Italian Citizenship Assistance: Major Update: How the 2025 Emergency Decree Impacts Italian Dual Citizenship by Descent Applicants

The Italian government issued an emergency decree on 28 March 2025 that modifies the rules for acquiring citizenship by descent. The decree is immediately effective, but it will cease to apply unless Parliament converts it into law within 60 days. Until then, only the provisions contained in the decree are enforceable; all other measures discussed alongside it remain proposals.

Core changes introduced by the decree

• Generational limit – Citizenship by descent can now be claimed only through a parent or a grandparent who was born in Italy. Applications that rely on a great‑grandparent or more distant ancestors are no longer accepted.
• Eligibility for persons born abroad – A person born outside Italy who holds another citizenship may claim Italian citizenship if:
  1. Their parent was born in Italy, or
  2. Their grandparent was born in Italy and the parent has resided in Italy for two consecutive years before the applicant’s birth, or
  3. The applicant themselves was born in Italy.
• Female lineage – The decree removes the pre‑1948 restriction that only men could transmit citizenship. Now a citizenship claim through a grandmother (or any female ancestor) is processed through the public administration, regardless of whether the birth occurred before or after 1948.
• Naturalisation of ancestors – The previous rule that a child’s claim could be blocked if the Italian ancestor naturalised while the child was a minor is eliminated. Applicants whose Italian ancestor naturalised during the child’s minority are no longer penalised.
• Minor children – When a parent obtains citizenship through a parent (i.e., the applicant’s grandparent), the child automatically qualifies because the parent becomes the child’s grandparent. For claims through a grandparent, the child can acquire citizenship only if the parent has lived in Italy for two consecutive years before the child’s birth, or if the child is born in Italy.

Status of the decree

• The decree is temporary: it remains in force only until Parliament either adopts it as law or lets it lapse after 60 days from 28 March 2025.
• If converted, Parliament may amend the text; if not, the decree will expire and the previous legislation (1912 and 1992 laws) will resume.

Additional proposals attached to the decree

Two separate bills were presented alongside the decree. They are not yet law and have no set parliamentary timetable.

1. Centralised processing office – Creation of a single office within the Ministry of Interior in Rome to handle all citizenship‑by‑descent applications, shifting processing away from consulates.
2. Citizenship through marriage – Restricts eligibility to spouses who reside in Italy. Applicants living abroad would no longer be able to obtain Italian citizenship solely through marriage, though they could still apply for a residency permit.
3. Facilitated acquisition for minor children – Allows a minor child of a newly naturalised citizen (through a grandparent) to obtain citizenship after the family relocates to Italy and the child resides there for two consecutive years. The application would be filed by the parent.
4. Citizenship maintenance obligations – Italian citizens living abroad would be required to demonstrate an active link to Italy (e.g., passport renewal, registration with AIRE, voting) at least once every 25 years. Failure to do so could lead to revocation of citizenship.

Practical implications for prospective applicants

• Check filing dates – Applications submitted before midnight 28 March 2025 are still governed by the pre‑decree rules. Those filed after that deadline must comply with the new generational limit.
• Document parental residence – For claims through a grandparent, be prepared to prove two consecutive years of parental residence in Italy prior to the applicant’s birth, or provide evidence of the applicant’s birth in Italy.
• Female ancestors – No additional documentation is needed to prove the date of birth relative to 1948; the claim proceeds through the standard administrative channel.
• Monitor legislative developments – Since the decree’s validity hinges on parliamentary conversion, applicants should stay informed about any amendments that could affect eligibility or procedural requirements.
• Consider the proposals – Although not yet law, the proposed central office and marriage‑residence restriction could alter where and how applications are submitted in the near future. Applicants planning to apply from abroad should be aware of potential changes to consular processing.