May 1, 2025
Italy Tightens Italian Citizenship by Descent Laws in 2025
As a consultancy specializing in Italian visas and residency, Why Wait Italy closely monitors changes in Italian law, particularly Italian citizenship law. On March 28, 2025, the Italian government announced significant changes via a decree impacting its ancestry-based citizenship policy, known as ius sanguinis or citizenship by descent. This new decree, while restrictive and currently in effect, faces a legislative review process. It potentially opens alternative pathways for those who no longer qualify for citizenship under these updated rules but still wish to live in Italy. Let's explore what these changes mean and how they impact your journey.
The New Rules for Italian Citizenship Law: A Closer Look
Historically, Italy had relatively lenient citizenship rules regarding Italian ancestry. Generally, applicants who could prove they had an Italian ancestor alive after March 17, 1861, had potential eligibility – a framework potentially covering up to 80 million people worldwide. This led to a significant increase in applications, especially from South America, where millions with Italian descent emigrated. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italian citizens abroad surged by 40%, from 4.6 million to 6.4 million. Notably, in Argentina, citizenship recognition escalated to 30,000 in 2024 from 20,000 the previous year, while Brazil saw a rise from 14,000 to 20,000.
However, Italian Minister Antonio Tajani, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared the system was strained, with a flood of requests overwhelming Italian consulates abroad. As a result, the government, through this law decree (Decree-Law No. 36/2025), introduced stricter criteria impacting the granting of citizenship: only those with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy will automatically qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. Individuals whose connection relies on great-grandparents or an ancestor who emigrated centuries ago may no longer meet the requirements under this new regulation. This move aims to curb what Tajani described as the "commercialization of Italian passports," emphasizing that "being an Italian citizen is a serious thing." Obtaining an Italian passport, often ranked highly, remains a key motivator.
Important Cut-off Date and Legislative Uncertainty
It's crucial to note that the new rules specified in the decree do not affect applications submitted before March 28, 2025 (specifically, before 11:59 PM Rome time on March 27, 2025). If your citizenship application was officially lodged before this time, it will still be processed under the old rules. However, any new applications submitted from March 28 onwards are currently subject to the new, more restrictive criteria outlined in the decree. This signifies a major potential shift in Italy's citizenship law, pending parliamentary confirmation.
Impact on Ancestry-Based Citizenship Applicants: Who Misses Out?
The new law, as it stands in the decree, means that individuals seeking recognition of Italian citizenship based on ancestors beyond a parent or grandparent will generally no longer be eligible for automatic Italian citizenship. This change affects a significant number of potential citizenship applicants from the pool potentially numbering 80 million worldwide eligible under the previous system. Many Italian descendants will find claiming Italian citizenship more challenging under these new provisions.
For those who find themselves excluded from being recognized as Italian citizens by these new regulations, the dream of Italy is not lost. Instead, it may require a different route—one Why Wait Italy specializes in: obtaining a visa.
Alternative Pathways: Visas to Residency and Beyond
If your goal is to make Italy your home and you no longer qualify for Italian citizenship by descent under the current decree, a visa is your gateway. Italy offers various categories, such as elective residency, digital nomad, and investor visas.
After just five years of continuous legal residency in Italy using qualifying visas like these, you can typically apply for permanent resident status:
This offers a stable and reliable route to making Italy your permanent home.
Once you secure a visa, register with Italian municipalities, and become a resident, you can eventually apply to become Italian through naturalization. This process, often requiring proof of integration including Italian language proficiency, is longer than obtaining citizenship by descent, but it's a viable alternative to ultimately obtain citizenship and an Italian passport. You may must live in Italy for this pathway.
The Role of Consulates Post-Reform
The government in Italy's reform, outlined in the decree, also includes changes to the role of the Italian consulate. Previously overwhelmed, consulates will shift focus if the decree becomes permanent law. Instead of processing citizenship eligibility claims based purely on Italian lineage, nationality requests will centralize and be handled directly in Rome by a new centralized office. However, the operational timeline for this office depends on the final legislative outcome and funding, adding an element of transition. This change would free up the Consulate General of Italy network and local consulates to dedicate resources to assisting existing citizens. Tajani indicated this aims to streamline services.
Looking Ahead: The Critical 60-Day Window and Implications
Crucially, this decree (Decree-Law No. 36/2025), effective March 29, 2025, faces a critical deadline. Under the Italian Constitution, it must be converted into permanent law by the Italian Parliament by May 27, 2025. The legislative process is underway, with numerous amendments proposed, addressing aspects like generational limits, minors' rights, and constitutional concerns.
This means the final form of the law could differ from the current decree. Modifications, potentially including transitional arrangements or a grace period (though not guaranteed), are conceivable. If Parliament does not convert the decree by the deadline, it could lapse entirely, effectively reverting the rules to the previous citizenship framework, at least temporarily. This uncertainty significantly impacts planning for new applications submitted after March 28. With consulates less burdened if the changes hold, visa processing might improve, but the overall situation requires close monitoring due to these new procedures and potential legislative shifts possibly extending into April 2025 or later.
Conclusion: Navigating a Changing Landscape
The potential tightening of Italy's citizenship rules marks a pivotal moment. While the path to Italian citizenship through ancestry (right of blood) faces restriction under the current decree – requiring a closer link like an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy – the legislative outcome remains uncertain until late May 2025. The door to Italy remains open via visas regardless. At Why Wait Italy, we are committed to helping you navigate these changes and the current period of legislative review.
If you are impacted by the decree or wish to pursue your Italian dream via residency and a long-term visa alternative, contact us. We can help explore visa options and strategize based on the evolving landscape of Italian citizenship law. Your journey requires careful navigation, but the destination is achievable.
Stay tuned to whywaititaly.com and our LinkedIn for updates on this evolving situation regarding Italian citizenship.
