As of August 2025, Italy has put in place a sweeping new law that changes how people can claim Italian citizenship through their family roots. The law, known as the Tajani decree-law, was signed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government on March 28, 2025, and took effect right away. This move has shut out millions of people worldwide who once hoped to become Italian citizens through their ancestors. The change has caused confusion, disappointment, and anger among Italian communities abroad, especially in countries like the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Australia 🇦🇺, and many parts of South America.
What Changed and Why It Matters
The Tajani decree-law, officially called Decreto-Legge 28 marzo 2025, n. 36, is the most restrictive reform to Italy’s citizenship rules in decades. Before this law, Italy was famous for letting people claim citizenship through their bloodline (called “jure sanguinis”) without any limit on how many generations could pass it down. This meant that even great-great-grandchildren of Italians who moved abroad could apply for Italian citizenship, as long as they could prove their family connection.
Now, the rules are much stricter. The law only allows citizenship to be passed down for two generations. This means that if your Italian grandparent moved abroad, you could still claim citizenship, but your children could not. The law also says that either your parent must have lived in Italy for at least two years, or your grandparent must have been born in Italy. If you don’t meet these conditions, you can’t get Italian citizenship through your family anymore.
Key Features of the Tajani Decree-Law
- Two-Generation Limit: Citizenship by descent can only be passed down to the second generation. If you are a third-generation descendant (for example, your grandparent was Italian, but your parent was born abroad and never lived in Italy), you are no longer eligible.
- Residency or Birth Requirement: To pass on citizenship, your parent must have lived in Italy for at least two years, or your grandparent must have been born in Italy. This rule blocks many people whose families left Italy long ago.
- No More Indefinite Transmission: The law stops the chain of citizenship after the second generation. Even if you get citizenship now, your children will not be able to claim it unless you or your parent meet the new residency or birth rules.
- Grandfathering Clause: If you applied for citizenship before midnight on March 27, 2025, your application will be processed under the old, more generous rules. Any applications after that date must follow the new, stricter law.
Immediate Impact on Italian Descendants Worldwide
The new law has a huge effect on people around the world who dreamed of becoming Italian citizens. Experts estimate that about 2.5 million people, mostly in South America, the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, and Australia 🇦🇺, will now be excluded or face much tougher requirements. Many of these people have spent years gathering documents, saving money, and waiting for their turn at Italian consulates, only to find the door suddenly closed.
Italian consulates in several countries have already stopped taking new appointments for citizenship applications. Some closed their booking systems with no warning, leaving applicants confused and frustrated. The government says it will create a new central office to handle all citizenship applications, but this system is not ready yet and may take years to set up. In the meantime, people are left in limbo, not knowing if or when they can apply.
Legal and Social Consequences
This reform marks a big change in Italy’s approach to its diaspora—the millions of people with Italian roots living outside the country. For decades, Italy’s open citizenship policy helped keep strong cultural and family ties between Italy and its descendants abroad. Many people saw Italian citizenship as a way to connect with their heritage, travel freely in Europe, or even move back to Italy someday.
Now, those connections are at risk. The new law means that Italian citizenship will slowly disappear from many families over time. Second-generation descendants can still apply, but their children will not be able to. This could lead to a loss of Italian culture and identity among communities that have kept their traditions alive for generations.
Critics say the law is unfair and short-sighted. They argue that it punishes people for choices their ancestors made long ago and ignores the value of keeping ties with Italians abroad. Some also worry that the new rules could hurt Italy’s image as a welcoming, open country.
Supporters of the law, including Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing coalition, say the change is needed to prevent abuse and make citizenship rules clearer. They argue that Italy should focus on people who have a real connection to the country, not distant descendants who may never have visited Italy. Meloni has called the new system “an excellent law” and pointed out that Italy has granted a large number of citizenships in recent years.
Political Battle and the Failed Referendum
The new law did not go unchallenged. Many advocacy groups, NGOs, and the center-left Democratic Party pushed back, saying the law was too harsh and would break up families and communities. They organized a grassroots campaign to hold a national referendum on June 8-9, 2025, hoping to reverse or soften the new rules.
The referendum asked voters if they wanted to reduce the residency requirement for naturalization from 10 years to 5 and restore more inclusive citizenship rights. Supporters hoped this would make it easier for people to become Italian citizens, even if they did not meet the new strict rules.
However, the government strongly opposed the referendum. Meloni’s coalition urged people to stay home and not vote, hoping the turnout would be too low for the result to count. In Italy, a referendum needs at least 50% of eligible voters to take part for it to be valid.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the government’s boycott campaign worked. The referendum failed to reach the required quorum due to low turnout. As a result, the restrictive Tajani decree-law remains in force, and no immediate changes are expected.
Background: How Italy’s Citizenship Policy Evolved
To understand why this change matters so much, it helps to look at Italy’s history with citizenship. For many years, Italy had one of the most open policies in Europe. Anyone who could prove they had an Italian ancestor—no matter how many generations back—could apply for citizenship. This policy was based on the idea that Italian identity could be passed down through blood, not just by living in the country.
This approach made sense in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when millions of Italians left the country to find work and build new lives abroad. Their children and grandchildren often kept strong ties to Italy, speaking the language, following traditions, and visiting family back home.
Over time, however, some politicians and experts began to question whether the policy still made sense. They pointed out that some people were using Italian citizenship mainly to get access to the European Union, not because they felt a real connection to Italy. Others worried that the system was too easy to abuse, with fake documents or dishonest claims.
