In January, 14, 2026, the Italian Senate approved bill AC‑2369, which introduces a centralized system that transfers the responsibility for evaluating citizenship applications from local consulates to a new office in Rome. This reform is part of a broader governmental effort to reorganize services provided to citizens and businesses abroad, and it reflects a growing political interest in tightening and standardizing citizenship procedures. With 76 votes in favor, 55 against, and no abstentions, the measure passed decisively and now awaits publication in the Gazzetta Ufficiale before being formally enacted.
Creation of a centralized citizenship office in Rome
At the heart of the reform is the creation of the Central Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAECI), a new administrative body that will assume full responsibility for processing citizenship applications by descent. The transition will occur gradually, with full implementation expected by 2029. Once the system is in place, all jus sanguinis applications submitted worldwide will be handled exclusively in Rome.
Key changes introduced by the new law
The reform introduces several practical and procedural changes that will directly affect applicants. One of the most notable is the extension of the maximum processing time from 24 to 36 months.
Another major change concerns the number of applications consulates may accept during the transition. Each consulate will be limited to receiving only as many applications as it managed to complete in the previous year, with a minimum threshold of 100 applications per consulate.
For adult applicants, the new law stipulates that all documents must be submitted in original paper form and physically sent to Rome. Digital submissions will not be accepted, which represents a significant shift away from modern administrative practices.
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Administrative impacts
The government has announced plans to hire approximately 80 employees for the new office in Rome. However, this number appears modest when compared to the workload currently handled by individual consulates. Centralizing global applications in Rome with a team only slightly larger than that of a single consulate has raised reasonable concerns among specialists about the system’s ability to operate efficiently.
Adjustments approved in the chamber of deputies
Despite the overall criticism, some improvements were introduced during the bill’s passage through the Chamber of Deputies. One of the most relevant adjustments was the reduction of the maximum processing time from four years to three. Another modification allows Italian citizens residing abroad to request an Italian identity card in any municipality in Italy, provided they appear in person. Additionally, the original implementation date of 2028 was postponed to 2029.
Judicial route as a more reliable alternative
Given the increasing complexity of the administrative process, many specialists continue to recommend the judicial route as the fastest and most reliable option for Italian descendants. For applicants facing long delays or restrictive administrative barriers, the judicial path may become even more appealing in the coming years.
