Italy Reinforces Citizenship Criteria for Descendants of Italians

Italy has enacted stricter regulations that redefine eligibility for citizenship, aiming to preserve the integrity of its nationality laws.

Italy has passed a law that alters the citizenship process for individuals with Italian ancestry. Previously, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861, could claim citizenship under the 'jus sanguinis' principle, which recognizes bloodline ties. However, the recently ratified law mandates that applicants must now demonstrate that they have at least one parent or grandparent who was an actual citizen by birth.

The Italian government states that this modification is intended to "enhance" the connection between Italy and its citizens abroad, prevent potential misuse and 'commercialization' of passports, and alleviate the backlog of citizenship applications. From the end of 2014 to the end of 2024, the number of Italians residing outside the country surged by 40%, escalating from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million. This dramatic increase has led to over 60,000 pending citizenship verification cases as reported by the government.

In their official communication, Italy's foreign ministry emphasized that the new regulations will streamline consular services, allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently to those with genuine ties to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reassured that the essence of citizenship remains intact, stating, "descendants of Italians will still have pathways to citizenship," but insisted that specific criteria must be established to curb misuse or the commercialization of Italian nationality. "Citizenship must be treated with seriousness," he concluded, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining the sanctity of Italian citizenship.