04/01/2025
Italy Citizenship by Descent Changes
As of March 28, 2025, Italy has implemented significant reforms to its citizenship laws, particularly affecting those seeking recognition through descent (jure sanguinis). The key changes are as follows:
1. Generational Limitations: Previously, individuals with Italian ancestry, regardless of the number of generations removed, could claim Italian citizenship. The new law restricts this right to those with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy. Applicants with more distant ancestors, such as great-grandparents, are no longer eligible.
2. Effective Bond Requirement: Applicants must now demonstrate a tangible connection, termed "effective bond" (vincolo effettivo), to Italy. This includes factors like recent residence in Italy or direct parental ties to the country. This measure aligns Italy's approach with that of several other EU nations.
3. Enhanced Documentation Scrutiny: To prevent fraud, there will be stricter verification processes for submitted documents.
4. Centralized Application Processing: All applications will now be managed directly in Rome, aiming to alleviate the workload of Italian consulates, especially those in South America, which have been overwhelmed by a high volume of applications.
5. Transitional Provisions: Applications submitted up to March 27, 2025, will be processed under the previous regulations.
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These reforms are intended to address the exploitation of the previous system, which allowed individuals to trace distant Italian ancestry to obtain citizenship and its associated benefits. By implementing these changes, the Italian government seeks to ensure that citizenship is granted to those with a genuine and recent connection to Italy
