Key Takeaways
• Starting March 28, 2025, only first- and second-generation descendants can claim Italian citizenship by descent; previous broader eligibility is revoked.
• Application fees double to €600 in 2025; retrieving records over 100 years old now costs up to €300 per record.
• Citizenship applications are centralized in Rome, requiring electronic submissions, aiming to reduce consular backlogs and standardize evaluations.
On March 28, 2025, Italy 🇮🇹 enacted significant changes to its citizenship by descent rules, marking a pivotal moment in its approach to recognizing Italian ancestry. These reforms involve stricter eligibility criteria, higher application fees, and a centralization of the application process. While the goal is to address the administrative challenges and preserve the significance of Italian citizenship, the new measures have sparked critical debate around access, fairness, and inclusivity.
What is Italian Citizenship by Descent?
Italian citizenship through descent is governed by the principle of jus sanguinis, or “right of blood.” This principle allows individuals to claim Italian citizenship based on their lineage, provided they can demonstrate an unbroken connection to an Italian ancestor. Until now, this process was open even to those whose family ties stretched back multiple generations. For instance, if an ancestor was alive after March 17, 1861 (the date of Italian unification), their descendants anywhere in the world could potentially qualify for citizenship.
This policy allowed millions, particularly in countries with significant Italian diasporas such as Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, to reconnect with their Italian heritage. However, as applications surged—notably in South America—the system became strained. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of registered Italians abroad increased by 40%, much of this driven by descendants seeking citizenship. Italian consulates, especially in places like Argentina, struggled to keep up with the sheer volume of demands. These circumstances necessitated a rethink of jus sanguinis.
Narrowing Eligibility: The Core Reform
One of the most significant changes to Italian citizenship law involves tightening eligibility. From March 28, 2025, only first- and second-generation descendants can automatically claim citizenship. This means an individual must now prove direct descent either from a parent or grandparent born in Italy 🇮🇹. The older rule, which allowed claims based on any ancestor alive after 1861, has been discontinued.
This change significantly narrows the pool of eligible applicants. Descendants in the third or fourth generation will likely no longer qualify unless exceptional circumstances exist. The Italian government defended this decision as a means of ensuring that citizenship reflects substantive ties to contemporary Italy, not merely ancestral curiosity.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stressed the importance of rethinking eligibility during an official announcement. Explaining the motivation behind the reform, he said, “Being an Italian citizen is a serious thing. It’s not a game to get a passport that allows you to go shopping in Miami.” His remarks underscored concerns that many applicants were leveraging citizenship primarily for travel or work within the European Union, with no intention of maintaining cultural, linguistic, or personal connections with Italy.
While the government’s stance resonates with those worried about the erosion of national identity, the policy has not gone unchallenged. Many argue that even distant descendants often maintain strong cultural and emotional ties to Italy, even if their familial connections date back several generations. Critics believe the reform unfairly limits their ability to formalize those connections through citizenship.
Increased Application Fees
The financial cost of applying for Italian citizenship has risen considerably under the new rules. Starting January 1, 2025, all applicants must pay increased fees as part of Italy’s effort to manage the rising number of claims and offset administrative costs.
For individuals applying through Italian consulates, the standard fee is now €600 per applicant, doubled from the previous €300. Those applying within Italy at local municipalities face similar increases, with new administrative charges capped at €600. In cases requiring recourse to Italy’s judicial system, such as disputes over eligibility, applicants will see fees rise slightly from €545 to €600.
Furthermore, retrieval of older civil records for applications is becoming significantly more expensive. For documents exceeding 100 years old, applicants may now pay up to €300 per record for certification. This extra cost particularly impacts individuals needing extensive genealogical research to prove their lineage.
These changes are expected to deter frivolous or inauthentic claims. However, the financial burden also raises concerns about accessibility, particularly for applicants from lower-income backgrounds. Wealthier individuals might easily bear the costs, while others could find the process prohibitively expensive, potentially creating inequities in access to Italian citizenship.
