Immigration
Citizenship by office, not by birth or residence
Vatican citizenship is functional and temporary: it attaches to cardinals resident in Rome, diplomats of the Holy See and those living in the State for their office, and it lapses when the office ends. There is no immigration route for settlement.
Key rules
- Citizenship is granted by reason of office or residence for service and ceases with it.
- Family members may hold derivative citizenship or authorised residence while the holder serves.
- Access to the territory is regulated by permit, with most areas closed to the public.
Governing law
- Law No. IX on citizenship, residence and access (2011)
- Lateran Treaty, provisions on citizenship (1929)
In practice
Anyone losing Vatican citizenship reverts to Italian nationality under the Lateran Treaty if they hold no other, so statelessness cannot arise.