The Italian government has officially implemented significant reforms to its citizenship laws, particularly concerning the principle of ius sanguinis, which allows citizenship based on descent. The new regulations, which came into effect at midnight on March 29, 2025, limit automatic citizenship to descendants up to the second generation. This means that only individuals with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy can claim citizenship by birth, a move aimed at curbing abuses and strengthening the connection between Italy and its citizens abroad.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, who championed the reform, emphasized the necessity of these changes during a press conference. "Being an Italian citizen is a serious matter," he stated. "The granting of citizenship cannot be an automatism for those who have an ancestor who emigrated centuries ago, without any cultural or linguistic link with the country." The reform aims to eliminate the so-called 'easy citizenship' cases that have proliferated in recent years, particularly from South America, where many individuals exploited the previous laws allowing claims based on ancestry as far back as 1861.
Under the new rules, Italian descendants born abroad will only be granted citizenship automatically for two generations. Those who have at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy will still be eligible for citizenship from birth. However, applications based on great-grandparents or more distant ancestors will no longer be accepted. Tajani noted that this change is crucial for reinforcing the genuine ties between those seeking citizenship and Italy itself.
The reform is structured in two phases. The first phase, which has already taken effect, includes immediate limitations on citizenship claims based on descent. The second phase will introduce additional legislative measures aimed at further refining the citizenship process. For example, it will require that citizens born and residing abroad maintain a real and ongoing connection to Italy, exercising their rights and responsibilities as citizens at least once every twenty-five years.
Applications for citizenship will no longer be processed through Italian consulates, which have been overwhelmed by requests. Instead, a new centralized office at the Farnesina will handle these applications. This shift aims to streamline the process and reduce the administrative burden on consulates, allowing them to focus on serving already recognized citizens. The fee for initiating a citizenship application will also increase significantly, from 300 euros to 600 euros in 2026, with a potential rise to 700 euros in the future.
In recent years, the number of Italian citizens living abroad has surged, growing from 4.6 million in 2014 to 6.4 million by the end of 2024. This increase has led to a corresponding rise in citizenship applications, particularly from countries with large Italian diasporas, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. For instance, the number of citizenship recognitions in Argentina rose from approximately 20,000 in 2023 to over 30,000 in 2024. Tajani pointed out that there are currently over 60,000 pending judicial proceedings related to citizenship verification, highlighting the need for reform.
The government’s decision to tighten citizenship rules is also motivated by a desire to prevent fraud and the exploitation of citizenship for purposes unrelated to genuine ties to Italy. Tajani remarked, “We cannot incentivize fraud or fake citizenship,” referring to the phenomenon where agencies offered "easy citizenship" for a fee, sometimes as high as 3,000 euros. The new regulations are designed to put an end to such practices.
While the reforms are stringent, they do not retroactively affect those who have already been granted citizenship. Tajani confirmed, "Obviously, we are not taking away passports from those who have obtained them honestly, but there will be no amnesties." The aim is to ensure that citizenship is reserved for those who maintain a legitimate connection to Italy and are genuinely interested in the country.
In addition to the citizenship reforms, the Council of Ministers also approved other significant legislative measures, including changes to the admission tests for medical courses in Italy. The government announced the abolition of the entrance test for medical school, allowing for a semester of free access and a gradual increase in available spots. This change aims to make medical education more accessible while ensuring quality standards are met.
The reforms reflect a broader strategy by the Italian government to modernize its citizenship laws and immigration policies. The ius sanguinis reform is part of a larger project called “Ius Italiae,” which seeks to create a more coherent and responsible framework for citizenship that aligns with contemporary societal needs and expectations. By tightening the criteria for citizenship, the government hopes to foster a sense of belonging and responsibility among new citizens, while also addressing the practical challenges posed by administrative backlogs and fraudulent applications.
As Italy moves forward with these reforms, the focus remains on creating a citizenship system that is fair, efficient, and reflective of the values that underpin Italian identity. The changes are expected to resonate not only within Italy but also among the millions of Italians living abroad, who have long sought to reconnect with their heritage and homeland.
