04/13/2025
🇮🇹 IMPORTANT: Legal Update to “ius sanguinis” citizenship legislation - Temporary Suspension of Italian Citizenship by Descent Through Great-Grandparents
Effective March 28th, 2025, the Italian government has introduced a set of legislative measures providing that Italian descendants born abroad can be recognized as citizens only if they have at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy.
Considering the recent legislative changes, it is crucial to act promptly and proceed with an assessment of your case, as the legal framework may soon be subject to significant modifications.
Indeed, by the end of this year, the Italian Parliament may introduce a reform introducing potentially stricter requirements such as mandatory residency and an Italian language test. For those seeking Italian citizenship, this year represents a critical window of opportunity to initiate the process.
📜 Legal Background
Italian citizenship by descent iure sanguinis is based on the principle that Italian citizenship is passed down automatically from an Italian ancestor, provided there has been no interruption in the chain.
After March 27th, individuals with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy can apply for citizenship, provided that the line of descent is direct.
⚖️ Key Provisions of the New Law
The new legislative measure includes the following elements:
- A halt on the recognition of citizenship by descent where the qualifying ancestor is a great-grandparent or a more remote ancestor.
- The suspension applies only to new applications submitted after March 27, 2025.
- Applications already submitted and officially filed before midnight of March 27th, 2025, will continue to be processed under the previous legal framework.
- Descent through Italian-born parents or grandparents remains unaffected and continues to be a valid route for recognition.
📌 Practical Implications and Recommendations
➡️ If you are considering applying for Italian citizenship through an Italian-born parent or grandparent, do NOT wait any further and schedule your free 15-minute consultation with our team here: https://calendly.com/d/crrc-zx3-sf8/15-minute-consultation
➡️ If your Italian relative is a great-grandparent:
• Assess alternative ancestral lines, particularly if you may qualify through a parent or grandparent;
• Your parents may proceed with their citizenship application if they can, as this may enable you to apply through them in the future.
🎯 Our Strategy
We recommend filing petitions quickly with initial documents and submitting additional documents during the Court proceeding (which usually takes up to 9/24 months from the filing date).
Please note that applicants may request a court postponement if documents are still being translated and apostilled.
The most critical and strategic consideration is the impending enactment of the Organic Citizenship Reform - between late 2025 and early 2026 - which may establish stricter criteria (probably language proficiency and residency requirements), resulting in potentially permanent loss of eligibility.
Please schedule your free 15-minute consultation with our team here: https://calendly.com/d/crrc-zx3-sf8/15-minute-consultation
Warm regards,
ICLF - Italian Citizenship Law Firm
https://www.italiancitizenshiplawfirm.com/
