Through jus sanguinis, Italy has given its citizenship for years to those who have Italian ancestry. Nevertheless, as part of a major policy change, the Italian government has lowered the criteria for those applying to claim their Italian heritage. Parliament has approved the new rules to help Italy create real ties with its citizens everywhere, prevent abuse and organise a system with massive demand.
Historic Policy: Jus Sanguinis and What it Has Become?
For a long time, the rules for Italian citizenship have been especially generous toward descendants of those who emigrated from Italy. Those who could prove they had an ancestor alive from 17 March 1861 onward and who was Italian, could apply for Italian citizenship at any time. Thanks to this policy, millions of people could recognise their Italian background and, many times, enjoy EU rights.
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What’s New in the Law and Why?
The Italian Parliament’s passing of the revised law has significantly changed things. At present, only people with at least one parent or grandparent who was born an Italian citizen can apply for citizenship by descent. As a result, people who cannot prove Italian ancestry back to at least their grandparents are disqualified as applicants.
Official messages by the government list three key goals.
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The ministry said that true citizenship should go to those who have a personal connection to Italy.
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Concern about Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani focused on the rise of misusing Italian passports for financial gain by some, as he mentioned, “Citizenship should remain a serious matter”
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Improving Consular Efficiency: With more than 60,000 citizenship cases pending in court as of March 2025, the government aims to ease the administrative burden and provide better service to those with a direct connection to Italy.
Why the Change? Rising Demand and Systemic Strain
The number of people wanting Italian citizenship has really increased. The number of Italians living far from their homeland rose by 40% between 2014 and 2024, increasing from 4.6 million to 6.4 million1. As a result of this growth, over 60,000 court cases awaiting citizenship verification are piling up, putting stress on consular activities and resulting in calls for changes in the procedures.
Government officials say the old system made it possible for distant relatives with little connection to Italy to become citizens. The government wants to use taxpayer resources mainly for those who truly need and are involved with the country.
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How the New Rules Affect Applicants?
The new rules affect applicants in the following ways:
Who Is Still Eligible?
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Persons who have at least one Italian parent or grandparent by birth.
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It is necessary for applicants to document their Italian family legacy to a parent or grandparent.
Who Is No Longer Eligible?
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Anyone who can trace their Italian heritage back to great-grandparents or greater.”
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People who do not have direct, parent or grandparent ties to an Italian citizen when they are born.
What Is the Fate of Pending Applications?
New apps will be reviewed under the updated requirements first, but pending cases should also be reviewed the same way in the future. As a result, several applications in the process might not be accepted.
Government Perspective: Balancing Heritage and Integrity
Italy’s government says the law of multiple citizenship by descent will stay, but only if guidelines are set to prevent misuse. Tajani repeated that the aim is to strengthen citizenship, rather than cut off ties with citizens living abroad.
Foreign Ministry officials confirmed that the reform aims to help consulates help people who truly need to go to Italy, while boosting the quality and speed of service2.
Impact on the Italian Diaspora
The impact on the Italian diaspora can be summarized in the following ways:
Communities of Italian-Diaspora People
In North and South America, Australia and in other places, many individuals have become Italian citizens using their ancestry. People who are descendants of Italians going back generations will probably feel the new rules the most.
Backlog and Legal Challenges
Because there are tens of thousands of cases still pending, the new law might encourage applicants who started under the old rules to challenge it. Officials, however, seem eager to proceed, saying a more sensible and relevant citizenship approach is required.
Opinions Expressed by Roboticists and Amateurs
Views on the reform are not the same among people. A few Italian Americans say they are troubled by the move, believing it makes it harder for them to connect with their background. While some disagree, many Italian officials believe the change is needed to maintain the worth of citizenship and to make certain that those who get Italian passports care about Italy’s future.
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Conclusion
Italy’s new citizenship rules demonstrate an important change in how it deals with its global expatriates. The government sets these rules to maintain that being Italian by citizenship is tied to having a blood tie with Italy. Many are upset by the change, since it will change thousands of pending applications, but officials see it as vital for protecting Italian citizenship and enhancing how the consulates operate. The law underlines for Italians with roots in Italy how vital it is to have a clear relationship to the land from which their families came.
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