New Citizenship Rules in Italy Limit Access for Descendants

Changes to the citizenship law focus on strengthening connections between Italy and its diaspora while managing application backlogs.

Italy's parliament has enacted a new law that imposes stricter guidelines for individuals seeking to obtain Italian citizenship through family lineage. The previous policy allowed anyone with an Italian ancestor from as far back as 1861 to claim citizenship through the 'jus sanguinis' principle, which recognizes citizenship based on blood lineage.

Under the revised regulations, applicants can only secure an Italian passport if they can demonstrate that at least one parent or grandparent was a citizen by birth. This change, ratified by the government on Tuesday, aims to reinforce the bond between Italy and its citizens living abroad, address concerns about possible exploitation of the citizenship process, and help alleviate the significant backlog of applications.

The number of Italians residing outside the country surged by 40% from the end of 2014 to the end of 2024, with current estimates placing at least 6.4 million Italians living abroad. In March, the administration of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed that over 60,000 citizenship verification cases were pending in the legal system.

To improve the efficiency of consular services, the Italian foreign ministry clarified that the changes would ensure resources are directed toward individuals with a tangible connection to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that while the opportunity for descendants to claim citizenship remains, stricter boundaries will be established to prevent misuse or commercialization of citizenship. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," he stated.