by Guisela Chiarella
Italy’s government has moved to tighten its citizenship laws, aiming to curb what it calls the “abuse” of the system through claims of Italian citizenship by descent. A decree, which took effect at midnight on Friday, introduces a new framework for those seeking Italian passports based on their ancestry.
The surprise announcement, made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, will require applicants to have at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy. This new regulation adjusts the country’s longstanding ius sanguinis (right of blood) law, which dates back to 1992. Under the old rules, anyone with an Italian ancestor born after March 17, 1861—the year the Kingdom of Italy was established—could apply for citizenship.
“Being an Italian citizen is a serious matter. The granting of citizenship is a serious matter,” Tajani said in a Friday evening news conference. “Unfortunately, over the years there have been abuses and requests for citizenship that went a bit beyond the true interest in our country.”
The new rules mark a shift toward a more restrictive approach. Tajani emphasized that the reform is “of great importance because it aims to strengthen the bond between those who want to be an Italian citizen and Italy,” stressing that citizenship should not be granted automatically to those with ancestors who emigrated centuries ago, especially if they have no cultural or linguistic ties to the country.
The reform is part of the broader Ius Italiae citizenship reform project promoted by Tajani. He underscored that the goal is to create a connection with “real Italians, not just citizens of convenience.”
This move comes as Italy faces a growing number of citizenship applications, with more than 60,000 currently pending, many of them from the large Italian diaspora in countries like Argentina and Brazil. Over the past decade, the number of Italians living abroad has surged by 40 percent, rising from around 4.6 million to 6.4 million. This increase has largely been fueled by successful citizenship by descent claims, particularly from countries where many Italians emigrated during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
We spoke with three Americans about their views on Italian citizenship by descent. Gabriel, whose grandfather was born in Italy, exercised his right to an Italian passport under the existing rules. Victor, the last of the interviewees, also became an Italian citizen, tracing his lineage back to his great-grandparents—an avenue that will now be closed under the new law. Alexandra, however, chose not to pursue citizenship despite qualifying. She felt there should be a statute of limitations on how far back one can claim Italian nationality, noting that her family immigrated to the U.S. four generations ago—too distant, in her view, to justify citizenship today.
Tajani’s comments reflect the broader political sentiment in Italy, where concerns about preserving national identity have risen. The reform, however, will not affect those who have already submitted applications by midnight on March 27, nor will it apply retroactively to those who have already obtained citizenship by descent.
So, what changes for those applying for Italian citizenship by descent under the new rules?
- Yes to grandchildren of Italians: Individuals with at least one grandparent born in Italy will still be able to apply.
- No to great-grandparents: Applications based on more distant ancestors, such as great-great-grandparents, will no longer be accepted.
- Stricter controls and higher costs: Verification of documents will become more stringent to prevent fraud, and the application fee will rise from €600 to €700.
As part of the broader citizenship reform, Italy is also planning a referendum on citizenship laws, which will take place in June. These changes, coupled with the looming referendum, reflect a more selective approach to Italian citizenship, one that seeks to strengthen the connection between the country and those claiming a heritage from its shores.
