On March 28, 2025, the Italian government issued an emergency decree (Law 36) that dramatically limited eligibility for citizenship by descent (CBD). Under the new rules:
• Only individuals with an Italian-born parent or grandparent are eligible.
• Applicants must demonstrate a closer connection to Italy (e.g. residence, registration).
• Great-grandchildren or more distant descendants are no longer eligible.

You may still qualify for Italian citizenship by descent if:
• Your parent or grandparent was born in Italy, and
• Your Italian ancestor did not renounce citizenship before the next generation’s birth, and
• You can present complete, official documentation (sworn affidavits are no longer accepted).

Yes. If your application was officially filed with a municipality, consulate, or Italian court before midnight on March 28, your case will be processed under the old rules.

The decree does not affect existing applications filed before the deadline. However, it blocks all future applications from more distant descendants—even if they were previously eligible.
Legal experts argue the retroactive impact on already-born descendants may violate Italy’s Constitution and European human rights laws. Constitutional challenges are expected.

The decree is:
• Immediately enforceable, but
• Provisional until Parliament ratifies it within 60 days (by May 27, 2025).

Parliament may:
• Approve it as-is
• Modify it
• Let it expire (unlikely)

Two additional bills were introduced alongside the decree. These are not yet law, but propose the following:
Centralized Processing
All citizenship-by-descent applications would be submitted to a single office in Rome, replacing local consulates.
Stricter Citizenship by Marriage Rules
Only spouses residing in Italy would be eligible. Overseas spouses would no longer qualify.
25-Year Citizenship Activity Requirement
Italian citizens abroad must:
• Vote in Italian elections, or
• Renew their passport, or
• Register with AIRE
at least once every 25 years, or risk revocation of citizenship.
Citizenship for Minor Children (Outside Two Generations)
Children may qualify after living in Italy for 2 years with a newly recognized parent.

It depends:
Yes, if you apply through an Italian-born parent, your minor child qualifies automatically.
Maybe, if applying through a grandparent:
• Your child qualifies only if:
• They were born in Italy, or
• You lived in Italy for 2 years prior to their birth.
Otherwise, your child must relocate to Italy and live there for 2 years with you before becoming eligible (if the proposal passes).

If you missed the deadline and your qualifying ancestor is a great-grandparent or beyond, you are not eligible under the new decree. However: • You can gather documents now in case the decree is overturned.
• You may qualify in the future through residency-based paths.
• Stay updated — legal and political challenges are already underway.

Yes. The decree abolishes the need for court petitions in female-line cases. You can now apply administratively through a grandmother or mother born before 1948, just like male-line applicants.

Under the new decree, this no longer disqualifies you.The provision that previously blocked applications in these cases has been repealed. This may restore eligibility for many applicants.

If you do not meet the new two-generation rule, you are currently ineligible.If you do qualify under the new rules:
• Start your application immediately.
•️ Additional restrictions may be implemented soon if the proposed bills pass.

Yes — but many are following Italy’s path and tightening eligibility.
‍Still open (but possibly under review):
• Croatia
• Ireland
• Poland
• Hungary
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Spain
‍
‍Act quickly. Programs in Eastern Europe and South America may also face restrictions soon.

Date: March 28, 2025
Event: Emergency Decree enacted

Date: May 27, 2025
Event: Parliament must ratify or let it expire

Date: TBD
Event: Parliament may vote on additional proposals (no deadline set)

No. If you’ve already been recognized, your citizenship remains valid.
However, it’s more important than ever to:
• Register your minor children before they turn 18
• Keep your AIRE registration up to date
• Renew your passport periodically

Key proposed changes include:
• Citizenship revocation after 25 years of inactivity abroad
• Marriage-based citizenship limited to spouses living in Italy
• Citizenship through mothers for those born after Jan 1, 1927
• Grandchildren may qualify after 3 years of residence in Italy
• Application fee increase: €700
These proposals are still under debate and may change.

Yes — potentially.
‍The decree must be ratified by Parliament. If it is not, it automatically lapses.Even if passed, constitutional court challenges are highly likely, especially over retroactive restrictions and human rights violations.

The government has cited:
• “Citizenship shopping” abuse
• Overwhelmed consulates and courts (60,000+ pending cases)
• Applicants with no real ties to Italy
• Pressure from EU partners to maintain integrity and security
• Massive surges in applications from South America and the U.S.

• €600 (effective January 1, 2025)
• €700 if the pending draft bill passes