Italian citizenship has long been a valuable asset for descendants of Italian nationals worldwide.
Historically, jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) allowed individuals to claim citizenship based on ancestry, even if they were separated by several generations from their Italian-born relatives. However, recent legislative changes have significantly tightened citizenship eligibility, prompting widespread concern among Italian descendants and international legal experts.
This article explores the reasons behind stricter citizenship rules, the latest legislative changes, comparisons with other European countries, and the ongoing public debate surrounding the future of jus sanguinis.
Why is Italy tightening citizenship rules?
There are several key factors contributing to Italy’s growing restrictions on citizenship by descent. These include political motives, administrative concerns, and pressure from the European Union (EU).
1. Political pressure from conservative parties
Italy’s political landscape has been shifting in recent years, with right-wing parties like Lega Nord advocating for stricter immigration controls. For these groups, citizenship by descent is seen as a legal loophole that allows individuals who may have never set foot in Italy to obtain an Italian passport.
Prominent politicians argue that citizenship should reflect a genuine cultural and territorial connection, rather than being granted based solely on ancestry.
2. Security concerns and contested crime associations
Another argument behind stricter citizenship laws is related to national security. Conservative political figures in Europe suggest that loose citizenship policies enable foreign individuals to misuse an European nationality, potentially affecting security and social policies.
Several studies demonstrate that such connections are not backed by solid data and instead serve as political rhetoric. Nonetheless, security concerns remain a key talking point in legislative debates.
3. System overload due to surging applications
Italy has experienced an exponential increase in citizenship applications, particularly from Latin America, North America, and Australia, where large Italian-descendant communities reside.
Since 2014, applications have surged by 40%, placing significant strain on Italian consulates and municipalities. Some regions have reported processing delays exceeding five years. By restricting eligibility criteria, the government aims to reduce bureaucratic overload and improve processing efficiency.
4. Cost reduction in citizenship processing
Granting citizenship by descent involves complex document verification, legal processing, and administrative work. As requests continue to soar, associated expenses have risen sharply, creating a financial burden for the Italian state.
Officials justify recent reforms as a way to reduce citizenship-related costs and allocate resources more effectively.
5. Pressure from the European Union (EU)
- Italy’s citizenship policies have drawn scrutiny from the EU, which has been promoting stricter immigration standards across Europe.
- Some EU officials believe Italy’s previous citizenship laws conflicted with broader migration policies.
- Aligning with EU strategies may have influenced Italy to reconsider its historically lenient jus sanguinis policies.
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Key changes to Italian citizenship rules
The new restrictions, established under Decree-Law No. 36/2025, introduce significant modifications to citizenship eligibility:
Generational limits on citizenship by descent
- Previously: No generational limit; individuals could claim citizenship through distant ancestors.
- Now: Only children and grandchildren of Italian nationals born in Italy qualify.
Retroactive application of rules
- Previously: Anyone born with Italian ancestry maintained the right to apply at any time.
- Now: Individuals who did not submit an application before March 28, 2025, are ineligible, even if they were previously entitled.
Comparison with other European countries
Italy is not the only EU nation revising its citizenship policies. Here’s how other countries have handled similar cases:
- Germany: Recently expanded citizenship rights for descendants of Holocaust victims, allowing more individuals to reclaim German nationality.
- Portugal: Maintained its Golden Visa program but raised investment minimums to €500,000.
- France: Introduced new restrictions on citizenship through marriage, citing security concerns after terrorist attacks.
Public Debate and Controversy
The tightening of Italian citizenship rules has sparked heated discussions. Here are some of the arguments for each ideology:
Arguments supporting stricter citizenship rules:
- Preventing fraud: Stricter rules help eliminate fraudulent citizenship claims, ensuring only genuinely eligible individuals obtain nationality.
- Reducing pressure on public services: A surge in new Italian citizens could strain healthcare, education, and social welfare systems.
- Aligning citizenship laws with residency-based models: Prioritizing residents over non-residents aligns Italy’s laws with broader European trends.
Arguments against stricter citizenship rules:
- Discrimination against migrants and mixed-nationality families: The restrictions unfairly block descendants who strongly identify with Italy but live abroad.
- Weakening connection to Italy’s global diaspora: There are over 80 million individuals worldwide with Italian ancestry, and the new rules sever their historical ties to Italy.
- Legal challenges on retroactivity: Many legal experts argue that retroactive restrictions violate constitutional principles, making the decree vulnerable to court challenges.
What’s next? The uncertain future of Italian citizenship laws
What’s next? The uncertain future of Italian citizenship laws
On March 28, 2025, Italy enacted Decree-Law No. 36/2025, introducing major restrictions on jus sanguinis citizenship. The approval of Law No. 74 of May 23, 2025, solidified the new limitations proposed by Decree–Law No. 36/2025. Historically, Italian citizenship recognition had no generational limits, allowing great-grandchildren and further descendants to apply.
The new law restricts eligibility to individuals whose Italian parent(s) or grandparent(s) were born in Italy. If an individual’s parents—but not grandparents—resided in Italy for at least two consecutive years, they may still qualify for citizenship under the eligibility criteria.
Additionally, the Italian ancestor must have held Italian citizenship exclusively at the time of their death. This means that if your Italian parent or grandparent naturalized as a citizen of another country, you would no longer be eligible for Italian citizenship.
This law is controversial, as it retroactively regulates past nationality claims, contradicting established legal principles that laws should only govern future events. In fact, the Italian Constitutional Court has ruled in past cases that retroactive restrictions must be proportionate and reasonable.
This suggests that, in the near future, applicants may increasingly turn to the judicial route to challenge unconstitutional changes in citizenship law. For further updates and insights, follow our channels to stay informed.
Italy’s new citizenship restrictions mark a significant departure from historically inclusive policies, reflecting political shifts and administrative concerns. While proponents argue the reforms streamline citizenship processes and prevent abuses, opponents warn of loss of cultural identity, legal injustices, and strained global relations.
References
Alipour, J.-V., & Adema, J. (2025, February 18). More foreigners do not increase Germany’s crime rate. ifo Institute. Retrieved from ifo Institute.Openpolis. (2022, June 3). La strumentalizzazione del rapporto tra criminalità e migranti. Openpolis. Retrieved from Openpolis.
