Italian Ancestry No Longer Enough to Claim Citizenship in U.S.

Key Takeaways

• Law No. 74/2025 limits Italian citizenship by descent to parents or grandparents born in Italy only.
• Applications filed before March 28, 2025, follow old rules; new law effective May 24, 2025.
• June 2025 referendum may reduce residency naturalization from 10 to 5 years, creating new citizenship paths.

Italy’s New Citizenship Law: What Americans with Italian Roots Need to Know

Italy 🇮🇹 has made sweeping changes to its citizenship laws, ending the long-standing tradition that allowed Americans and others to claim Italian citizenship simply because they had an Italian ancestor, no matter how distant. On May 24, 2025, Law No. 74/2025 came into force, making the Tajani Decree permanent and changing the rules for Italian citizenship by descent—also known as “jure sanguinis.” This move has left millions of people in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world wondering if they still qualify, and what steps they need to take now.

Who is affected?
Anyone hoping to claim Italian citizenship based on ancestry, especially those whose closest Italian-born relative is a great-grandparent or further back, is directly affected. The law now requires a much closer connection to Italy: you must have a parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for at least two years before you were born. This change applies to all new applications filed after March 27, 2025.

Why did Italy change the law?
Italian officials, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, say the reform is needed to ensure that only people with a “real, living connection” to Italy can become citizens. The government also wants to reduce the huge backlog of citizenship applications at Italian consulates, especially in countries with large Italian-descendant populations like the United States 🇺🇸, Brazil, and Argentina.

Let’s break down what these changes mean, who can still apply, and what options remain for Americans seeking Italian citizenship.

The New Law: Law No. 74/2025 and the Tajani Decree

What changed?
Law No. 74/2025, which took effect on May 24, 2025, permanently limits automatic Italian citizenship by descent to just two generations. This means you can only claim Italian citizenship if you have:

• A parent born in Italy
• A grandparent born in Italy
• A parent who lived in Italy for at least two years before your birth

If your closest Italian-born ancestor is a great-grandparent or further back, you are no longer eligible—unless your parent or grandparent meets the new birth or residency requirements.

Key deadlines and dates:

• Effective date of new law: May 24, 2025
• Grandfathering deadline: Applications filed before March 28, 2025, are processed under the old rules
• Minors’ citizenship declaration deadline: May 31, 2026
• Reacquisition window for former citizens: July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2027

Proof requirements:
Only official documents—such as birth, marriage, and naturalization records—are accepted as proof. Sworn statements or testimony are no longer valid in court disputes.

Who Can Still Claim Italian Citizenship by Descent?

The new law draws a clear line. Here’s a simple summary:

Minors under 18 as of May 24, 2025:
If you are under 18 and your parent is Italian, your parent can file a declaration for your citizenship by May 31, 2026.

Former citizens:
If you were born in Italy or lived there for at least two years, you may be able to reacquire Italian citizenship by declaration between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent (as of June 2025)

If you believe you still qualify under the new rules, here’s what you need to do:

1. Check your eligibility:
   • Do you have a parent or grandparent born in Italy?
   • Did your parent live in Italy for at least two years before you were born?
   • If not, you are not eligible under the new law.
2. Gather your documents:
   • Collect birth, marriage, and naturalization records for each generation in your family chain.
   • Make sure all documents clearly show the connection to your Italian-born parent or grandparent.
   • Only official documents are accepted—no affidavits or personal statements.
3. Book your appointment:
   • Use the Prenot@mi portal to schedule a virtual appointment with your local Italian consulate.
4. Mail your application:
   • On the day of your appointment, send all required documents by certified mail to the consulate.
   • Do not appear in person unless instructed.
5. Wait for processing:
   • Applications are reviewed under the new law.
   • Processing times may vary, especially as consulates adjust to the new system.

For more details, visit the Consulate General of Italy in New York – Citizenship by Descent page.

What About Applications Filed Before March 28, 2025?

If you submitted your application before 11:59 PM Rome time on March 27, 2025, your case will be processed under the old rules. This means you may still qualify even if your closest Italian-born ancestor is a great-grandparent or further back. However, you must be able to prove that your application was filed before the deadline.

The June 2025 Referendum: A New Path to Italian Citizenship?

A national referendum scheduled for June 8–9, 2025, could change the rules for citizenship by residency. If the referendum passes, the residency requirement for naturalization will drop from ten years to five. This could open a new path for Americans and others who do not qualify by descent.

How would this work?

1. Move to Italy and obtain legal residency.
2. Live in Italy legally for five years (if the referendum passes; currently ten years).
3. Show that you are integrated into Italian society (language skills, income, etc.).
4. Apply for citizenship through your local municipality.

This process is more demanding than citizenship by descent, but it could become the main option for many Americans with Italian roots who no longer qualify under the new law.

Why Did Italy Make These Changes?

Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, who led the reform, says the new law is meant to ensure that only people with a “real, living connection” to Italy can become citizens. The government also wants to reduce the huge backlog of citizenship applications at consulates, which has caused long delays for many applicants.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella signed the Tajani Decree into law, making these changes permanent.

