The government of Italy has enacted a new law that removes the eligibility for Italian citizenship through great-grandparents, affecting many who had already started the application process.
The law limits citizenship claims by descent to only those whose parents or grandparents were Italian.
According to a report by CNN, the change took effect on Tuesday, following its introduction by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration in March. The law alters the application of jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline), a principle used by many countries to grant citizenship to descendants of nationals.
Italy’s Interior Ministry estimates that around 80 million people globally have Italian ancestry, many of whom had been pursuing citizenship based on documentation from their great-grandparents.
New Limitations on Citizenship by Descent
Under the revised policy, applicants can only qualify for citizenship by descent if they have an Italian parent or grandparent. Individuals tracing their lineage to Italian great-grandparents will no longer be eligible under this category. Instead, their only remaining path to Italian citizenship is through residency, a process which has grown more restrictive due to tightened visa policies under the current government.
Applicants who had already invested in document collection, translation, and legal verification are no longer eligible.
Stricter Path Through Residency
For those now redirected to apply through residency, the legal requirements remain demanding. Non-European Union citizens must currently live in Italy for ten years before becoming eligible. A referendum scheduled for June 8th–9th may lower this requirement to five years, but forecasts suggest the proposal is unlikely to succeed.
According to reports, if the referendum fails, another could be introduced later, potentially increasing the residency requirement to 12 years. Applicants must provide consistent proof of taxable income throughout their stay and meet income thresholds: at least 8,263.31 euros annually for individuals without children, and 11,362.05 euros plus 516 euros per child for those with dependents.
Additional conditions include passing an Italian language proficiency exam and providing a clean criminal record from every country in which they have lived.
Impact on Immigration Services and the Economy
Samantha Wilson, who leads Smart Move Italy, a consulting firm assisting immigration applicants, spoke to CNN about the broader consequences of the law.
“It is actually worse than we expected,” she said. “For many of our clients, this change has shattered their immediate plans of moving to Italy, as well as their long-term aspirations.”
Wilson highlighted that applicants were not only pursuing a cultural connection but were also prepared to invest in the Italian economy through property purchases and business ventures. She pointed out that Italy faces population decline, and the new law may reduce the number of newcomers who could have helped counterbalance demographic challenges.
Legal Recourse and Alternative Visa Options
Wilson advises affected individuals to consider Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa or other legal immigration pathways that may shorten the residency period. She also noted the possibility of legal challenges to the law, though these would require a judge to bring the case before Italy’s constitutional court.
“This process will likely take over a year and comes with significant legal costs,” she said. “If clients have already paid for the citizenship process, we suggest they continue moving forward and defend their rights.”
While hopes remain for a future judicial review, Wilson acknowledged the process will be lengthy and uncertain.
