The Italian government has approved a law tightening eligibility for citizenship by descent, requiring applicants to have direct parental or grandparental citizenship. The move aims to address administrative challenges and prevent abuse of the citizenship process, while still allowing descendants to seek citizenship.
Italy Revises Citizenship Laws for Descendants Amid Rise in Applications
Italy Revises Citizenship Laws for Descendants Amid Rise in Applications
New legislation narrows citizenship eligibility for those with Italian heritage, emphasizing genuine connections to Italy.
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Italy has recently enacted a law modifying the criteria for individuals with Italian ancestry to acquire citizenship. Under the previous regulations, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after the unification of Italy on March 17, 1861, was eligible under the 'jus sanguinis' principle, which allows citizenship through bloodlines. However, under the new law, ratified by parliament on Tuesday, applicants must now demonstrate direct lineage from a parent or grandparent who was a citizen by birth.
The Italian government has stated that the adjustments aim to strengthen the linkage between Italy and its citizens living overseas, while also addressing concerns over misuse and the commercialization of Italian passports. The rise in applications, particularly evident from 2014 to 2024, has been significant, with the number of Italian citizens living abroad soaring by 40% – from approximately 4.6 million to over 6.4 million. Reports indicate that by the end of March, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration introduced the amendments, more than 60,000 applications were pending for citizenship verification.
Italy's foreign ministry has emphasized that these regulatory changes will enhance the efficiency of consular services, focusing resources on applicants with genuine ties to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani assured that the fundamental principle of citizenship for descendants would remain intact, albeit with clearer limitations in place to deter potential abuses and the commercialization of citizenship applications. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," Tajani remarked, reinforcing the idea that these changes are integral to maintaining the integrity of Italian citizenship.
Italy has recently enacted a law modifying the criteria for individuals with Italian ancestry to acquire citizenship. Under the previous regulations, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after the unification of Italy on March 17, 1861, was eligible under the 'jus sanguinis' principle, which allows citizenship through bloodlines. However, under the new law, ratified by parliament on Tuesday, applicants must now demonstrate direct lineage from a parent or grandparent who was a citizen by birth.
The Italian government has stated that the adjustments aim to strengthen the linkage between Italy and its citizens living overseas, while also addressing concerns over misuse and the commercialization of Italian passports. The rise in applications, particularly evident from 2014 to 2024, has been significant, with the number of Italian citizens living abroad soaring by 40% – from approximately 4.6 million to over 6.4 million. Reports indicate that by the end of March, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration introduced the amendments, more than 60,000 applications were pending for citizenship verification.
Italy's foreign ministry has emphasized that these regulatory changes will enhance the efficiency of consular services, focusing resources on applicants with genuine ties to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani assured that the fundamental principle of citizenship for descendants would remain intact, albeit with clearer limitations in place to deter potential abuses and the commercialization of citizenship applications. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," Tajani remarked, reinforcing the idea that these changes are integral to maintaining the integrity of Italian citizenship.
