Italian citizenship has always been one of the most sought-after in the world, not only for its cultural and familial significance but also for the practical benefits of holding an EU passport. Through the principle of jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), descendants of Italian citizens have long been able to reclaim their heritage by applying for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent.

But in 2025, the process has undergone one of the most significant changes in decades. With the introduction of Decree-Law No. 36 (March 28, 2025), later converted into Law No. 74 (May 24, 2025), eligibility rules for citizenship by descent have narrowed, making it more important than ever to understand where you stand — and to act quickly if you qualify.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

• How citizenship by descent traditionally worked in Italy
• What has changed under the 2025 reforms

• Who still qualifies today
• The role of documents and apostilles in your application
• How Apostille-USA can help streamline your path to Italian citizenship

Italy’s nationality law is built on jus sanguinis, which allows citizenship to pass down through generations as long as the “chain of citizenship” is unbroken. That means if you can trace your lineage to an Italian-born ancestor, you may be entitled to citizenship — even if your family emigrated decades ago.

Until 2025, Italy’s law was considered one of the most generous in Europe. There were no generational limits: applicants could trace their line back to great-grandparents or even further, provided they could document each step of descent and confirm that no ancestor renounced Italian citizenship before passing it on to their child.

This framework made Italy one of the most popular countries for citizenship by descent programs, especially among Americans, Canadians, Argentinians, Brazilians, and Australians with deep Italian roots.

The game changed in 2025. Following years of debate, Italy tightened the eligibility rules to focus on applicants with a more direct, living connection to Italy. The Tajani Decree (Decree-Law No. 36/2025) — later confirmed as Law No. 74/2025 — significantly narrowed the criteria for recognition.

Here are the most important changes:

1. Narrowing Eligibility to Parents and Grandparents

Previously, there was no generational cap. Now, citizenship by descent is only automatically recognized if:

• Your parent is an Italian citizen born in Italy, OR
• Your grandparent is an Italian citizen born in Italy.

For anyone tracing lineage beyond grandparents (e.g., great-grandparents), eligibility is now restricted unless additional residency requirements are met.

2. Residency Requirement for Parents Born Abroad

If your parent was born abroad, they must have lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years before your birth for you to qualify. This must be proven with a Certificato Storico di Residenza issued by an Italian municipality.

3. Naturalization Rules Tightened

Under the 1912 law, if your ancestor naturalized in another country before the birth of their child, the citizenship chain was broken. This principle remains, but the new guidelines clarify its scope:

• If your Italian ancestor became a U.S. citizen (or naturalized elsewhere) before August 16, 1992, they automatically lost Italian citizenship — and their children living with them also lost it.

If that child was still a minor at the time (age 21 before 1975; age 18 after 1975), they could not transmit citizenship to future generations.

4. Maternal Line Restrictions (1948 Rule)

Italy’s Constitution allowed women to transmit citizenship only starting January 1, 1948. If your Italian lineage includes a woman who gave birth before that date, you may still qualify — but only through an appeal in Italian courts, not through consulates.

5. Grandfather Clause for Early Applications

Applications submitted before March 27, 2025, or appointments booked before that date, will still be processed under the “old rules” — meaning no generational limits. If you already filed before the deadline, you may still have a clear path, even if your claim is through great-grandparents or beyond.

To summarize the post-2025 rules, you may qualify if:

• Your parent is an Italian citizen born in Italy; OR
• Your grandparent is an Italian citizen born in Italy; OR
• Your parent was an Italian citizen born abroad but lived in Italy for two years before your birth; OR
• You are applying under the “old rules” because you filed or booked before March 27, 2025.

You will NOT qualify if:

• Your ancestor naturalized before the next child in line was born (breaking the chain).
• Your only qualifying ancestor is a female who gave birth before January 1, 1948 (unless you appeal in court).
• You cannot prove your ancestor’s Italian birth with official documents.

As with all citizenship-by-descent applications, documentation is key. You’ll need:

• Birth certificates for yourself, your parents, grandparents, and your Italian-born ancestor.
• Marriage certificates to connect each generation.
• Naturalization records or certified proof that your ancestor never naturalized.
• Death certificates (if relevant to prove lineage).

Your ancestor’s Italian birth certificate (estratto dell’atto di nascita) issued by their municipality in Italy.

If your documents were issued outside Italy (for example, in the U.S.), they must be:

1. Apostilled (to verify their authenticity internationally).
2. Translated into Italian by a certified translator.

This step is often where applicants encounter delays — and it’s where Apostille-USA can step in to streamline the process.

👉 Order Your Apostille for Italian Citizenship Here

Even with the new restrictions, Italian citizenship remains one of the most valuable second citizenships in the world. With it, you gain:

• The right to live, work, study, and retire anywhere in the EU.
• Access to university education at EU tuition rates (or free in some countries).
• Affordable healthcare across Europe.
• The ability to pass citizenship to your children and future generations.

A stronger connection to your Italian heritage, culture, and identity.

At Apostille-USA, we specialize in the document side of the process — one of the most important steps. Our team ensures that your documents are:

• Correctly certified and apostilled.
• Accepted by the Italian consulates or municipalities.
• Delivered quickly so you can move forward without delays.

We work with clients applying across multiple consulates in the U.S. and abroad. Whether you’re applying under the new 2025 rules or filing under the old grandfathered system, having properly prepared documents is critical.

👉 Order Your Apostille for Italian Citizenship Here

The 2025 Italian citizenship reforms mark a turning point in one of the world’s most popular citizenship-by-descent programs. While eligibility has narrowed, millions still qualify — especially those with parents or grandparents born in Italy.

If you’ve been thinking about applying, now is the time to get organized. The sooner you begin gathering documents and securing apostilles, the smoother your process will be.

Italian citizenship is more than just a passport — it’s a legacy, a connection to your heritage, and a gateway to opportunities across Europe.

👉 Order Your Apostille for Italian Citizenship Here