If you have been following the latest news on Italian citizenship, you may be aware of the restrictions that the Italian government has passed regarding the recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis (Law Decree 36-2025).
To summarize the latest developments, for applications filed after March 27, 2025, the new rules provide that only children or grandchildren of Italian citizens who were born in Italy can apply for the recognition of Italian citizenship. Read more here.
If you have already filed your Italian citizenship paperwork by March 27, 2025 with the Comune, the Italian Consulate or the Italian Court:
- Your process is not expected to be affected by the new Law Decree. Your case is expected to be reviewed under the rules in force prior to the Law Decree 36-2025.
If you intend to apply for citizenship through your parent or grandparent born in Italy and have not filed your paperwork with the Italian authorities yet:
- The Law Decree 36-2025 does not affect your case.
- You can continue to gather the necessary documentation and can schedule the activities to file the application, whether it’s through the Consulate, the Comune or through the Court.
- We recommend speeding up the process as additional restrictions are expected.
If you intend to apply for citizenship through your great-grandparent or great-great-grandparent:
In our opinion, there is sufficient legal ground to claim, with a reasonable chance of success, that the Law Decree 36-2025 does not affect your Italian citizenship recognition entitlement. Essentially, your Italian citizenship was established at the time of your birth and the new rules do not change that. As we wait for the Italian Parliament to complete the 60 day process to convert the decree into law, here are our recommendations:
- If you are interested in applying through the Court, start or continue the process to obtain the necessary vital records, document corrections, etc.
- Do not sign any rental contracts, purchase airline tickets to Italy for your application, or apply for new apostille certificates, until the end of the 60 Parliament process.
- Continue to monitor this page for further updates.