The Italian Dream: My Family's Journey to Citizenship

I had no idea that my family and I could apply for Italian citizenship recognition until my younger sister made the leap abroad and went through the process for herself. At first, I thought she was crazy! We had lived in the same midwest city for generations. The branches of our large Italian-American family extended all over the midwest. My sister and I both have adult children and grandchildren, I didn’t understand how she could pick up and move so far away. It wasn’t until after visiting her there that I truly understood.

Not only had my sister found cousins in our ancestral hometown that I hadn’t known existed, but she also opened a doorway for her descendants. I knew then that I wanted this for myself, my children, and my grandchildren, too. Soon after making the decision to pursue recognition of Italian citizenship, my brother and his adult children decided to join us on this incredible journey.

Busy with a small family owned business, a cafe and bakery, as well as my husband’s law firm, and helping to raise our grandchildren, time is a precious commodity. Managing family and work, we simply didn't have the bandwidth to navigate the complex process of collecting documents and making amendments for nine applicants. That's where ViaMonde stepped in, and they truly took care of everything from start to finish.

One of the biggest concerns was the impending increase in court fees and potential changes to the law. ViaMonde informed us that these costs would rise significantly at the start of the new year, adding a substantial burden for our large family as well as the impending changes to the laws that had been on the books for several years. Knowing this, ViaMonde worked incredibly fast, pulling all our documents together and filing our case by December 27th, just about three months after we started. Their efficiency saved us a considerable amount of money and preserved our pathway to citizenship which would have been blocked by the changes in the laws. I'm so grateful for their proactive approach.

Our court date was initially set for September 2025, less than a year from filing, but it was unfortunately pushed back to November 2025 due to the passing of the judge. With the current political climate in the US, my husband and children, who are attorneys and very politically active, felt increasing pressure. This led us to consider if we could live and apply in Italy full-time, but due to the new restrictions introduced with the decree law and the minor issue, an application in Italy like my sister had done simply was no longer a possibility.

The Interim Period: Laying the Foundation for Sicily

The postponement of the court date, rather than creating a period of anxiety, has become a valuable window for our family to meticulously plan the transition. The conversation quickly shifted from the general idea of living in Europe to establishing roots in Sicily, the heart of our ancestry. After speaking with my sister and immersing ourselves in countless videos of our ancestral island, the whole family is now focused on the deep history and local culture of Sicily.

With a definitive end date in sight—the November 2025 court hearing— our efforts are now highly targeted:

• The Property Search & Scouting Trip: My husband and I have been actively looking at properties online and have booked a scouting trip for the Christmas holidays. This trip is designed to give us a realistic sense of life outside of the typical tourist season. The goal is not just to find a compound for the whole family, but to truly understand the rhythm of a Sicilian community, making us less concerned about the difference in housing compared to the Midwest. We are selecting what possessions to pack and sell now, knowing the trip will give us the final clarity on what can be left behind.

• Laying the Business Groundwork: My dream of opening an Italian bakery specializing in beloved American classics like chocolate chip cookies and brownies is now a concrete business plan. The scouting trip will include meetings with key professionals—a crucial step for any foreign entrepreneur. We plan to consult with a small business attorney and, most importantly, a Commercialista (accountant). The Commercialista will be essential in navigating the complexities of establishing a business entity, addressing US-Italy asset and financial entanglements, and understanding local taxation and permitting for a food-based venture.

• Cultural Immersion: The entire family has embraced Italian language and culture during this waiting period. We are all taking Italian classes and participating in conversation groups, knowing that language fluency will be key to both professional success and true integration into the Sicilian community. Our grandson, in particular, is motivated by the prospect of attending university in Europe.

This experience has truly been focused on my family, allowing me to be present for graduations, the birth of a grandchild, and even the passing of a parent, all while ViaMonde handled every detail of our citizenship process. They even helped us shift our strategy to include a property search in Sicily, supporting our dream of slowing down, traveling around Europe, and buying a retirement home and opening a bakery. It's a testament to ViaMonde's dedication that they've made this overwhelming process feel seamless, allowing us to focus on what truly matters: family.