Italy look into workaway.info or wwoof.com. But finish school and invest that money!
orbital@reddit
This would be my advice. Invest it in a good mutual fund and pretend it doesn’t exist.
boredg@reddit
Please don't. Mutual funds are not the choice here. Choose an ETF instead.
wanderingdev@reddit
for the purposes of this timeline and goal, they're similar enough to not really matter. the difference between VFINX and VOO aren't so much that it'll make much impact.
chiguy@reddit
VFINX isn’t a mutual fund tho. It’s an index fund.
wanderingdev@reddit
that doesn't mean it's not a mutual fund. a mutual fund is a type of fund structure. not what's held within the fund. vanguard (and all other major brokerages that have funds) has mutual funds for all the major indices. What do you think people invested in before ETFs were created?
Alifirebrand@reddit
Meh. I'd personally put $7k per year (or whatever the max is in the future) into a Roth IRA so that money grows tax free for the next 30+ years.
chiguy@reddit
Sure, but putting money into a Roth IRA doesn’t do anything unless you invest it into something like… an etf
Alifirebrand@reddit
Most of the time Roth IRAs use mutual funds, not ETFs. At 19 I'd personally recommend a target date retirement fund so it will rebalance automatically as you age.
chiguy@reddit
Most Roth IRAs allow you to choose.
A target date fund will significantly underperform the market. You could easily sell VOO in 20 years then invest in a target date fund if you wanted auto-rebalancing but rebalancing isn’t really necessary for 15 or 20 years.
And etfs will have a lower expense ratio nearly all the time compared to mutual fund tho
Alifirebrand@reddit
I know this doesn't sound like a fun thing but OMG yes. If someone gave me $25k at 19 I'd have so much more money right now if I invested it.
Glitchinthematrix373@reddit
How old are you now?
1MechanicalAlligator@reddit
"What is a weird question to ask a stranger online?", Alex.
Team503@reddit
I strongly second this. You can even do a semester abroad program, OP!
Prestigious-Try4702@reddit
I can help with legalization for $15,000
UkkosenjumalanPoika@reddit
Nobody will rent you ha home without a job, and you will find no job without knowing italian
Eurosdollarsyens@reddit
I have dual Italian-USA citizenship and I did just that when I was 29. I bought a one way ticket to Milan, starting language school and saw how I liked it. I have traveled throughout Italy in the years prior to living there (Rome, Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Bari, Puglia, Sicily, etc)
I loved living in Italian culture and lifestyle however I missed my friends and family too much to decide to fully commit to living there. If i could pick up everyone I love and move them to Italy, I would in a heartbeat. That being said, having enough Italian to get by is easy but making Italian friends and the language barrier was tough. It was frustrating to not have enough language to tell a funny story or fully understand jokes. Culture is very different too. My family is from the south and folks in the north look down on where my family was from. One person even told me I shouldn't tell people I was from the village I was from bc "it didnt make sense, since i seem like a intelligent person"
Definitely invest the 25k and travel around Italy for a few weeks or during a summer. Try to see as much of the country as possible but remembering vacationing somewhere and the realities of living there are quite different. DM me if you have more specific questions!
dabears91@reddit
Invest it, live poor where you are. You are young. That 25k at your age will let you take risks others won’t be able to.
Historical_Rip_1848@reddit
I would definitely secure your citizenship while you can! Laws change all the time. Whether you travel or move right now isn't the question, do that first, then see where you're at.
makeme6988@reddit
THIS THIS THIS THIS
https://impatria.com/en/magazine/1-euro-houses-italy-foreigners/
michyoss@reddit
Sounds like you’re already going through some significant life changes. I suggest weathering this through before deciding your next move.
Good friends and partner aren’t things to take for granted, and $25k realistically is just an extended vacation. You could finish college and take a gap year. You could move in with your girlfriend to a new place. You could decide to move to a larger city. Maybe make a plan for you and her to try some time abroad together.
All are possible. Blowing $25k on a Eurotrip is fun but just assess your options to find what makes the most sense. Don’t hail mary your current life.
