Italy has tightened its citizenship‑by‑descent rules, ending the long‑standing practice that allowed applicants to claim Italian nationality through ancestors several generations back.
New eligibility criteria (effective 28 March 2025)
- Direct lineage required – Only a parent or a grandparent must have been born in Italy. Claims based on great‑grandparents or more distant ancestors are no longer accepted.
- Recent official recognition – The applicant must have been formally recognized as an Italian citizen by an embassy, consulate, or have already obtained an Italian passport before 27 March 2025.
- Birth in Italy – If the applicant’s parents were foreign‑born but resided in Italy at the time of the child’s birth, the child may also qualify.
All Italian embassies and consulates worldwide have been instructed to halt new applications, stop scheduling appointments, and review pending cases against the new rules.
Reason for the change
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited widespread abuse of the program, particularly from South America, where large numbers of applicants submitted falsified documents. The government aims to curb “tens of millions” of potential new citizens who have little recent connection to Italy.
Immediate impact
- Pending applications – Applicants who were in the process of obtaining citizenship but had not yet received official recognition before the cutoff may see their cases rejected or delayed indefinitely.
- No grace period – Unlike golden‑visa schemes that provide advance notice before closure, the Italian change was announced only days before implementation, leaving many applicants without time to adjust.
Potential ripple effects
Officials warned that other European states could adopt similar restrictions. Possible candidates include:
- Germany – May tighten its naturalization pathways.
- Lithuania and other ex‑Soviet EU members – Could limit descent‑based citizenship to those with at least one grandparent born in the country or proven prior citizenship.
Alternative routes to EU citizenship
If Italian descent citizenship is no longer viable, several other programs remain:
| Country | Main pathway | Approx. time to citizenship | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Golden Visa (investment) | 5 years | Real estate or capital transfer; residence requirement |
| Malta | Citizenship by contribution | 1.5 years | Donation of €1 million+ plus residency |
| Slovakia | Business‑based citizenship | Varies | Significant investment and job creation |
| Germany | Expedited naturalization | Several years | Long‑term residence, language proficiency |
| Romania | Citizenship by descent | Currently delayed | Proof of ancestry; recent crackdown on fraud |
Italy’s residency‑by‑investment option
Italy offers a “golden visa” that grants residency, not immediate citizenship. Requirements include:
- Investment of €500,000 in an Italian company, or
- Purchase of €2 million in Italian government bonds.
Applicants must actually reside in Italy, and naturalization can take 10 years or more.
Practical considerations
- Act quickly – For any descent‑based program, secure official recognition before the legal deadline.
- Document verification – Ensure all birth, marriage, and citizenship records are authentic and traceable to a parent or grandparent.
- Assess alternatives – If Italian citizenship is no longer attainable, evaluate residency‑by‑investment or other EU programs that match your timeline and budget.
- Monitor legislative updates – Changes can occur with little notice; staying informed reduces the risk of stalled applications.