Giorgia Meloni’s government came to power promising to tighten immigration and citizenship rules. The Tajani decree-law is part of a broader effort to control who can become Italian and to make sure that citizenship is only given to people with a strong, direct link to the country.
Comparing Italy to Other Countries
With the new law, Italy now has rules more like those in Germany, France, and other European countries. These countries usually limit citizenship by descent to one or two generations and often require proof of residency or other strong ties. Before the reform, Italy stood out for its openness, but now it is much more restrictive.
This shift has disappointed many in the Italian diaspora, who saw Italy’s old policy as a sign of pride and connection. Some worry that Italy is turning its back on its history as a country of emigrants and is forgetting the millions of people who helped build its reputation around the world.
Expert Opinions and Community Reactions
Experts are divided on whether the new law is a good idea. Some legal scholars and politicians say it brings Italy in line with international standards and helps prevent fraud. They argue that citizenship should not be passed down forever, especially if people have no real connection to the country.
Others, including many community leaders and advocacy groups, say the law is too harsh. They point out that many people with Italian roots have kept up their language, culture, and traditions, even after several generations abroad. They argue that these people should not be punished just because their families left Italy long ago.
A spokesperson for an Italian-American organization in New York said, “This law cuts off millions of people who feel deeply Italian. It’s not just about a passport—it’s about family, culture, and belonging. We hope the government will listen to our concerns and find a way to keep us connected.”
Practical Problems: Consulate Closures and Application Delays
The sudden change in the law has caused chaos at Italian consulates around the world. Many consulates closed their booking systems without warning, leaving people who had spent years preparing their applications with nowhere to turn. Some applicants had already gathered all their documents and were just waiting for an appointment, only to find out they no longer qualify.
The government says it will create a new central office to handle all citizenship applications, but this system is not ready yet. It may take years to build the technology and hire enough staff to process the huge number of applications. In the meantime, people are stuck waiting, with no clear answers about when or if they can apply.
Some legal experts warn that the confusion could lead to lawsuits or appeals, especially from people who started their applications before the law changed. The grandfathering clause protects those who applied before March 28, 2025, but there are still questions about how consulates will handle cases that were in progress but not yet submitted.
How the Law Affects Different Groups
- Italian Descendants Abroad: The biggest impact is on people with Italian roots living outside Italy. Many will no longer be able to claim citizenship, even if they have strong family ties and a deep love for Italian culture.
- Families: The law can split families, with some members able to get citizenship and others not. For example, a parent might qualify, but their children do not.
- Italian Communities: Many Italian clubs, schools, and cultural groups abroad rely on strong ties to Italy. The new law could weaken these connections over time.
- Italy Itself: Some experts worry that Italy will lose out on the benefits of having a large, engaged diaspora. These communities often promote Italian culture, trade, and tourism, and can help Italy’s image around the world.
What Can Affected People Do Now?
If you are affected by the new law, here are some practical steps you can take:
- Check Your Eligibility: Review the new rules carefully to see if you still qualify. Remember, you must be within two generations of an Italian ancestor, and either your parent must have lived in Italy for two years or your grandparent must have been born in Italy.
- Contact Consulates: Reach out to your local Italian consulate for updates. Be aware that services may be limited due to the ongoing centralization process.
- Gather Documents: If you still qualify, make sure you have all the required documents, such as birth certificates, marriage records, and proof of residency or birth in Italy.
- Seek Legal Advice: If you are unsure about your case, consider contacting a lawyer who specializes in Italian citizenship law. Organizations like the Italian American Bar Association can help.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from the Italian Ministry of Interior, which provides official information on citizenship applications and procedures. You can find more details at the Italian Ministry of Interior website.
- Join Advocacy Groups: Many organizations are still fighting for more inclusive policies. Joining these groups can help you stay informed and add your voice to the debate.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Italian Citizenship?
For now, the Tajani decree-law remains in force, and the two-generation limit is the law of the land. The failed referendum means there are no immediate plans to change the rules. The government may continue to work on the new centralized application system, but it could be years before it is fully up and running.
Advocacy groups and diaspora communities are not giving up. They continue to lobby for more inclusive policies and hope that future governments will listen to their concerns. Some experts believe that public pressure and changing political winds could eventually lead to a softening of the rules, but for now, the outlook is uncertain.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Italy and Its Diaspora
The 2025 citizenship reform under Giorgia Meloni’s government is a turning point for Italy and its millions of descendants abroad. The Tajani decree-law has closed the door to many who once dreamed of becoming Italian citizens, changing the country’s relationship with its diaspora forever.
While supporters say the law brings clarity and fairness, critics argue it breaks family ties and weakens Italy’s global community. The failed referendum shows how divided the country is on this issue, and how hard it will be to find a solution that satisfies everyone.
For those affected, the best advice is to stay informed, seek help if needed, and keep speaking up for more inclusive policies. The story of Italian citizenship is still being written, and the voices of the diaspora will continue to shape its future.
For the latest official updates and guidance on citizenship applications, visit the Italian Ministry of Interior’s official website. For those seeking legal help or community support, organizations like the Italian American Bar Association and local Italian cultural groups remain valuable resources.
As Italy moves forward with these new rules, the world will be watching to see how the country balances its proud history with the needs and hopes of its global family.
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