The Italian Parliament has ratified a new law tightening the requirements for individuals seeking citizenship through Italian ancestry, significantly altering the country’s long-standing ‘jus sanguinis’ (right of blood) policy.
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Previously, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861—the date the Kingdom of Italy was officially formed—could apply for citizenship. However, under the new law passed on Tuesday, applicants must now prove that at least one parent or grandparent was an Italian citizen by birth to be eligible for a passport.
The Italian government said the reform aims to “strengthen the genuine connection” between Italy and its citizens abroad, curb abuse and prevent the commercialisation of Italian passports. It also aims to free up consular resources and reduce the backlog of applications, which has ballooned over the years.
“Citizenship must be a serious thing,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. “We are not abolishing the right of descent, but we are setting precise limits to avoid abuse or phenomena of commercialization.”
According to government data, the number of Italian citizens living abroad rose by 40% over the past decade, increasing from 4.6 million in 2014 to 6.4 million in 2024. As of March 2025, when the Meloni-led government introduced the amendment, there were over 60,000 pending legal cases relating to citizenship verification.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the legislative change will allow consular services to be “dedicated exclusively to those who have a real need, by virtue of their concrete connection with Italy.”
While the principle of granting citizenship through ancestry remains in place, the new rules signal a stricter, more targeted approach, likely affecting thousands of applicants—particularly those from countries with large Italian diaspora populations, including the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.
Critics have expressed concern that the law may disenfranchise legitimate descendants, while supporters argue it is a necessary measure to safeguard the integrity of Italian nationality.
The law takes effect immediately, and all pending applications will be subject to the new criteria.
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