Italy has officially enacted a significant reform to its citizenship laws, ending the eligibility of individuals to claim Italian citizenship through great-grandparents. The new legislation, introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government and approved by the Italian Senate, took effect on May 20, 2025.
The changes, which tighten the rules for acquiring citizenship by descent—known as jus sanguinis—are part of broader immigration and nationality policy reforms intended to strengthen legal and cultural ties with the Italian Republic.
Stricter Requirements Under New Law
Under the revised law, only individuals with an Italian parent or grandparent will be eligible to apply for citizenship by descent. This marks a departure from the previous framework, which allowed descendants of Italian great-grandparents to apply for recognition of citizenship, provided they could prove an unbroken bloodline and meet documentation requirements.
The decree was passed in the Italian Senate with 81 votes in favor and 37 against, signaling strong political support within the ruling coalition.
Applicants must now also meet additional conditions, including demonstrating proficiency in the Italian language—previously a requirement only for naturalization through residency or marriage.
Those who no longer qualify under the ancestry route must relocate to Italy and apply for citizenship based on long-term residency. However, this pathway has become increasingly challenging due to Italy’s tightened visa and immigration regulations for non-EU nationals.
Meloni Government’s Citizenship Policy
The Meloni administration has framed the legislative changes as necessary to preserve the integrity of Italian citizenship. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized the seriousness of the reform, stating, “Being an Italian citizen is not a joke.” The government argues that citizenship should reflect a genuine connection to the nation, not just ancestral ties.
According to the Italian Interior Ministry, an estimated 80 million people worldwide are of Italian descent. The revised law is expected to dramatically reduce the number of applications based on heritage, particularly from countries with large Italian diasporas.
Brazilian and Argentine Applicants Most Affected
Brazilian citizens are expected to be the most significantly impacted by the new law. In 2023 alone, over 61,000 individuals obtained Italian citizenship through ancestry, with Brazilians accounting for 68.5%—amounting to more than 42,000 successful applications.
Argentina also saw a sharp rise in naturalizations, with over 16,000 Argentinians acquiring Italian citizenship in 2023, marking a notable increase compared to figures from 2021.
For many in these countries, citizenship by descent has provided access to travel, education, and work opportunities across the European Union. The new policy may now limit that possibility for thousands who previously qualified under the broader ancestral criteria.
A Shift Toward Cultural and Legal Integration
The new citizenship framework reflects Italy’s push to ensure stronger cultural, linguistic, and legal integration for new citizens. While the move has been welcomed by some as a necessary modernization of outdated laws, it has also drawn criticism from diaspora communities and legal experts concerned about the exclusion of individuals with legitimate family ties to Italy.
The government has indicated that it may consider future reforms focused on attracting skilled migrants and supporting those who demonstrate strong ties to Italian culture and society through residency and contribution, rather than lineage alone.
