Changes to Italian Citizenship Eligibility
For many years, individuals of Italian descent have had the opportunity to trace their genealogies, uncover an Italian ancestor, and apply for citizenship in Italy. This process has granted them access to a powerful passport, allowing for visa-free travel to numerous countries—a privilege that is highly sought after by travelers worldwide.
However, the surge in applications has led to significant congestion within Italy’s judicial, consular, and municipal systems, causing delays and hindrances to other essential governmental functions. In response to this growing issue, the Italian government has decided to implement stricter regulations regarding citizenship eligibility.
Recently announced and effective immediately, the decree now limits citizenship applications to individuals with direct lineage, specifically those who can demonstrate that they have Italian parents or grandparents. This change eliminates a previously existing provision that permitted anyone to apply for citizenship if they could prove that they had an Italian ancestor who was alive after the nation’s unification in 1861.
Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, emphasized that these new, more stringent regulations were introduced in light of “years of abuses” by applicants who often lacked meaningful connections to Italy and were primarily motivated by the desire for an Italian passport. He noted a significant increase in the number of South Americans receiving Italian citizenship, suggesting that many of these new citizens were primarily interested in the ability to travel freely around Europe or to the United States.
“Being an Italian citizen is a serious responsibility,” Mr. Tajani stated during a news conference. “It’s not merely a game to acquire a passport for leisure activities, such as shopping in Miami.”