Key reasons for the reform:

• Administrative relief:
  The law aims to reduce overwhelming backlogs at consulates, especially in countries with large Italian-descendant populations.

• Legal certainty:
  The new rules make it clear who is eligible, reducing confusion and disputes.

• Global trends:
  Italy 🇮🇹 is following other countries that have tightened rules for citizenship by ancestry.

Reactions from the Italian Diaspora and Legal Experts

The new law has sparked strong reactions from Italian communities abroad, especially in the United States 🇺🇸, Brazil, and Argentina.

• Diaspora organizations:
  Many groups say the law severs cultural and family ties, especially for people whose families left Italy generations ago. They worry that Italian identity will fade among expatriate communities.

• Legal experts:
  Some warn that the law will “gradually erase” Italian citizenship among expatriate communities, since second-generation descendants can no longer pass citizenship to their children unless they reestablish ties to Italy.

• Government officials:
  They defend the law as necessary for administrative efficiency and national security.

Some advocacy groups may challenge the law in Italian or European courts, but for now, Law No. 74/2025 is in force and being implemented.

What Happens at Italian Consulates Now?

As the new law takes effect, many Italian consulates have suspended or changed their appointment systems. The government plans to centralize all citizenship applications, but the new system is not yet ready. This has caused temporary disruptions and confusion for applicants.

If you are planning to apply, check your local consulate’s website for the latest instructions. Use the Prenot@mi portal to book appointments and follow all official guidance.

Special Cases: Minors and Former Citizens

Minors:
If you are under 18 as of May 24, 2025, and your parent is Italian, your parent can file a declaration for your citizenship by May 31, 2026.

Former citizens:
If you were born in Italy or lived there for at least two years, you may reacquire Italian citizenship by declaration between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are an American with Italian ancestry and want to claim Italian citizenship, here’s what you should do:

• Check your eligibility:
  Review your family tree to see if you have a parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for two years before your birth.

• Gather documents:
  Start collecting official records now. Only documentary evidence is accepted.

• Monitor official updates:
  The rules may change again, especially if the June 2025 referendum passes.

• Consult experts:
  If you are unsure about your eligibility or need help with the process, consider consulting an Italian immigration attorney or a specialized law firm.

• Use official resources:
  Visit the Consulate General of Italy in New York – Citizenship by Descent for step-by-step instructions and updates.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Italian Citizenship

The new law marks a major shift in how Italy 🇮🇹 views citizenship. For decades, anyone with an Italian ancestor could claim citizenship, no matter how many generations had passed. Now, only those with a recent, direct connection to Italy can qualify.

If the June 2025 referendum passes, residency-based citizenship could become easier, offering a new path for Americans and others who want to reconnect with their Italian heritage. However, this process requires moving to Italy and living there for several years.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that while the new law closes the door for many, it also brings Italy’s citizenship policies in line with those of other countries. Many nations now require a closer connection for citizenship by descent, and Italy’s move is part of a global trend.

Key Takeaways

• Italian citizenship by descent is now limited to two generations.
  You must have a parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for two years before your birth.

• Great-grandparent lineage is no longer enough.
  Most Americans with Italian ancestry beyond grandparents are now ineligible.

• Applications filed before March 28, 2025, are grandfathered.
  These will be processed under the old rules.

• A referendum in June 2025 may reduce the residency requirement for naturalization.
  This could open a new path for those who do not qualify by descent.

• Only official documents are accepted as proof.
  Sworn statements or testimony are no longer valid.

• Check official resources and consult experts.
  For the latest updates and detailed instructions, visit your local Italian consulate’s website or the Consulate General of Italy in New York – Citizenship by Descent.

Final Thoughts

Italian ancestry alone is no longer enough for Americans to claim citizenship. The new law, Law No. 74/2025, also known as the Tajani Decree, means only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for two years before their birth, are eligible. All others must look to alternative paths, such as residency-based naturalization, which may soon become easier if the June 2025 referendum passes.

For the most current procedures and eligibility, always consult your local Italian consulate and monitor official government updates. The landscape of Italian citizenship is changing, and staying informed is the best way to keep your options open.

Learn Today

Law No. 74/2025 → Italian legislation effective May 24, 2025, limiting citizenship by descent to two generations.
Tajani Decree → Permanent reform ensuring citizenship requires a real connection to Italy, reducing consulate backlogs.
Jure Sanguinis → Citizenship by descent based on bloodline, traditionally allowing multiple generations to claim citizenship.
Naturalization → Process of acquiring citizenship through residency and integration, not ancestry.
Prenot@mi Portal → Official Italian government website to book consular appointments online.

This Article in a Nutshell

Italy’s new citizenship law restricts claims to two generations, affecting Americans with distant Italian ancestors. Only parents or grandparents born in Italy or parents living two years before birth qualify. Applicants must use official documents, and early applicants are grandfathered under old rules, pending a 2025 referendum on residency requirements.
— By VisaVerge.com