New Delhi, May 24 -- Over 1.4 million non-EU residents could become eligible for Italian citizenship if Italy passes a new law in the upcoming June 8-9 referendum, according to a study by research centre Idos.

Right now, non-EU nationals must live in Italy for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship. The proposed reform will reduce this to five years.

If passed, nearly 1.14 million adults and 2.29 lakh children will qualify. Another 55,000 children may get citizenship automatically if their parents become citizens.

According to estimates by the +Europa party, about 2.5 million residents will become eligible for Italian citizenship.

However, not everyone will qualify. About 7 lakh people may still be ineligible because they don'...