If you have Italian ancestry and wish to obtain Italian citizenship, your grandparents can play a crucial role. If one or both of your grandparents are/were Italian, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship.
Exploring jus sanguinis
Italian citizenship through descent operates under the principle of ‘jus sanguinis,’ or ‘right of blood.’ This legal concept enables individuals of Italian descent to assert their Italian citizenship. It acknowledges that citizenship can be inherited across generations based on lineage, rather than solely on place of birth.
To be eligible for Italian citizenship, you must have an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy. Alternatively, eligibility may apply if the Italian parent—not grandparent—resided continuously in Italy for at least two years. It is also essential that the Italian relative held exclusive Italian citizenship at the time of their death.
Once obtained, Italian citizenship confers all the rights and privileges enjoyed by native-born Italians, including eligibility for a European Union passport.
Application Routes
Within the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, you can proceed through three distinct routes:
- Administrative Route: As of 2025, with the enactment of Law No. 74/2025, Italian consulates and municipalities have ceased accepting applications for citizenship by descent. All administrative procedures are set to be centralized under a newly established governmental body; however, its structure, operational framework, and specific guidelines are still pending.
- Judicial Route: This is the only available pathway to obtaining Italian citizenship as of July 2025. Applicants who intend to challenge Law 74/2025 are strongly advised to retain documentation—such as a receipt or proof of their original place in line at a consulate—as part of their legal strategy.
It is important to emphasize that the outcome of these legal challenges remains uncertain, as Italian courts continue to evaluate the constitutionality and retroactive implications of the law.
- Residency in Italy: Apply while residing in Italy. If you intend to live in Italy, you can apply for citizenship after meeting residency criteria.
Take advantage of specialized assistance to secure your passport for a borderless future.
Documentation Needed:
Obtain the following documents (ensure they are newly issued, certified, authenticated with an apostille, and translated to Italian):
- Your grandfather’s birth record
- Your grandmother’s birth record
- Your grandparents’ marriage record
- Proof of your grandparent’s naturalization or evidence that they never naturalized
- Death certificate for the relevant grandparent
- Your father’s birth record
- Your mother’s birth record
- Your parents’ marriage record
- Death certificate for the parent in your direct line of eligibility
- Your own birth record
- Your marriage record (if applicable)
- Divorce decrees for you, your parents, or your grandparents (if relevant)
- Records of additional marriages (if applicable)
Expert Assistance and judicial route
While the process can be complex, with the right documentation and persistence, you can successfully claim Italian citizenship through your grandparents.
Consider seeking expert assistance, such as io.citizen, to navigate this journey. Our team of experts is ready to help make your dream of Italian dual citizenship come true. Contact us today!