Italy's parliament has voted in favor of a law that modifies the regulations surrounding citizenship by descent, which is commonly referred to as 'jus sanguinis.' Previously, individuals with Italian ancestry dating back to 17 March 1861 could claim citizenship. The new law, passed by lawmakers, requires applicants to demonstrate that they have at least one parent or grandparent who was a citizen by birth.
The Italian government stated that the adjustments were intended to strengthen the relationship between Italy and its overseas citizens, curb instances of passport misuse, and improve operational efficiency for dealing with a backlog of citizenship applications. Since 2014, the number of Italians living abroad has surged by 40%, rising from approximately 4.6 million to 6.4 million. As of late March, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration proposed the changes, over 60,000 citizenship verification cases were pending.
The foreign ministry emphasized that these changes would streamline consular services and focus efforts on those with genuine links to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reassured that while the right to citizenship for descendants of Italians remains intact, specific limits will be enforced to deter misuse and "commercialization" of Italian citizenship. "Citizenship must be a serious matter," Tajani emphasized.