Successful_Smell_589@reddit
Take the citizenship first it's a long term asset even if you never move there permanently you can always decide later whether italy is a chapter or just an option
Old-Bandicoot-5272@reddit
I can’t imagine Italy is any good as all I’ve heard is it has a poor performance economy. Certainly get the degree as I’m sure there’s a strict divide between those with and without degree in such a job market, as well as those who do or do not speak Italian. You could probably move there without the degree and work some manual labor jobs
freighttrainmatt@reddit
Invest now. Finish school. Travel to Italy and then decide if you want to live there or somewhere else even. You are young. While 25k isn’t enough to live forever it’ll help you plant a seed wherever you decide to be.
Mindless-Shine-2527@reddit
If you qualify for citizenship, your quickest route would be to go live in Italy for 2 years as a resident. As a descendant of an Italian citizen you would qualify for the fast track of 2 years, instead of the usual 10 year residency period. Gather up your paperwork and just go to Italy if you are truly serious about citizenship and living there, instead of maybe trying to obtain a passport of convenience to access Europe as many others have done in the past. Italy and many other EU nations have tightened-up and restricted many citizenship applications due to this issue. Waiting for consulate appointments and having paperwork go back and forth will take years currently. I obtained dual Canadian/Italian citizenship by living in Italy for 2 years as both my parents were Italian citizens but I was born in Canada. I had no issues obtaining Italian citizenship going this route and enjoyed my time there as I have many more relatives in Italy than I do in Canada. Ultimately, living in Italy permanently was not for me and I'm currently back in Canada now. However, it was a great experience and a real eye-opener as to how life in Italy and surrounding countries really is like. Maybe you will fall in love with the country and stay there, maybe not??. Living there for 2 years will allow you to form your own opinion on how to proceed. Best of luck to you in the future!..
Glittering_Team_2181@reddit
Please finish your degree. Going back to school later on REALLY sucks. Just get it out of the way so you have some skills to offer the world. Invest the 25k in an index fund like VOO and decide what you want to do after graduation.
Medlarmarmaduke@reddit
Get your citizenship now as a matter of urgency- laws are changing and restrictions are growing. Start becoming fluent in Italian. Invest the 25 thou in either an eft or the best rate cd you can get if you want to play it super safe.
Then take a year after college and move to Italy with your new citizenship and travel and pick up seasonal work here and there to stretch your budget.
anniebarlow@reddit
Figure it out how to do from where you live. Call the embassy. Mine was all done from Brazil and embassy
Acceptable_Usual1646@reddit
Do it!! You never know when you need a second passport in this crazy world
unwilling_viewer@reddit
Make sure your degree is transferable/useful/valid in Italy. No point having a degree that you can't use.
No_Elk_1945@reddit
Finish study, get the citizenship.
Forget these talks about throwing the money at the stockmarket.
If you have anything left after studying and the paperwork, take a leap of faith and try your luck in Italy or somewhere else in Europe.
mmoonbelly@reddit
Graduate first. Then move.
LeneHansen1234@reddit
Why pay for expensive American education and then move to a lower salary country like Italy?
wanderingdev@reddit
absolutely get your citizenship. It gives so many options. If you want to live in Italy, start studying Italian now. Living there will be the quickest way to citizenship if you are in the US as it can take years getting it done in the US and is much faster directly in italy. There are some FB groups to join where you can learn more about the best/worst places to do this. It's unlikely you woul be able to work while you're in italy waiting for citizenship and $25k sounds like a lot, but it's not a TON. I would start saving more to pad it out, start learning italian now, and look into universities in Italy where you could continue your education while your citizenship processes, which would also help with visa stuff.
TxOkLaVaCaTxMo@reddit
Yes
Physical_Clock_8938@reddit
Rules for citizenship had changed recently. You are probably no longer eligible.
