Changes to Italian Citizenship by Descent: A New Era

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, the general consensus among Italian citizenship attorneys is to proceed with collecting the required vital records under the assumption that you can petition the courts for citizenship using an experienced attorney. There is no guaranteed success when using an attorney, but for many this will now be the only option.

The Italian government has enacted sweeping reforms to the rules governing citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). According to officials, these changes are intended to reinforce the link between Italian citizenship and a demonstrable connection to the country, while also addressing misuse of the existing process.

On this page, we’ll break down the most important updates and explain how they may impact your eligibility.

These new requirements are in addition to the original eligibility criteria. To qualify under the current law, you must meet both the previous requirements and the newly introduced conditions.

Summary

1. Introduction of Residency Requirements

• Before:
  Applicants could claim Italian citizenship by descent without any residency prerequisites.

• Now:
  If claiming through a grandparent, applicants must have resided in Italy for at least three years before submitting the application.

2. Stricter Lineage Criteria

• Before:
  Citizenship could be claimed through any Italian ancestor, as long as the line was unbroken and the ancestor did not naturalize before the next person in the line was born.

• Now:
  Citizenship by descent is limited to cases where the applicant’s parent or grandparent was born in Italy.

3. Impact of the “Minor Issue”

• Before:
  Children born abroad retained Italian citizenship even if their Italian parent naturalized while the child was a minor.

• Now:
  If an Italian ancestor naturalized while their child was a minor (under 21 before 1975, under 18 after), the child’s citizenship is considered interrupted. Descendants must show proof the ancestor reacquired Italian citizenship to qualify.

4. Changes in Administrative Procedures

• Before:
  Applicants could apply through consulates or Italian municipalities.

• Now:
  Many applicants will need to file court cases in Italy, especially if affected by the “Minor Issue” or other complexities.

5. Transitional Provisions

• Applicants who submitted a complete application, booked a consulate appointment, or filed a court case before March 28, 2025, will be evaluated under the previous rules.

Primary Updates

Beginning May 24, 2025, new rules governing Italian citizenship, especially for those seeking recognition through ancestry, will take effect. The law outlines distinct requirements based on an individual’s current status and timing of application.

Individuals Already Recognised as Citizens

Anyone already granted Italian citizenship—either through a consulate application or court decision—is confirmed as an Italian citizen by birth ("per nascita").

Applicants Who Took Action Before March 28, 2025

If, by 11:59 PM Rome time on March 27, 2025, you had either:

• Submitted a complete citizenship application to a consulate or municipality,

• Scheduled a consulate appointment for citizenship,

• Filed a legal claim for citizenship in Italian courts,

then your case will be evaluated according to the pre-existing rules.

Applicants Who Took No Action by March 28, 2025

Those who did not take any of the steps listed above by the March 27 deadline are now subject to the new, more restrictive criteria. Under the updated law, an adult born abroad and holding foreign citizenship can only be recognised as an Italian citizen if either of the following applies:

• A parent or grandparent held only Italian citizenship (or held it exclusively at the time of their death),

• A parent or adoptive parent resided in Italy as an Italian citizen for at least two consecutive years before the applicant’s birth or adoption.

Rules for Children Born Outside of Italy

Children born abroad are no longer automatically considered Italian citizens at birth unless:

• They have a parent or grandparent who was solely an Italian citizen (including at the time of death), or

• A parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for two continuous years as an Italian citizen before the child's birth or adoption.

However, such children may still acquire citizenship ("per acquisto") under these conditions:

• Their parent is recognised as an Italian citizen by birth, and

• The birth is registered within one year, or

• The child resides in Italy for two continuous years while still a minor.

Current JS-recognised citizens (recognised through jure sanguinis) are confirmed as Italian by birth. For minor children of these citizens who have not yet been recognised, there is a grace period through May 31, 2026 (11:59 PM Rome time) to register the birth—regardless of the child’s age—for citizenship acquisition.

Differences in Eligibility: Citizenship From Birth vs Citizenship by Acquisition

Italian citizenship can be acquired in two main ways: from birth or by acquisition. The conditions vary based on where you were born, your parent or grandparent’s citizenship status, and whether certain legal or residency actions were taken.

You are an Italian citizen from birth if:

1. You were born in Italy to a parent who was already an Italian citizen.

2. You were born abroad to a parent who was exclusively an Italian citizen (i.e., held no other nationality).

3. You were born abroad to a grandparent who was exclusively an Italian citizen (and your parent was not Italian).

4. You were born abroad to an Italian citizen parent (even if dual citizen) who lived in Italy for at least 2 years as an Italian citizen before your birth or adoption.

You may become an Italian citizen by acquisition (not from birth) if:

1. You were born abroad to a parent who was an Italian citizen from birth, and:

   • Your parent made a formal declaration for you to be recognized as Italian, and

   • You lived in Italy for 2 consecutive years as a minor.

2. You were born abroad to a parent who was an Italian citizen from birth, and:

   • Your parent declared you as Italian, and

   • Registered your birth within 1 year.

3. You were born abroad to a current or former Italian citizen parent from birth, but:

   • Your parent did not register your birth within 1 year,

   • You reside in Italy for 2 years as an adult, and

   • You obtain a B1-level language certificate.
     Note: Your minor children may be included.

4. You were born abroad to a current or former Italian citizen grandparent from birth, and:

   • Your parent didn’t register your birth within 1 year,

   • You reside in Italy for 2 years as an adult, and

   • You obtain a B1-level language certificate.
     Note: Your minor children may also be included.

Eligibility Table: