Italy has officially revised its citizenship regulations, making it more challenging for individuals with Italian ancestry to secure passports. Previously, any descendant of an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861—the year the Kingdom of Italy was founded—was eligible for citizenship under the 'jus sanguinis' principle. However, a new law ratified by the Italian parliament on Tuesday now stipulates that applicants must directly have a parent or grandparent who was a citizen by birth.
This legislative change is being framed by the government as a way to "enhance" ties between Italy and its citizens abroad while also addressing concerns about passport 'abuse' and 'commercialization'. A surge in the number of Italians living overseas—from approximately 4.6 million in late 2014 to an estimated 6.4 million by the end of 2024—played a role in the law's introduction. As of March, there were over 60,000 pending applications for citizenship verification.
The Italian foreign ministry stated that these alterations will enable more efficient consular services by focusing on individuals with genuine connections to Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that while the principles of citizenship will remain intact for descendants of Italians, there will be clear restrictions to mitigate abuse, stating, "Citizenship must be a serious thing."