This is as far as I know, but do your own research,
NemuriNezumi@reddit
living there as a tourist is way different than living there as a worker or student
you might like the freedom that much money gives you. but it is a whole other story when you have to live life there
also, university in Italy is no way similar to university in the US in came you choose to go that path, so be warned
disegna91@reddit
never hurts to have an extra citizenship :- )
Cojemos@reddit
Maybe you forgot about taxes. If you were a billionaire you'd be ok because you'd be taxed almost nothing on that $25K But since you're not imagine you are in a 20-25% tax bracket like the regaular folks.
saartemaster@reddit
It’s not. It’s absolutely not. Italy has no perspectives whatsoever to offer, you’d be better off saving that money.
Focus on your degree and save that money!
Both__@reddit
$25k is not a lot of money, tbh. You could blow that in a few months easily. However, $25k invested at age 19 would be a lot of money due to compounding interest. Look up the best ways to invest your money and watch it double, triple, quadruple, etc. in front of your eyes - you won’t regret it.
Kid_de_Voyage@reddit
If you get Italian citizenship, you will have the right to live and work in any European Union member state. In many countries, it is also possible to study for free. You could first see if you can get the citizenship and then start applying for jobs in the EU countries, so you wouldn't be burning through your money. For example, it might be hard finding a job in Italy if you don't speak Italian, but in Ireland you wouldn't encounter the same challenge.
NoMansCat@reddit
A EU citizenship is always useful.
It gives you the right to move into any of the 27 member states.
Jolly_Conflict@reddit
That’s a nice little windfall! But sadly $25k doesn’t go very far. You’d have to budget carefully especially if you wanted to relocate to a HCOL part of Italy.
Powerful-Oil-6592@reddit
Well that amount it's not too far from a 1 year net yearly income of an average Italian, if not above. So assuming op pays only for the trip and a suitcase shall survive at least a year in a Co housing
Pure-Ant791@reddit
When you put it in yearly income terms like that, it really shows how much lifestyle and priorities shape what feels “reasonable” or not.
SeanBourne@reddit
As others have pointed out, $25K now doesn’t go very far, BUT (I cannot stress this coming point enough), $25K invested at 19 years of age will be MASSIVE decades down the track.
Put it into a low fee etf (VTI is very low fee and gives exposure to the entire US stock market), and don’t touch it.
bbbberlin@reddit
Invest the money is something really boring like an ETF.
If you travel, do it cheap, one of the advantages of Italy is that travel there can be cheap (but it's also easy to blow money on expensive things like anywhere else) - the Dolomites are very much worth seeing.
If you want to go to Italy longer-term, have a plan: i.e. enroll in a language school for 6 months, plan on getting a part-time job to suppliment your income and don't draw down savings the whole time, etc. If you try to live off those savings entirely I think they will only last 1 year, when the alternative is stretching them to be a nice trip + the necessary safety net for having a good life as a young professional. You always want to have at least half a years worth of savings to shield you from job loss, etc., and that's the first thing people build up before saving for houses, cars, immigrating, etc., and you are in the fortunate enough position to have that from the start instead of needing to work for a few years. Keep that buffer, you always need to have a buffer.
Guillermo1810@reddit
Hi, if you apply from for the citizenship not from Italy, it will take a long time. I don't have super fresh experience, just kind of. Our friend from Brazil was the same, grandpa was Italian (he passed couple years ago, but was still alove when he applied). They applied (my friend and his dad), spent around 5k euro for a lawyer. The approval was "quick" I guess, maybe 13 months (this was summer of 2024).
HOWEVER the bureaucracy after was crazy long! It had to go to different agencies, census, judge, notary, etc all of them had 60 days to react, which they took. He was able to pick his passport (and finally work in Europe without a separate visa) this year!!! Until that point, he still worked in my country (Hungary) with his Brazilian passport+working visa. Until that point even tough he had the approval, he was eligible for nothing. So just apply and buy the time you finish collage you will have your documents ready. Then you can decide, maybe get a job there or any EU country and enjoy the perks. It's not like you go to Italy, submit it, and a month later you are set. It is long. Hire a lawyer for tje citizenship and invest the rest of the money.
Hutcho12@reddit
Are you thinking about doing a 4 week vacation to Italy? Because that’s what 25k will get you, and you won’t need an Italian passport to do it.
