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 No. 91/1992, individuals born abroad holding another citizenship are deemed to have “never acquired Italian citizenship,” unless they meet one of the following strictly defined conditions:
- Submitted a complete application for recognition of citizenship, with all the required documentation, to the competent consular office 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 first- or second-degree ascendant (biological or adoptive parent, or grandparent) who holds (or held at the time of death) EXCLUSIVELY Italian citizenship (*);
- Have a biological or adoptive Italian-citizen parent who resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years prior to the child’s date of birth or adoption (**).
(*) If a parent or grandparent holds — or held at the time of death — exclusively Italian citizenship as of the applicant’s date of birth, click here to consult the required documentation.
(**) If the Italian-citizen parent (residence in Italy prior to the acquisition of Italian citizenship cannot be considered, nor can be considered the residence in Italy of the foreign parent.) resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the child’s date of birth, click here to consult the required documentation.
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.