Italian Citizenship Reform 2025: The New Ius Sanguinis
Under the new decree, automatic citizenship by descent is now limited to two generations. This means that only individuals with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy will automatically acquire Italian citizenship. This change is intended to address the sharp increase in citizenship applications from individuals who have no tangible connection to Italy. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italian citizens residing abroad increased from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million—a 40% rise in just a decade. Countries like Argentina and Brazil have experienced a surge in citizenship recognitions, with Argentina seeing an increase from 20,000 in 2023 to 30,000 in 2024, and Brazil rising from 14,000 in 2022 to 20,000 in 2024. The decree centralizes the process of citizenship recognition for applicants residing abroad. Previously handled by Italian consulates, these applications will now be managed by a dedicated office within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This change aims to improve efficiency and reduce the workload on consular offices, allowing them to focus more on providing services to current Italian citizens. Before this reform, it was also introduced a €600 fee for every ius sanguinis citizenship application. This fee has faced criticism from organizations representing Italian descendants abroad. The "Instituto Cidadania Italiana," for example, has called the fee "unfair and discriminatory," arguing that it disproportionately affects applicants from lower-income countries, potentially making Italian citizenship a privilege accessible only to the wealthiest. The reform is expected to bring several significant consequences: Decrease in Citizenship Applications: With stricter eligibility criteria and a high application fee, the number of new claims for Italian citizenship by descent is expected to drop. Improved Consular Services: By centralizing the application process, Italian consulates will have more resources to assist current citizens. Legal Controversy and Challenges: The introduction of these new restrictions may spark constitutional challenges. Many experts believe that the decree could contradict fundamental principles of the Italian Constitution, making judicial appeals a viable option for those affected. While the new law appears to significantly reduce the number of administrative applications, judicial claims may become a key alternative. Given the apparent inconsistency of the decree with multiple constitutional principles, many applicants may pursue legal action to challenge the new restrictions. If you believe you qualify for Italian citizenship but are facing new obstacles under the reform, taking legal action could be a strategic solution. If you are affected by the new Italian citizenship law and need legal assistance, our expert lawyers at Mangata Avvocati are here to help. We specialize in Italian citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis), judicial appeals, and administrative applications. For more information and to evaluate your case, contact us today through our website www.mangataavvocati.it.Key Changes in the Italian Citizenship by Descent Reform
Restriction on Automatic Citizenship Transmission
Centralization of the Citizenship Recognition Process
New €600 Application Fee for Italian Citizenship by Descent
Implications of the New Italian Citizenship Law
Judicial Appeals: A New Path for Italian Citizenship?
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