Over the past year, a whopping 12,000 Brazilians applied for Italian citizenship in the Veneto region, averaging around 1,000 applications per month. This surge in citizenship requests is not limited to Brazilians, as there has also been a noticeable increase in applications from nationals of Argentina and Venezuela.
Local media reports indicate that the spike in citizenship applications is driven by the desire for easier international travel opportunities. Holding Italian citizenship allows individuals to travel more easily within the EU, as well as to the United States through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The VWP program enables eligible nationals from specific countries to travel to the US for tourism or business purposes without the need for a visa for stays of 90 days or less. This has sparked increased interest from travelers seeking easier access to the United States.
In response to the overwhelming number of citizenship requests from Brazilians, the mayor of Val di Zoldo, Camillo De Pellegrin, made a symbolic gesture by displaying the Brazilian flag in protest. The municipality also humorously adopted the name “Municipality of Val di Zoldo in Brazil, State of Rio Grande do Sul,” as a lighthearted acknowledgement of the situation.
Local media reports also highlight a significant increase in appeals for Italian citizenship since 2022. The president of the Venice court, Salvatore Laganà, expressed concerns about this trend, citing a total of 6,923 appeals registered by June 30. This surge in citizenship requests accounted for 68% of the total files for the year.
Overall, the influx of citizenship applications from Brazilians and other nationals in the Veneto region reflects a growing interest in international travel opportunities and the benefits of holding Italian citizenship.
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