Citizenship Through Parent (Jure Sanguinis)

Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis, meaning "right of blood") allows you to claim Italian citizenship if you can prove direct descent from an Italian citizen parent. This pathway is governed by Law No. 91 of February 5, 1992, and has been substantially reformed by Law 74/2025, which took effect on May 24, 2025.

The core principle is straightforward: if your parent held Italian citizenship at the time of your birth (or at their death if they died before you were born), you may be eligible to become an Italian citizen. However, the rules have become significantly more restrictive as of May 2025, and a critical March 27, 2025 cutoff date divides applicants into two groups with very different eligibility requirements.

This pathway is distinct from citizenship through a grandparent (which has separate, more limited rules under the new law) and from citizenship through naturalization or residence in Italy.

If your Italian parent is a woman and you were born before January 1, 1948, you cannot apply at a consulate. Instead, you must file your application in Italian court. This is because the 1912 Italian citizenship law did not allow women to transmit citizenship to their children. However, Italian courts have recognized such cases since 2009, when the Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that constitutional principles of gender equality should apply retroactively.

Court cases typically take 24 to 36 months or longer to conclude, depending on the court's docket. However, 1948 cases have a very high success rate (95%+ for properly documented cases).

As of June 2022, these cases can be filed in the local Immigration Court based on where your Italian ancestor was born, rather than exclusively in Rome.

Law 74/2025 (May 24, 2025)

The most significant recent change is the enactment of Law 74/2025, which fundamentally restructured Italian citizenship by descent eligibility. The key changes are:

• Generational limit: Only descendants of parents or grandparents born in Italy are now eligible. Claims through great-grandparents or more distant ancestors are no longer accepted.
• Exclusive citizenship requirement: For those born abroad with another citizenship, automatic recognition requires either exclusive Italian citizenship in the transmitting ancestor or prior Italy residency.
• Retroactive application: The law applies retroactively to all applicants born abroad, regardless of birth date, unless they fall within the protected category (applications submitted or appointments confirmed before March 27, 2025).
• Minor children declaration: Children born abroad to Italian parents no longer automatically acquire citizenship at birth. Parents must make a formal declaration.

Constitutional Court Ruling (March 12, 2026)

On March 12, 2026, Italy's Constitutional Court rejected constitutional challenges to Law 74/2025 filed by the Tribunal of Turin. The Court declared the Turin court's questions "partly unfounded and partly inadmissible," upholding the law's core provisions. This ruling confirms that the generational cap and exclusive citizenship requirements remain in force.

Pending Constitutional Challenges

Additional constitutional challenges from the Tribunals of Mantova and Campobasso remain pending. The Mantova referral is scheduled for hearing on June 9, 2026. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on April 14, 2026 regarding whether an ancestor's naturalization while their child was a minor severs the citizenship line for all subsequent generations.

Centralization Reform (January 1, 2029)

Starting January 1, 2029, a new centralized Citizenship Directorate within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI) will assume responsibility for processing most adult citizenship applications from abroad, replacing the current consulate-based system. The maximum processing time will extend from 24 to 36 months under the new framework. During the transition period (2026-2029), consulates may place limitations on the number of new applications they accept each year.

Once your Italian citizenship is recognized, you receive:

• EU Citizenship: Full benefits of European Union citizenship, including the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU.
• Italian Passport: Access to an Italian passport, one of the world's most powerful travel documents.
• Right to Reside in Italy: The right to live, work, and establish residence in Italy without requiring a visa or residence permit.
• Healthcare and Social Benefits: Access to Italy's healthcare system and social benefits.
• Dual Citizenship: Italy allows dual citizenship, so you retain your existing citizenship.
• AIRE Registration: Eligibility to register with the AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero), the registry of Italians residing abroad. This allows you to maintain certain rights and benefits while living outside Italy.

Minor Children

Under the new law, minor children of recognized Italian citizens born abroad will acquire Italian citizenship after the parent makes a declaration with the Italian consulate. The declaration must be made within one year of the child's birth, or by May 31, 2026, for children born before March 27, 2025. Missing this deadline could prevent children from being recognized as Italian citizens.

The March 27, 2025 Cutoff is Absolute

The March 27, 2025 cutoff is non-negotiable. Applicants who submitted complete applications or had confirmed appointments before this date are protected under the old rules. Everyone else must meet the new, more restrictive criteria. This creates a two-tier system with vastly different eligibility requirements. If you are unsure whether your appointment was confirmed before this date, contact your consulate immediately.

The Exclusive Citizenship Requirement is Highly Restrictive

Under the new law, if your Italian parent held dual citizenship (for example, Italian-American) at the time of your birth, you may not qualify unless your parent had resided in Italy for two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before your birth. This is one of the most restrictive aspects of the new law and affects many descendants of Italian emigrants who naturalized in their countries of residence.

Document Completeness is Critical

The entire required documentation must be submitted at once. Incomplete submissions will not be processed, and no clarifications will be provided. If your application is rejected for incompleteness, you must pay the €600 fee again and book a new appointment. There is no opportunity to submit missing documents later.

Naturalization Documentation is Crucial

Your Italian ancestor's naturalization document is crucial for the recognition of your Italian citizenship. If your ancestor naturalized, you must provide the Certificate of Naturalization or certified copies of the petition for naturalization and oath of allegiance. If no naturalization occurred, you must provide an official statement of non-existence of records (CONE) or Letter of No Record from the relevant authority. Without this documentation, your application will be rejected.

Processing Times are Long and Vary by Location

Processing times at consulates range from 24 to 36 months, with significant variation by location. High-volume locations such as Buenos Aires, São Paulo, London, and New York have reported wait times of 5-10 years for appointments in some cases. You should check your specific consulate's website for current wait times and appointment availability before beginning the process.

Application in Italy Can Be Faster

For those who can relocate temporarily, applying directly in Italy at a comune (municipality) can be significantly faster than applying at a consulate abroad. Some comuni complete the process in months rather than years. However, you must establish legal residency in Italy first, which requires obtaining a residency certificate (certificato di residenza).

Minor Children Deadline Creates Pressure

For parents recognized as Italian citizens before March 27, 2025, there is a deadline of May 31, 2026, to declare their minor children's citizenship. Missing this deadline could prevent children from being recognized as Italian citizens. For those pursuing court cases, this deadline creates significant pressure, as judicial proceedings often extend beyond this date.

Anticipated Rush to File

Observers expect a significant rush to file applications in 2026-2028 before the transition to the centralized Rome office on January 1, 2029. This could further strain consulate resources and extend processing times during this period. If you are eligible, consider filing sooner rather than later.