In a significant legislative shift, Italy has enacted a new law that redefines the framework for claiming Italian citizenship by descent. Effective May 24, 2025, the new rules introduce “genuine link” limitations—marking a departure from the previously liberal jus sanguinis (right of blood) model that allowed even distant descendants to acquire citizenship.
The reform, passed under Law No. 74/2025, has important consequences for investors, global mobility advisors, and citizenship planners, especially those assisting clients with ancestral ties to Italy.
The Core Change: Citizenship No Longer Guaranteed by Bloodline Alone
Until now, Italy stood out among EU countries for granting citizenship to individuals with Italian ancestry—regardless of how many generations removed. Many applicants, particularly from Latin America and the United States, qualified through great-grandparents or even more distant relatives.
That path has now narrowed.
Under the new legislation, automatic citizenship by descent is now limited to applicants with
● At least one parent or grandparent born in Italy, and
● A demonstrated genuine link to Italy.
This effectively ends citizenship claims through great-grandparents or more distant ancestors unless specific new criteria are met.
What Counts as a “Genuine Link”?
To qualify under the new rules, an applicant must demonstrate a meaningful connection to Italy.
According to Article 1 of the reform, this can include:
1. Direct lineage from a parent or grandparent who:
○ Was an Italian citizen, and
○ Did not hold any other citizenship at the time.
2. Parental or adoptive ties where the parent:
○ Lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring citizenship,
○ And this occurred before the applicant’s birth or adoption.
In short, Italian heritage alone is no longer sufficient—candidates must show continuity of identity or cultural/legal connection to Italy.
Transitional Relief: What About Pending or Scheduled Applications?
The law does provide transitional provisions for those already in process:
● Applications submitted by March 27, 2025, and supported by complete documentation, will be reviewed under the previous rules.
● Applicants who had confirmed consular appointments before that date will still be allowed to apply under the old regime, even if their appointment is scheduled for a later date.
This grandfathering clause creates a narrow window of opportunity for individuals already pursuing citizenship via descent.
Special Provision for Minors
To soften the impact on families, the law allows Italian parents to request citizenship on behalf of their children under 18 years old (as of May 24, 2025). This must be done by May 31, 2026.
For newborns, citizenship applications must be filed within the first year of life by a parent or legal guardian.
What Prompted the Reform?
Italian officials have cited two primary reasons:
● Administrative Overload: Italian consulates—particularly in Latin America—have been overwhelmed by high volumes of citizenship requests, creating backlogs that stretch years.
● National Security & Integration: Authorities also expressed concern that citizenship was being granted to individuals with no tangible link to Italian culture, language, or society.
By enforcing genuine links, the Italian government aims to better regulate access to EU citizenship and reduce misuse of ancestry-based claims.
Global Implications: A Shift in European Citizenship Trends
Italy’s reform reflects a broader pattern across Europe where countries are moving to limit automatic nationality transmission and impose qualitative requirements. For example:
● Ireland is also reviewing its jus sanguinis laws.
● Germany recently introduced integration-based citizenship rules.
● Portugal has limited language exemptions for Sephardic descendants.
These changes are a wake-up call for families and investors who assumed that ancestry-based EU citizenship would remain indefinitely accessible.
What This Means for Investors and Advisors
For investors and legal professionals working in the space of citizenship planning, this reform brings key takeaways:
● Review Client Eligibility Immediately: Anyone planning to claim Italian citizenship through a great-grandparent must reassess their timeline and documentation now.
● Act Quickly on Transitional Applications: The grace period for prior applications is narrow. Existing clients should be advised to expedite their documentation or risk losing eligibility.
● Reevaluate Mobility Strategies: Clients interested in EU access may need to explore investment migration routes (like the Portugal D7 or Greece Golden Visa), especially if they no longer qualify through ancestry.
The Era of “Automatic” EU Citizenship Is Fading
Italy’s move is not isolated—it’s part of a broader European realignment. Citizenship is increasingly being treated not just as a right, but a privilege tied to identity, presence, and contribution.
For global citizens, the message is clear: the time to act is before the rules change, not after.
