Tighter Citizenship Rules for Italian Descendants: New Law Passed

The Italian government has amended citizenship laws, requiring clearer ties to Italy for applicants.

Italy has enacted a law that alters the eligibility requirements for individuals seeking citizenship through their Italian ancestry. Historically, under the 'jus sanguinis' principle, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived post-17 March 1861 could apply for citizenship. However, the newly ratified law mandates that applicants must have at least one direct parent or grandparent who was an Italian citizen by birth.

Officials have justified the modification as a necessary measure to reinforce connections between Italy and its citizens abroad while also curbing the misuse and commercial exploitation of citizenship. According to the government, this change will alleviate aggrandized backlogs in citizenship applications, which have surged, with an increase of 40% in citizens residing outside Italy from 2014 to 2024. As of March 2023, the backlog included over 60,000 pending citizenship verification cases.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the new law aims to optimize consular services, making them more effective for those with genuine connections to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani insisted that the spirit of citizenship will remain intact, as descendants of Italians can still acquire citizenship, albeit with stricter limitations to prevent abuse and the commercialization of Italian nationality. Tajani underscored the seriousness of citizenship, reaffirming that it should not be trivialized in scope.