Lambamham@reddit
Please don’t blow that $25k!! This is a huge gift for your older self. You can move to another country with very little and have an amazing time.
If you must use the money - limit yourself to using $5k and invest the rest. Get a trustworthy financial advisor (they often cost 1% of your portfolio or around that, so very affordable).
If you never invest another dollar, that $20k could be worth nearly a million by the time you’re 60.
Curious_Owl_342@reddit
So true. It’s hard to imagine 60 years old at 19, but it’s such a great point.
Character-File3221@reddit
If I were you, I’d invest that 25k, use no more than 5k for a trip or setup costs for your life in general, get that citizenship app going, and find a job wherever you land.
Not-Amused1234@reddit
I think like most here that OP should invest the money, but I 100% agree that they should put aside ~$5k to be used as fun money. A 19 year old sitting on $25K is dangerous without a little leeway.
Curious_Owl_342@reddit
Very true. I am actually surprised the parents don’t invest the money for them. I wouldn’t have invested at 19 😂
Ok-Sandwich-8032@reddit
You should do it : meaning your citizienship, get yourself a job (small student job) in the south of Italy (prbly where your gpop came from/yes you can still find small paying job in bakery/food industry/wine) learn italian/dialetto. Its gonna be the most life changing move of your life.
toomany_questions@reddit
I think the pathway to citizenship still takes time even if eligible. Like it could be many months or year(s). Why not get your dual citizenship while finishing your degree? Then you can apply to grad school anywhere in the EU if you’re granted citizenship to Italy
Oddly-Specific-Point@reddit
Get your joint citizenship how; invest and go to school
Stock_Fly3825@reddit
Don’t waste your $25.000, invest it. The cutizen process can be done in the US via Italian embassy..will take longer than going to Italy but at least you won’t lose money. $25.000 is not much and it would go away quickly..so make sure you take a wise decision. Good luck!
Frosteas@reddit
What to invest in tho
Stock_Fly3825@reddit
Go to your bank and have a chat
Not-Amused1234@reddit
At 19, probably the S&P 500. Open an IRA and brokerage with either Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab. If OP is working, max out the IRA then put the rest in a brokerage.
AaronDoud@reddit
Some thoughts
First 100% get your Italian citizenship. With an easy path and being relatively young this should be your first focus.
If it is easier to do in Italy than consider that but for now I would stay where you are during this process. The money can help with any costs that come up.
Second $25k is both a lot and nothing. Depending on where and how you live that is 1 or 2 years max of living expenses. Personally I would not touch it for now unless you have a real plan for what you will use it for and why. Sure use it to help get citizenship like I mentioned. But beyond that hold out till you know your path forward.
Third consider what EU citizenship means and weigh where you want to live. Italian citizenship but only know English might be better off in Ireland for example. Do your research before you leap.
Fourth I would finish your degree. Two years left. Do that while getting your citizenship and doing some research on various EU nations and cities.
Basically you have two years to get citizenship and research while you finish off your degree.
Side Note: If you are going into debt for your degree you may want to research if it makes more sense to transfer into an EU school. Figure out the costs (maybe even free) plus what will transfer over from your first two years. If it make sense then you pause college and as soon as you have your EU citizenship (maybe before?) you go there to finish your degree.
redditaccount760@reddit
Before you decide to move, learn the language. It will make it a lot easier.
Pecncorn1@reddit
Invest that money or put it in a HYSA and pretend like it doesn't exist until you have time to process having it. Do you speak Italian? If not moving to a place you don't know would be a fools bet. Hold steady where you are and take a trip to Italy in the summer, stay in one place for a month or two then make an informed decision. 25K won't go far anywhere these days much less be enough to start a life in a place you don't know.
i-love-freesias@reddit
Do the math on how much money you would have when you turn 65, if you put that money into a compounding savings account and never touched it.
