The Italian government has approved amendments to its citizenship laws that will impose stricter requirements for applicants with Italian ancestry, emphasizing meaningful connections to the country.
Italy Enacts New Citizenship Law for Descendants of Italian Heritage
Italy Enacts New Citizenship Law for Descendants of Italian Heritage
New regulations aim to streamline the citizenship process and strengthen ties with genuine Italian descendants.
Italy has recently enacted a new law that alters the criteria for individuals seeking Italian citizenship through ancestry. Previously, individuals with an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861 could qualify under the 'jus sanguinis' principle, a legal concept granting citizenship by bloodline. However, the newly ratified regulations, approved by parliament on Tuesday, require applicants to have one parent or grandparent who was a citizen at birth.
The government has stated that these changes are necessary to "enhance" connections between Italy and its citizens living abroad, while also addressing concerns over passport misuse and commercial exploitation. The legislative revisions aim to allocate resources more effectively in order to address the growing backlog of citizenship applications. According to government statistics, from the end of 2014 to 2024, the number of Italians residing abroad surged by 40%, increasing from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million.
In light of this surge, over 60,000 pending legal proceedings for citizenship verification were reported at the end of March, coinciding with the introduction of this law by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration. Italy’s foreign ministry acknowledged that these changes would allow consular services to operate more efficiently, focusing on individuals with a tangible connection to Italy.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reassured that countless descendants of Italians would still have the opportunity to pursue citizenship. However, he emphasized that specific limits would be instituted to prevent the likelihood of abuse and to curb the commercialization of Italian citizenship. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," he expressed, highlighting the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the citizenship process.
The government has stated that these changes are necessary to "enhance" connections between Italy and its citizens living abroad, while also addressing concerns over passport misuse and commercial exploitation. The legislative revisions aim to allocate resources more effectively in order to address the growing backlog of citizenship applications. According to government statistics, from the end of 2014 to 2024, the number of Italians residing abroad surged by 40%, increasing from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million.
In light of this surge, over 60,000 pending legal proceedings for citizenship verification were reported at the end of March, coinciding with the introduction of this law by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration. Italy’s foreign ministry acknowledged that these changes would allow consular services to operate more efficiently, focusing on individuals with a tangible connection to Italy.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reassured that countless descendants of Italians would still have the opportunity to pursue citizenship. However, he emphasized that specific limits would be instituted to prevent the likelihood of abuse and to curb the commercialization of Italian citizenship. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," he expressed, highlighting the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the citizenship process.
