SURNAMES IN ITALY

Italian Citizenship Reform 2025: What’s Changing and Who’s Affected?

Italian Citizenship Reform 2025: What’s Changing and Who’s Affected?

 Surnamesinitaly.com is not a website dedicated to Italian citizenship procedures, but rather a space focused on genealogy and researching our Italian ancestors. We share certain citizenship-related topics only as part of the broader context surrounding immigration and family history. Our main goal is to help you explore your roots, rebuild your family’s story, and understand how your ancestors arrived in the Americas.

📰 What happened?

On March 28, 2025, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a decree-law introducing significant changes to the legislation on citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis). Although the reform is already in effect, it must now go through parliamentary debate within 60 days, at which point it may:

  • ✅ Be approved as is,

  • ⚖️ Be approved with amendments, or

  • ❌ Be rejected and nullified.

🔑 Key changes:

  • Two-generation limit: Only individuals with at least a parent or grandparent born in Italy will now automatically qualify for citizenship. Descendants from fourth or fifth generations will no longer be eligible under this rule.

  • Citizenship through marriage: Applicants must now reside in Italy for at least two years, in addition to passing an Italian language exam.

  • Centralized processing: Citizenship applications will no longer be handled by Italian consulates abroad, but through a centralized office in Rome.

  • Suspension of consular appointments: As a direct result, all appointments for ius sanguinis recognition have been suspended, and no new appointments are being scheduled.

💬 What does “citizenship commercialization” mean?

The Italian government claims the reform is meant to curb the “commercialization” of Italian passports, which includes:

  • Mass applications by individuals with no real or cultural connection to Italy.

  • Agencies offering “citizenship packages” as a product.

  • Citizenship sought solely for access to EU passports, with no intention to live in or connect with Italy.

⚖️ Reactions and possible legal challenges

The reform has raised concern among Italian communities abroad, particularly in countries like Argentina and Brazil. Several law firms are already preparing to challenge the decree in court, arguing that it may violate constitutional principles—especially regarding the restriction of a historically recognized right.

In the meantime, all Italian consulates worldwide have paused citizenship appointments until the parliamentary process concludes.

References

There are several English-language sources discussing the recent changes to Italy’s citizenship laws:​

  • Reuters reports that on March 28, 2025, the Italian government tightened citizenship laws, limiting the right to obtain an Italian passport to individuals with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy. This move aims to address abuses where individuals traced distant ancestors to claim citizenship and its benefits. Previously, anyone with an Italian ancestor alive after 1861 could apply. The new law seeks to reduce the overload on consulates and municipal offices, especially from applicants in South America. It’s estimated that under the old rules, 60 to 80 million people worldwide were eligible. Now, applications will be processed directly in Rome to alleviate consular workloads. ​Reuters
  • Italian Citizenship Assistance provides a detailed overview of the changes effective from March 28, 2025. The decree introduces generational limits, allowing descendants to apply for recognition of Italian citizenship if they have an Italian-born ancestor up to the second degree (i.e., a grandparent). The article also outlines the implications for pending applications and recognized citizens. ​Italian Citizenship Assistance
  • IMI Daily discusses the adoption of Decree-Law No. 36 by the Italian government on March 28, 2025, introducing urgent measures concerning Italian citizenship. This legislative intervention marks a significant shift in the longstanding ius sanguinis system—the right to citizenship by descent. ​imidaily.com
  • Studio Legale Metta provides insights into the new regulations, stating that Law Decree 36-2025, which came into force on March 29, 2025, is retroactively applicable to cases filed since March 28, 2025. The Foreign Minister emphasized that being an Italian citizen is a serious matter, and citizenship cannot be automatic for those with ancestors who emigrated centuries ago without any cultural or linguistic ties to the country. ​studiolegalemetta.com

Additionally, several Italian consulates have issued notices regarding the suspension of appointment scheduling and application receipts for iure sanguinis citizenship due to these legislative changes:​ambwashingtondc.esteri.it+2Consolato Generale d’Italia a New York+2Consolato Generale d’Italia Toronto+2

  • Italian Embassy in Washington, D.C. announced the temporary suspension of services related to citizenship by descent pending further instructions following the legislative changes approved on March 28, 2025. ​imidaily.com+2ambwashingtondc.esteri.it+2Consolato Generale d’Italia Toronto+2
  • Consulate General of Italy in New York similarly informed about the temporary suspension of appointment scheduling and application receipts for iure sanguinis citizenship starting March 28, 2025, due to the approval of the new law decree. ​Consolato Generale d’Italia a New York
  • Consulate General of Italy in Toronto also announced the suspension of the appointment calendar for citizenship by descent following the approval of Decree Law No. 36/2025 on March 28, 2025. ​Consolato Generale d’Italia Toronto

 

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