Humble_Interest_9048@reddit
Yes.
moonangeles@reddit
Graduate first
Tall_Acanthaceae2475@reddit
You may no longer be eligible, so the question may be moot: "The announcement will be a devastating blow for those who believed the court would uphold Italy’s 160-year history of citizenship by descent, or ius sanguinis."
https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/14/travel/italy-citizenship-law-restrictions-constitutional-court
theytookallthecash@reddit
This is not entirely accurate but I don't have all of OP's details. This cut people off at the great grandparent level. OP may still qualify because her grandparent was from there. The new last limit it to parent or grandparent.
puppylovenyc@reddit
Grandparents absolutely do qualify you for citizenship, even with the new rules. HOWEVER, it is a process and not a quick one.
theytookallthecash@reddit
Yes, I would anticipate that if OP started today, the shortest time they would have it in is about 5 years. I've read that moving to Italy helps speed up the process. Either way, they'll be 5 years older so might as well at least start on it.
For others reading, the most important part is the consulate appointment. These are highly competitive and can take 1+ year to get and then be a few years out. Start on the appointment, even if you decide not to go through with it.
puppylovenyc@reddit
And gather your documents! There is a Facebook group and subreddits to help you on your way.
theytookallthecash@reddit
I got an immigration lawyer to do what I'm doing for Lithuania. For Italy, there's a lot of law firms that have cropped up around Americans getting Italian citizenship. I would only go with options highly recommended by the facebook group I mentioned.
puppylovenyc@reddit
I agree. My (adopted) dad was an Italian citizen. My (adopted) grandparents were born in Italy. The Facebook group has tons of info and recommendations. It won’t be cheap even if he does it himself. But research and patience are his biggest assets right now.
theytookallthecash@reddit
The best advice I can give is just to start. The laws might change, as well. I wish I had started when I learned about it 10+ years ago. I could have had my citizenship but I dragged my feet and then the laws changed.
Equivalent-Code-1970@reddit
I used a Italian Law Firm, it wasn't cheap and it took nearly 6 years.
theytookallthecash@reddit
You can do it yourself but it takes a long time. I'm very happy I got a lawyer for my process, but since less people pursue it for Lithuania (there's less of a diaspora), it's more affordable. 6 years sounds average.
hanterloar@reddit
The grandparent must have be exclusively Italian (not a dual citizen) for him to qualify now also
Equivalent-Code-1970@reddit
Prior to 1992, Italy didn't recognize dual citizenship. So the only way it can be passed down is naturalization happened after the child was born.
theytookallthecash@reddit
Yes, there are a tons of ins and outs. I would recommend OP skip the advice of this sub and go to the Italian/American Dual Citizenship Facebook group. They are basically expert-level at this stuff.
Lanky_Ad_9605@reddit
This. Very recent.
But whether or not this qualifies / disqualifies you - definitely worth living there for a bit before maybe a huge decision. Visiting somewhere and living there are totally different. I’d get to study abroad there if possible, but if not then I’d spend the summer before your final two semesters there. Language schools are also a great way to still have a purpose.
Competitive-Leg-962@reddit
Get the citizenship regardless, helps setting you up for the future. For traveling, 25k is a ton. If you plan to immigrate, I'd get your language skills up to speed first and at the same time maybe learn a trade - carpentry, welding, plumbing etc. - are in demand in Europe; graduate positions are few and far between.
Also note that associate's degrees don't exist in the EU, so if you still want to go the graduate route, get a bachelor's minimum and then maybe do a master's in Italy.
Equivalent-Code-1970@reddit
I'm a dual US and Italian citizen (recently recognized), I had to go via the 1948 rule because one of my ancestors naturalized.
I would first pull documents to validate your chain and whether anyone naturalized. If your father was born before your grandfather naturalized, citizenship passed down to you, if he naturalized before your father was born, the chain is broken and you cannot use him, but you can possibly use your grandmother IF she was born in Italy and never naturalized prior or after marriage. The 1948 rule steps in, of course there are other specifics that you did not list on your chain that could impact a 1948 case eligibility.
The tajani decree doesn't impact those with italian born grandparents.
boundlessbio@reddit
r/juresanguinis is where you want to ask about eligibility
ResponsibleDirt7094@reddit
25k is not nearly enough to get you far. But it is a fantastic starting point for an emergency fund (minimum of 6 months of living expenses sitting somewhere liquid) and an investment account. Investing responsibility and letting compound interest do its job will help you make a move more realistic in the medium term.
