Italy changes citizenship by descent rules: These 2 categories of descendants can still qualify

Italy has tightened the rules for people seeking citizenship through Italian ancestry, limiting eligibility for many foreign-born applicants with another nationality.

The changes, which took effect from March 28, 2025, have particular significance for people who have traditionally looked to a parent or grandparent to establish a claim to Italian citizenship.

Under the updated rules, foreign-born people who already hold another citizenship can qualify for recognition of Italian citizenship by descent in two main circumstances.

The first concerns descendants of an Italian citizen who held exclusively Italian citizenship, while the second applies where a parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after becoming an Italian citizen and before the applicant’s birth or adoption.

The changes mean that having an Italian grandparent is no longer, by itself, enough for many new applicants.

Italy’s two categories for citizenship by descent

The Italian consular authorities have set out two routes under the rules introduced in 2025.

1. Descendants of an exclusively Italian parent or grandparent

The first category covers people who are first- or second-degree descendants of an Italian citizen who holds, or held at the time of death, exclusively Italian citizenship.

The relevant Italian citizenship must have existed when the applicant was born.

This means the qualifying ancestor can be a parent or grandparent, but the citizenship status of the person in the direct line remains important.

Italian authorities specifically warn that the existence of an exclusively Italian grandparent is not enough on its own.

The citizenship transmission through the first-degree ancestor — the applicant’s father or mother — must also be verified as intact.

This is a significant point for people who have built their eligibility around an Italian-born grandparent.

A family tree showing an Italian grandparent does not automatically establish eligibility under the new rules.

2. Applicants with an Italian parent who lived in Italy for two years

The second route applies when a parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the applicant’s birth or adoption.

Applicants using this route must provide evidence of the required period of residence.

The Italian authorities say this includes a historical residence certificate issued by the relevant Italian municipality, along with a historical citizenship certificate from the same municipality.

This route therefore focuses not simply on ancestry but also on the Italian parent’s period of residence before the applicant was born or adopted.

Why the grandparent rule matters

For years, Italian citizenship by descent has attracted people around the world who can trace their ancestry to Italy.

The new framework changes the calculation for some prospective applicants.

Someone who discovers that a grandparent was exclusively Italian may initially assume that the family connection is enough to make a claim.

The updated rules require applicants to examine the intervening generation as well.

Italian consular guidance explicitly says applicants cannot simply bypass their parent and rely on a grandparent without checking whether the citizenship transmission remained intact.

That makes historical records particularly important.

Applicants may need documents establishing the citizenship status of parents and grandparents, alongside birth, marriage, death and other civil records relevant to the transmission chain.

What changed on March 28, 2025?

The changes stem from Decree-Law No. 36/2025, which was approved on March 28, 2025 and subsequently converted into law with amendments.

Italian diplomatic authorities announced the changes at the time and temporarily suspended some citizenship-by-descent appointment arrangements while the new framework was implemented.

The new rules apply to foreign-born applicants who possess another citizenship and are seeking recognition through descent under the updated framework.

People whose applications were submitted before the relevant cutoff dates may be subject to the previous rules, depending on the circumstances of their application. Italian diplomatic guidance maintains separate information for cases lodged by March 27, 2025.

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Can someone still claim Italian citizenship through a grandparent?

Yes, but the claim is subject to the new conditions.

A grandparent can still be relevant because the updated rules expressly include second-degree descendants of an Italian citizen.

However, the grandparent’s citizenship status is only part of the assessment.

The applicant must also establish that the transmission of citizenship through the first-degree ancestor was not interrupted.

This is why people researching Italian ancestry should not stop after locating an Italian-born grandparent.

They need to establish the complete line between the Italian ancestor and themselves and verify the citizenship circumstances of the people in that chain.

What documents may applicants need?

Documentation requirements vary according to the applicant’s circumstances and the consulate handling the case.

Italian consular guidance lists documents that can include identity records and evidence establishing the exclusively Italian citizenship of the relevant parent or grandparent.

For applications involving a second-degree ancestor, the consulate may require evidence such as citizenship certificates, non-renunciation certificates or a valid Italian passport belonging to the grandparent.

Applicants should also expect civil-status records to play an important role in proving the family relationship.

Errors, inconsistencies or missing records can create additional complications during the recognition process.

Italy’s citizenship processing times have also changed

The citizenship rules are not the only issue applicants need to consider.

The Italian Consulate General in Toronto currently states that applications for recognition of citizenship by descent submitted from 2026 have a 36-month processing period, following an amendment to the relevant legislation.

The actual process can also depend on where an applicant lives and which Italian authority has jurisdiction over the application.

People should therefore check the current instructions from the Italian consulate or embassy responsible for their place of residence before booking an appointment or preparing a submission.

What the new rules mean for people with Italian ancestry

Italy has not completely closed the door on citizenship by descent.

Instead, the eligibility framework for new foreign-born applicants with another nationality has become narrower.

The two main routes now focus on descendants of qualifying exclusively Italian citizens and applicants whose Italian parent or adoptive parent satisfied the required two-year residence condition in Italy before the applicant’s birth or adoption.

For people tracing their ancestry through a grandparent, the biggest issue may be the generation in between.

The Italian consular authorities make clear that a qualifying grandparent alone does not settle the question. The direct parent-to-child transmission must also be established.

That makes document research an important part of any potential application.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Italian citizenship through my grandparent?

You may still qualify if you are a second-degree descendant of an Italian citizen who meets the applicable citizenship requirements. However, Italian authorities say having an exclusively Italian grandparent alone is not sufficient; the citizenship transmission through the first-degree ancestor must also be verified.

How many generations back can I claim Italian citizenship?

Under the rules applying to new applications from March 28, 2025, the relevant ancestry is limited to first- and second-degree descendants — meaning parents and grandparents. Italian consular guidance explicitly states that applicants cannot go beyond their grandparents under the new requirements.

Can I apply if my Italian ancestor had another citizenship?

The first eligibility category specifically concerns Italian citizens who held exclusively Italian citizenship, subject to the conditions set out by Italian authorities. Applicants should establish the ancestor’s citizenship status at the relevant time rather than relying solely on family records.

What if my Italian parent lived in Italy?

A separate eligibility route may apply if a parent or adoptive parent lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the applicant’s birth or adoption. Historical residence and citizenship certificates may be required.

Can I skip my parent and apply through my Italian grandparent?

No. Italian consular guidance specifically warns that applicants cannot simply bypass the first-degree ancestor. The transmission of Italian citizenship through the parent must be checked.

When did Italy change its citizenship-by-descent rules?

The new framework began on March 28, 2025, following the adoption of Decree-Law No. 36/2025. Subsequent legislation converted the decree into law with amendments.

Does dual citizenship affect eligibility?

The updated rules specifically address foreign-born people who already hold another nationality. Eligibility depends on the conditions established under the new citizenship-by-descent framework, including the citizenship status of the relevant Italian ancestor.

How long does Italian citizenship by descent take?

The current Italian consular guidance says the processing period for applications submitted from 2026 has been extended to 36 months under the amended legislation, although procedures and practical timelines can vary by jurisdiction.