Italy Revises Citizenship Laws for Descendants Amidst Growing Demand

The Italian government has amended its citizenship laws, now requiring applicants to prove a direct bloodline connection to a citizen by birth to obtain a passport, in response to a significant increase in citizenship requests from descendants abroad.

Italy has taken significant steps to revise its citizenship laws, aiming to tighten the requirements for individuals with Italian ancestry seeking passports. Previously, the Italian citizenship law, based on the 'jus sanguinis' principle, permitted individuals to claim citizenship through an ancestor living after March 17, 1861, the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy. However, a new law approved by parliament on Tuesday stipulates that applicants must demonstrate that at least one of their parents or grandparents was born an Italian citizen.

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has cited the need to strengthen the connection between Italy and its citizens residing abroad, while simultaneously addressing concerns over the misuse and commercialization of citizenship rights. The rapid increase in the number of citizens abroad—rising from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million between late 2014 and late 2024—has further fueled this legislative change.

As of March, over 60,000 citizenship verification cases were pending, prompting officials to overhaul the application process to enhance efficiency. Italy's foreign ministry emphasized that the updated guidelines would ensure consular services prioritize those with legitimate connections to the country.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reassured that although stricter criteria would be implemented to prevent abuse, individuals with Italian lineage would still have the opportunity to obtain citizenship. Tajani remarked, "Citizenship must be a serious matter," reflecting the government's desire to safeguard the integrity of Italian nationality.