Italy’s 2025 Citizenship reform: Guide for Italian-Americans
In 2025, Italy introduced significant changes to its citizenship law concerning citizenship by descent, commonly known as ius sanguinis. If you’re living in the United States and considering applying for Italian citizenship through your ancestry, it’s essential to understand how the new rules affect eligibility and the application process.
What’s new with Italian citizenship by descent?
Traditionally, Italy has granted citizenship to children born to an Italian parent regardless of where they were born. This law reflects the principle of ius sanguinis—“right of blood.” But the recent reform, effective from March 28, 2025, places new limits on this automatic transmission.
Key changes
-
Limited generational transmission: Now, citizenship can only be passed down if at least one parent or grandparent was born in Italy or legally lived there continuously for at least two years before the descendant’s birth or adoption.
-
No automatic citizenship for descendants born abroad holding foreign citizenship: Previously unrestricted, the law now restricts automatic citizenship if you were born abroad and already hold another nationality.
-
Applications filed before the March 27, 2025 deadline will still be handled under the old rules.
-
Stricter proof of connection to Italy: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine ongoing relationship with Italy like voting, passport renewal, AIRE update within 25 years of obtaining citizenship.
Additional rules
Former citizens who lost it before Aug. 15, 1992 can regain it by declaration from July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2027, paying 250 euros.
Also, From 2026, ius sanguinis cases shift to a single MAECI office in Rome; consulates will focus on services for existing citizens. Application fees jump from €300 to €600 per adult.
Three practical examples
- Grandson of grandfather born in Italy, never registered AIRE
Can claim citizenship, but must document grandfather’s birth in Italy and prove bloodline - Great-grandson of great-grandfather from Italy who emigrated in 1910
No longer automatically eligible; must move to Italy and accrue 3 years of residency. - Former Italian citizen naturalized U.S. citizen in 1980
May repurchase by filing declaration between 2025 – 2027 paying 250 euros with no Italian residency requirement.
What documents will you need to gather?
Successfully navigating the application requires comprehensive paperwork that confirms your lineage and meets the updated criteria:
-
Full birth certificate of the Italian ancestor (original from the Italian municipality)
-
Complete birth and marriage certificates for all descendants in the direct line
-
Death certificate of the Italian ancestor
-
Official proof that the ancestor did not naturalize abroad before their child’s birth
-
Residency certificates for parents, if applicable
-
Divorce or separation documents, if relevant
Every foreign document must be apostilled and officially translated into Italian.
Conclusion
Italian dual citizenship provides a wealth of opportunities, from practical benefits like high-quality healthcare and education to personal and cultural enrichment.
ItalianGenealogyPro can help you in the process of retrieving birth, marriage and death extracts of your ancestors so that you can succeed in obtaining Italian citizenship and enjoy all the benefits we have listed.
Contact us and get your free quote.
Italy’s 2025 Citizenship reform: Guide for Italian-Americans
In 2025, Italy introduced significant changes to its citizenship law concerning citizenship by descent, commonly known as ius sanguinis. If you’re living in the United States and considering applying for Italian citizenship through your ancestry, it’s essential to understand how the new rules affect eligibility and the application process.
What’s new with Italian citizenship by descent?
Traditionally, Italy has granted citizenship to children born to an Italian parent regardless of where they were born. This law reflects the principle of ius sanguinis—“right of blood.” But the recent reform, effective from March 28, 2025, places new limits on this automatic transmission.
Key changes
-
Limited generational transmission: Now, citizenship can only be passed down if at least one parent or grandparent was born in Italy or legally lived there continuously for at least two years before the descendant’s birth or adoption.
-
No automatic citizenship for descendants born abroad holding foreign citizenship: Previously unrestricted, the law now restricts automatic citizenship if you were born abroad and already hold another nationality.
-
Applications filed before the March 27, 2025 deadline will still be handled under the old rules.
-
Stricter proof of connection to Italy: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine ongoing relationship with Italy like voting, passport renewal, AIRE update within 25 years of obtaining citizenship.
Additional rules
Former citizens who lost it before Aug. 15, 1992 can regain it by declaration from July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2027, paying 250 euros.
Also, From 2026, ius sanguinis cases shift to a single MAECI office in Rome; consulates will focus on services for existing citizens. Application fees jump from €300 to €600 per adult.
Three practical examples
- Grandson of grandfather born in Italy, never registered AIRE
Can claim citizenship, but must document grandfather’s birth in Italy and prove bloodline - Great-grandson of great-grandfather from Italy who emigrated in 1910
No longer automatically eligible; must move to Italy and accrue 3 years of residency. - Former Italian citizen naturalized U.S. citizen in 1980
May repurchase by filing declaration between 2025 – 2027 paying 250 euros with no Italian residency requirement.
What documents will you need to gather?
Successfully navigating the application requires comprehensive paperwork that confirms your lineage and meets the updated criteria:
-
Full birth certificate of the Italian ancestor (original from the Italian municipality)
-
Complete birth and marriage certificates for all descendants in the direct line
-
Death certificate of the Italian ancestor
-
Official proof that the ancestor did not naturalize abroad before their child’s birth
-
Residency certificates for parents, if applicable
-
Divorce or separation documents, if relevant
Every foreign document must be apostilled and officially translated into Italian.
Conclusion
Italian dual citizenship provides a wealth of opportunities, from practical benefits like high-quality healthcare and education to personal and cultural enrichment.
ItalianGenealogyPro can help you in the process of retrieving birth, marriage and death extracts of your ancestors so that you can succeed in obtaining Italian citizenship and enjoy all the benefits we have listed.
Contact us and get your free quote.
