Italy’s Stricter Citizenship by Descent Law (2025 Update)
New Legal Italian Requirements and What They Mean for Applicants
For decades, Italy’s jure sanguinis framework—citizenship by descent—has enabled millions of people worldwide to claim Italian citizenship based on their ancestry, often through a grandparent or great-grandparent. However, sweeping legislative changes introduced in 2025 have significantly altered the application landscape. These reforms, driven by Decree-Law 22/2025, are designed to tighten eligibility and require a more demonstrable connection to Italy.
If you're exploring the possibility of claiming Italian citizenship by descent, it’s critical to understand the new requirements and how they may affect your eligibility.
What’s Changed Under the New 2025 Law
Under previous interpretations of Italian citizenship law, foreign-born descendants of Italian citizens could claim citizenship almost automatically, provided they could prove lineage and that no ancestor renounced their status. This has now changed.
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As of March 28, 2025, citizenship is no longer granted automatically through jure sanguinis. Instead, foreign-born applicants must meet stricter residency-related conditions. The key new requirement: the applicant’s parent or grandparent must have legally resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the applicant’s birth.
This policy shift—passed by the Italian Parliament and converted into law—seeks to curb what officials describe as "passive citizenship" and reassert Italy’s interest in fostering genuine national ties.
For descendants who live abroad and whose ancestors left Italy several generations ago, this rule presents a major hurdle in establishing eligibility.
Proof of Ancestry and Eligibility Criteria
The process of obtaining Italian citizenship by descent has always required detailed documentation, but the 2025 law introduces additional scrutiny, especially for documents issued outside Italy.
To proceed with an application, individuals must now provide:
* Certified birth, marriage, and death certificates proving direct descent
* Official records showing the parent’s or grandparent’s legal residence in Italy for two consecutive years
* In some cases, proof of Italian language proficiency or evidence of cultural engagement may strengthen the case
Documents issued abroad must now be apostilled, translated, and validated by the Italian consulate, and many consulates are applying these standards with increasing rigor.
The burden of proof has shifted. It's no longer enough to trace ancestry; you must now also demonstrate a recent and genuine connection to Italy.
Grandfathering & Legal Disputes Over Retroactivity
Notably, the law contains a grandfathering clause for applicants who submitted their citizenship applications before March 27, 2025. These individuals are protected under the old rules, assuming their application was complete and properly filed.
However, there’s growing concern over retroactive enforcement. Some Italian courts and consulates have interpreted the new law inconsistently—leading to regional variations in how claims are processed. This has resulted in delays, appeals, and in some cases, rejections, even for applicants who submitted paperwork prior to the legislative deadline.
These legal challenges are expected to work their way through the Italian court system, which may eventually provide clearer guidance. Until then, legal uncertainty will remain a reality for many applicants.
The Window Is Narrowing—Act Promptly
The Italy citizenship by descent 2025 changes mark a significant evolution in how Italian nationality is transmitted. While the right to claim citizenship through ancestry still exists, the path is now more complex and selective, emphasizing recent familial residency in Italy over ancestral ties alone.
If you’re considering applying:
* Review your family history with close attention to your parent’s or grandparent’s residence timeline in Italy
* Compile documentation early and ensure it meets new formatting and authentication requirements
* Seek professional legal advice to help navigate potential grey areas, especially if your claim involves documents issued abroad or a pending application filed before March 27, 2025
With eligibility standards tightening, now is the time to act. Don’t wait—evaluate your options while your family legacy still offers a bridge to Italian citizenship.