Centralization of Application Processing
Historically, Italian consulates worldwide handled citizenship applications independently. In regions with large numbers of Italian descendants, such as Latin America, this created an overwhelming backlog. Consular offices in Argentina, for example, frequently reported wait times of several years to process each claim.
To streamline the process, the government has centralized application evaluations within Rome. By moving toward a uniform system, officials aim to reduce inconsistencies and ease the strain on overwhelmed consulates. Applicants must now submit their documentation electronically to a central office in Italy, which will coordinate evaluations.
This centralization may improve logistical efficiency in the long term, but it also introduces new challenges. Applicants will rely heavily on remote processing, with limited opportunities to engage directly with consular representatives. Critics fear that this one-size-fits-all approach risks further alienating applicants, leading to longer wait times and diminished transparency.
The Debate on Citizenship and Identity
Italy’s new citizenship rules highlight a broader global conversation about how nations define identity and belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. Citizenship laws often reflect not only administrative needs but also deeper cultural and political values. In narrowing eligibility and raising fees, Italy appears to emphasize the importance of genuine, close ties to its present-day society.
Yet these changes also reveal inherent contradictions. While descendants of Italian emigrants have historically enjoyed favorable access to citizenship, other groups—such as children of migrants who have spent their entire lives in Italy 🇮🇹—face far stricter requirements. Under current law, these individuals can only apply for citizenship when they turn 18, creating a sharp divide between those born abroad with distant Italian ancestry and those raised within Italy but without Italian lineage.
This paradox raises important questions about inclusion. Are Italy’s reforms a step toward preserving its identity, or do they risk perpetuating inequality? These debates are playing out in public discourse, with advocates for diasporic communities cautioning against shutting out people who hold deeply personal connections to their heritage.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Applicants
For many, the dream of claiming Italian citizenship under the jus sanguinis framework will become more difficult—and expensive—to achieve. The new eligibility restrictions and fee increases necessitate careful consideration before embarking on an application. Prospective applicants are encouraged to verify their family history thoroughly and prepare for potentially higher documentation expenses.
On the positive side, the centralized processing system, if properly implemented, could reduce inconsistencies and create a clearer path for prospective citizens. Italy’s actions reflect the challenges of balancing tradition with modern realities. Immigration laws around the world are always evolving, and these latest reforms demonstrate how Italy seeks to address practical concerns while preserving the value of its citizenship.
For more information on laws related to Italian citizenship, visit Italy’s official Ministry of Interior website for authoritative guidance. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that individuals with immediate Italian ancestry should act quickly under these new rules, while those further removed might explore alternative pathways like residency permits or naturalization.
Ultimately, Italy’s revamped approach marks a significant step in defining what it means to be Italian in today’s context. Responsibility for preserving ancestral legacy now lies not just with applicants but also with the government, which must uphold fairness, transparency, and accessibility in how it administers citizenship. For better or worse, Italy’s reforms open a new chapter in its engagement with its global diaspora.
Learn Today
Jus sanguinis → A legal principle where citizenship is determined by ancestry or descent, rather than birthplace.
Diaspora → A population living outside its ancestral homeland, often maintaining cultural and emotional ties to it.
Eligibility criteria → Specific requirements an individual must meet to qualify for a particular status or benefit, like citizenship.
Genealogical research → The study and investigation of family histories and lineages, often used to establish ancestral connections.
Centralization → The process of consolidating operations or decision-making within a single, central authority or location.
This Article in a Nutshell
Italy’s March 2025 reforms transform citizenship by descent. Now limited to second-generation descendants, applications face higher fees and centralized processing. Intended to preserve Italian identity and streamline systems, critics warn of inequity, excluding distant descendants with strong cultural ties. Aspiring applicants should act swiftly to navigate stricter rules, rising costs, and identity debates.
— By VisaVerge.com
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