Decree Law No. 36 of 28 March 2025 has introduced substantial amendments to the right to Italian citizenship by descent (“IUS SANGUINIS”), as established by Law No. 91 of 1992. Previously, individuals born to or descended from an Italian citizen—even across generations—retained the right to citizenship recognition, regardless of birthplace or residence, with no generational limits. Proof of an unbroken lineage (without naturalization or voluntary renunciation) sufficed.
Law No. 74/2025 radically changes this framework.
Under the new Article 3-bis added to Law 91/1992, individuals born abroad holding another citizenship are deemed “never to have acquired Italian citizenship”, unless they meet one of the following conditions:
- Submitted a complete citizenship recognition application to the relevant consulate or municipality by 23:59 (Rome time) on 27 March 2025;
- Filed a judicial petition for citizenship verification by 23:59 (Rome time) on 27 March 2025;
- Have a natural or adoptive parent born in Italy and holding ONLY Italian citizenship;
- Have a natural or adoptive Italian-citizen parent who resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years before the applicant’s birth/adoption (*);
- Have a grandparent born in Italy and holding ONLY Italian citizenship (first-degree ascendant of a parent) (**).
(*) If the Italian citizen parent has resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the child’s birth, click here to check the required documents. Please note: residency in Italy prior to acquiring Italian citizenship or the residency of a foreign parent is not relevant.
(**) If a parent or grandparent held—exclusively—Italian citizenship at the time of the applicant’s birth or at the time of their death, click here to check the required documentats.
Self-certifications regarding the absence of other citizenships are not accepted.
Procedure
Applications for the recognition of citizenship by descent must be submitted at the applicant’s place of residence. On the day of the appointment, the applicant must present all documents in original, duly legalised and translated into Italian.
The Office reserves the right to request additional proof or supporting documents upon review of the application. All original documents submitted are not subject to expiry and will not be returned.
Applications for citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) are subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of 600 EUR, payable in the local currency on the day of the appointment.
Please note that the fee is non-refundable and applies regardless of the application result.