How to Apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent: All the Latest Updates

Italian citizenship is primarily governed by Law No. 91 of 1992, which outlines how citizenship can be acquired, transmitted, or lost. One key pathway is citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), which allows individuals with Italian ancestry to claim citizenship.

Before the 2025 reform, the rules for jure sanguinis were relatively inclusive. Citizenship could be passed down indefinitely through either the paternal or maternal line. The naturalization of an ancestor in a foreign country did not prevent the transmission of citizenship, as long as it occurred after the birth of their child.

However, jure sanguinis citizenship was not automatic—it required a formal application, either at an Italian consulate abroad, a municipality in Italy, or through the courts, supported by documentation proving the family lineage and continuity of Italian citizenship.

With the entry into force of Law No. 74/2025, however, applicants are now required to meet stricter eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for Italian citizenship by descent, you must meet the following conditions (art. 3bis L. 91/1992):

  • You must have an Italian parent or grandparent who never naturalized as a foreign citizen. According to the circular no. 26185/2025 written by the Ministry of the Interior, this condition has to be manteined until the birth of the applicant.

OR

  • You must have a parent who has lived in Italy, as an Italian, for at least two consecutive years before your birth. In this case it doesn’t matter if the parent also has another citizenship. 

The highly restrictive approach adopted by the new legislation has aspects that are in conflict with the Italian Constitution and with European law. For these reasons, many lawyers and legal scholars believe that it is possible to proceed through the court even for those who do not meet the requirements of Article 3-bis, by raising issues of constitutional legitimacy based on the following arguments:

  • Violation of the Principle of Equality (Article 3 of the Constitution): The arbitrary distinction based on generations constitutes a form of discrimination. There is no valid legal basis for excluding third-generation or later descendants from citizenship recognition.
  • Violation of the Right to Citizenship as a Fundamental Status (Article 22 of the Constitution): Citizenship is a fundamental legal status. Arbitrary limitations on this right may represent undue interference by the State in a constitutionally protected personal right.
  • Violation of Family and Descent Principles (Article 29 of the Constitution): The Italian Constitution protects the natural rights of the family, including the right to maintain legal and familial identity across generations.
  • Violation of the Principle of Non-Retroactivity and Legitimate Expectations (Article 11 of the Preliminary Provisions and Article 25 of the Constitution): Applying the new law retroactively to those who had not initiated the citizenship process before March 27, 2025, undermines legal certainty and legitimate expectations. Denying citizenship to individuals born before that date—who would have been considered Italian under the previous law simply by being born to Italian descendants—represents a clear violation of these principles.

Required Documentation

The application process requires gathering several vital records to prove your eligibility. These typically include:

  • Birth Certificates: Both yours and your ancestor’s.
  • Marriage Certificates: Both yours and your ancestor’s. These documents help confirm family relationships.
  • Naturalization Records: Proof that your Italian ancestor (parent or grandparent) never naturalized, or if they did, that it occurred after the applicant’s birth.
  • Historical Certificate of Residency: Proof that the parent resided in Italy for at least two years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the applicant’s birth.


All non-Italian documents must be apostilled and translated into Italian by a certified translator. Please note that an apostille is an international certification that confirms the authenticity of a foreign document.


The Application Process

  1. Gather Documentation: Collect all necessary records from both Italy and the countries where your ancestors lived. Please review the list mentioned in the 'Required Documentation' paragraph.
  2. Submit Your Application: Applications can be submitted at:
  3. The Italian consulate in your country of residence.
  4. The local municipality (comune) in Italy, if you reside in Italy.
  5. At Italian Court.
  6. Pay Required Fees: Italian consulates and municipalities may charge administrative fees for processing your application.
  7. Wait for Processing: Depending on where you apply, processing times can range from several months to a few years. Consulates generally have longer wait times compared to applications processed in Italy.

How AcrossBoundaries Can Support You

Navigating the legal landscape created by the new law on Italian citizenship can be difficult. That's where AcrossBoundaries comes in. We are a team of dual citizenship lawyers working directly with the Italian Court, which allows our customers to avoid delays at consulates and obtain Italian citizenship within one year.

Our services include:

  • Personalized Service: We tailor our services to your specific needs, ensuring a smooth and effortless process.
  • Seamless Online Process: Benefit from our fully digital services, ensuring all documentation is managed online for a streamlined and hassle-free experience.
  • Efficient Scheduling: We optimize your application timeline to ensure a smooth and timely process.
  • Full Ownership of Your Application Process: We provide comprehensive support, handling every aspect of your application from start to finish.
  • Collaboration with the Italian Court: If needed, we involve the Italian Court at no additional cost to ensure the successful acquisition of Italian citizenship.
  • Meticulous Documentation: We prepare and submit all required documents, ensuring they meet the strict requirements.

Conclusion

Reconnecting with your Italian roots through citizenship is a meaningful and rewarding process. While Law No. 74/2025 has made eligibility more restrictive, many still qualify—especially through recent generations. If you believe you're eligible, now is the time to act. With AcrossBoundaries guiding your journey, the path to Italian and EU citizenship is within reach.

Contact Us

Obtaining Italian citizenship is a complex process that can require a significant time investment, and mistakes or incomplete paperwork could jeopardize your application. If you have any doubts or questions about the Italian citizenship by descent application, BOOK A 100% FREE CONSULTATION TODAY.

We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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Email: info@acrossboundaries.org

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