Italy Revises Citizenship Laws for Descendants: New Regulations Introduced

In a bid to strengthen ties with Italian citizens abroad and reduce misuse of passport issuance, Italy has approved a new law that modifies the criteria for descendants seeking citizenship. The recent legislation, ratified by parliament on a Tuesday, mandates that applicants must demonstrate that at least one of their parents or grandparents was a citizen of Italy by birth to qualify for an Italian passport, as opposed to the previous requirement that only necessitated having an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861, the date marking the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy.

The government cited the need to "enhance" the relationship between Italy and its citizens residing overseas while also curbing potential abuses and the commercialization of citizenship. The surge in the number of citizens living abroad—rising by 40% from approximately 4.6 million in 2014 to about 6.4 million in 2024—has contributed to increased pressure on consular services, illustrated by a backlog of over 60,000 pending citizenship applications as of March this year.

According to the foreign ministry, these changes will allow for a more efficient allocation of resources within consular services, targeting those who have a genuine connection to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that descendants of Italians would still have the opportunity to apply for citizenship but will face stricter guidelines to prevent any potential exploitation or commercialization associated with acquiring Italian passports. "Citizenship must be a serious thing," he stated, underscoring the importance of the new regulatory measures.