The Italian Senate approved Decree-Law No. 36/2025 on Thursday, May 15, imposing restrictions on the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent. The measure, proposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, passed with 81 votes in favor and 37 against, in a session with low participation—only 119 out of 205 eligible senators attended.
The bill now moves to the Chamber of Deputies, where the government also holds a majority, and is expected to be voted on by May 27 to become final.
Key changes of the Decree-Law 36/2025
Effective since March 28, the decree amends the 1992 Citizenship Law, limiting recognition by jus sanguinis (right of blood) to only children and grandchildren of Italian citizens. Previously, there was no generational limit for citizenship transmission.
Additionally, the decree requires that the direct Italian ancestor (parent, grandparent) must have solely held Italian citizenship at the time of death, excluding descendants of Italians who acquired another nationality. For example, if your Italian grandfather emigrated to the U.S. and became a U.S. citizen before 1992, when Italy began allowing dual citizenship, you would no longer be eligible for Italian citizenship. Alternatively, the parent must have lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after obtaining citizenship and before the child’s birth.
The Italian government justifies these changes as a way to prevent abuses and strengthen the connection between Italy and its citizens abroad. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the aim is to avoid the commercialization of Italian passports and to align Italy’s citizenship policies with those of other European countries.
“The principle of jus sanguinis will not be abolished, and many descendants can still obtain Italian citizenship. However, clear limits will be set, mainly to prevent abuses or the commercialization of Italian passports. Citizenship must be taken seriously,” Tajani emphasized.
Who does it apply to?
The decree only affects new applications for citizenship. Requests submitted before March 28 will still follow the previous rules, which had no generational limits.
The measure impacts millions of Italian descendants worldwide, especially in Brazil and Argentina, where large Italian communities reside. In Brazil, for example, recognized Italian citizenship cases rose from 14,000 in 2022 to 20,000 in 2024. In Argentina, numbers increased from 20,000 in 2023 to 30,000 the following year.
Next steps
Following the Senate’s approval of the Tajani Decree, the bill, now designated A.C. 2402, advances to the Chamber of Deputies for review and voting, scheduled for May 27. If approved, the decree will become law, formalizing new rules for Italian citizenship by descent.
Meanwhile, Italian descendant communities worldwide remain mobilized, seeking legal alternatives and pressuring the Italian government to reconsider the restrictions.
For those interested in applying for citizenship, this is a critical moment. Gathering all necessary documents in advance could be decisive, as the Parliament may set a deadline for applications once the decree passes.
Having documents ready and organized may provide a significant advantage for those submitting their applications before the new requirements take effect.
The io.citizen team is closely monitoring all updates on the decree. We are committed to providing clear, up-to-date, and trustworthy information with full transparency.Stay tuned to our channels for the latest news and guidance on this important topic for Italian descendants.