CarliniFotograf@reddit
You need to do more Research. I’ve already been down this road. Your grandfather would need have Italian citizenship when your father was born. If your grandfather already immigrated to the US before your father was born, and became a US citizen, then you are not eligible. Also 25k is not going to last, especially cause you will need to come to Italy and hire an immigration lawyer.
Slap5Fingers@reddit
Might as well go for the dual citizenship - having an EU passport and an American passport is prob like the ultimate combo
Soulnomad1955@reddit
It may be a big adjustment for awhile, but if you are open minded, I think that you will love it. I spent a short time there in the 70s, and it was awesome. The food alone is worth it, and the architecture is magnificent. Italy is such a big country, and there are many different parts of it. If you don't like one area, move to another. Just so you know, northern Italy is quite a bit different from southern Italy. Get a tourist guide. It will help you a lot.
Human_Revolution7297@reddit
Stay focused- stay in school Finish then go to Italy. $25k is not a lot but if you budget correctly it will go a long way. With a degree your chances of landing a nice role with higher pay will go up. Good luck!
Kiluxxe@reddit
Yes
slappy_mcslapenstein@reddit
If you're eligible then do it. It never hurts to have options. Especially in the current political climate of the states. I'm in the process of getting my UK citizenship, myself.
BIGplouf@reddit
Get the Italian passport ASAP. Finish school and you can make the leap to move to Italy (or anywhere in Europe) later on. Good luck bro
CptPatches@reddit
Here's a thing to consider: if you're eligible for citizenship by descent, you don't necessarily need to move immediately. You can always hold onto that passport until you're ready.
But also, having a citizenship with any EU country opens you up to the rest of the continent.
I say go for it personally.
HylanderUS@reddit
Personally I'd say get out of school before you throw too much money away, but most people will tell you differently. I'd take about 5k of that money to stay in Italy for a season (~2-3 months) and see how you like it. In the meantime, invest the remaining money 75%/25% in a mutual fund/a stock you like and let that money work for you while you figure it out.
Chris_Reddit_PHX@reddit
Honestly, no. $25k sounds like a lot at age 19, but in the scheme of things, it really isn't enough to sustain you for very long.
Constant_Industry472@reddit
Im gonna be honest, even when they didnt land my way, I never regretted the leap. If nothing else you will have one hell of a story to tell.
Fantastic-Tip9801@reddit
You should be able to get your citizenship while still in college. If your school is not paid for, use the $25K towards any student loans you may have. If you dont have any student debt, and wanna move to EU, it will be decent seed money but you will still need to get a real job there to make ends meet or you will run out of cash pretty fast. $25k in cash is not that much, however $25k in debt is...
honestlydontcare4u@reddit
Did you paternal grandfather naturalize, when did he naturalize if he did, and when was your father born? Also, what about you paternal grandmother?
CommunicationNew906@reddit
In my opinion you should do it but remember as an Italian citizen you can live and work wherever you want in the EU so you have a lot more options than Italy depending on what you are looking for
phillyphilly19@reddit
Do you speak Italian? Do you actually think you're going to get a job there because the reality is you probably won't unless you are in some super specialized feel that they do not have enough of over there. Depending on your type of work, if you had Italian, your best bet would be to find a job with an American company that has offices there after you get your citizenship. The 25,000 isn't going to do anything except help you with hiring someone to get you the citizenship.
Icy-Beautiful-353@reddit
Yes
clairexxxooo@reddit
If you can, travel to italy for a few weeks, even better if you can stay in one city that you may be interested in living in to get a feel for it, maybe meet some people and make connections. Come back to finish your degree in the meantime starting to figure out the citizenship process, and maybe decide if you would like to pursue a master degree or some other program over there, and if everyhting falls into place, then make the move.
If you decide to move, I would advise moving either with a remote job already or to attend uni (in some form, whether it's language school or a full degree). The job market is just as rough as it is in the US, even more so if you're new to the country and / or don't speak italian, so I wouldn't rely on just moving here with italian citizenship and immediately getting hired. 25K can be stretched far in italy depending on your lifestyle but it's important to keep in mind how you can stay once that runs out.
If you don't decide to move, the travel is 100% worth it. I fell in love with this country on study abroad back in 2021 during the Temple University summer program in Rome, traveled around, met my current partner and decided to move to Italy in 2023 for a master degree and have been here since.
ponpiriri@reddit
Invest your money and finish school. Maybe do a study abroad and see how you feel. Don't go blowing your windfall
beginswithanx@reddit
Finish your degree first, invest the money while you do. 25K seems like a LOT when you’re young, but without proper management and investment it will disappear quickly.
Once you’ve finished college, see if you can get dual citizenship and sure travel around, take a gap year, whatever. But get that degree done first, it will open up a lot more options for you.
thomsenite256@reddit
Check again on italian citizenship. the laws JUST changed.
Rev-Dr-Slimeass@reddit
You should get that passport ASAP but hold off till you finish university.
After that $25,000 is more than enough to get started in a new country. I see some others saying it isn't, but if you are happy to have flatmates, you'll do alright. I moved to New Zealand on about $5,000 and did alright.
LovelySweethearts@reddit
Do it.
ShimmeryPumpkin@reddit
What exactly is your desired timeline here? It's not clear from your post. You will likely have graduated college by the time your Italian citizenship processes. I would do a study abroad semester before graduating to see if you like it there. Remember living somewhere is different than vacation, and a summer or even a year just living without working is a vacation. At least with study abroad you are doing school work.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
Personally I think going to live in another country for a few months to 1 year is a HUGE waste of money. If you want to live there forever, I think this is a fine way to spend your money.
If you just go for the summer or 1 year, you're throwing away $25k for a very expensive vacation.
You should be realistic with yourself about how far this money will actually go. If you choose to go for 1 year, $25k will probably get you to Italy, and it will help you establish yourself in an apartment, pay for your upfront costs (deposit, first month rent, etc), buy all your necessities, and help you furnish your apartment. After that you'll probably have very little of it left.
Or you could pay more money for a furnished apartment, you'll probably spend the same amount.
Personally, I would use the money on a downpayment for a house in the country where you currently live.
SaltyPiglette@reddit
Why not?
Do you speak Italian? If not, go there and spend a few months learning the language and getting to know the culture.
If you can land a job there, great! Then you can stay longer.
U_feel_Me@reddit
If things in the US get worse, an Italian passport might be very nice to have.
I would spend some money to try to get the Italian citizenship. Then maybe do a year of study abroad to learn some of the language. No other big decisions necessary now.
Pan_Duh_Pan_Duh@reddit
If you don’t have any debts now, I’d look into some time of investment of a small amount (2-5k). Even an IRA, or high yield savings account. Something I regret not doing when I had a windfall of roughly the same amount. I did use it to go to school in Japan, and it was great. But could’ve done a few small things differently, and I’d have a nest egg growing.
Icy-Maybe-9043@reddit
Finish the degree. Enrich your mind. Learn to think and then move if hou want and can get a better paying job. Italy still values degrees.
The_Dutchess-D@reddit
Yes. to applying for Italian citizenship. Getting an EU passport is a fabulous idea for you and your family in the future.
Regarding the 25K, you don't need to worry about what to spend that on right now. And you could probably find a semester abroad program in Italy (or summer abroad) and make the trial period of living in Italy happen without having to spend your $25K. Most schools offer it and if you're particular School does not offer it there are communal programs that people can sign up for regardless of what undergraduate school. They are attending as long as they are attending AN undergraduate institution
Background-Lab-9732@reddit
Go! Education in Italy is WONDERFUL.
MrKamikazi@reddit
It is certainly worth investigating possible citizenship. On the other hand at your age uprooting to travel to another country without a job offer in hand feels very risky. If you speak fluent Italian it might be worth it but even then I wouldn't attempt to move permanently until you were in the process of getting citizenship.