What You Need to Know About Jure Sanguinis
The Italian government has enacted new rules that change how citizenship is granted through ancestry. This Italian citizenship by descent law change narrows the path to citizenship for descendants born outside of Italy. While the legal principle of jure sanguinis remains intact, the 2025 reform introduces a generational limit and stricter requirements for maintaining Italian citizenship.
Why the reform happened
On March 28, 2025, the Italian Council of Ministers passed an emergency decree limiting automatic citizenship by descent to those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy. Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani stated that the goal is to stop abuses and ensure that applicants have a real connection to Italy.
Tajani explained that the surge in applications has overwhelmed both Italian municipalities and consulates abroad. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of Italian citizens residing outside the country grew by 40 percent. Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela saw especially sharp increases. In Argentina alone, citizenship recognitions jumped from 20,000 in 2023 to 30,000 the following year.
Key changes under the decree
The most immediate change is a two-generation limit. Only individuals with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy will now automatically qualify for citizenship under jure sanguinis.
Applications submitted before March 27, 2025, at midnight will still be processed under the previous rules. However, all new applications must follow the updated law. Those who already hold Italian citizenship are not affected, as long as it was obtained legally.
More reforms are expected through two new draft laws. These proposals include:
- Proof of ongoing ties to Italy, such as renewing a passport, voting, or updating vital records at least once every 25 years
- Registration of birth before the age of 25 for applicants born abroad
- A new centralized office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to process all citizenship applications
- A possible fee increase from €300 to €700
Community reactions and media response
YouTuber Rafael di Furia, known for his channel Not Your Average Globetrotter, offered his take in a recent video. A former resident of Italy and citizen by descent, Rafael expressed concern about the restrictive nature of the changes. However, he also acknowledged the challenges faced by Italian authorities.
“I don’t fully disagree with the reasons behind it… but I don’t agree with the execution,” he said in the video, which you can watch below.
In a previous Live in Italy Magazine interview, Rafael discussed his experience applying for citizenship and moving to Italy.
His recent op-ed highlights several key points:
- The sudden nature of the emergency decree
- The generational cutoff may be too strict
- Many descendants feel culturally Italian, even without having lived in Italy
- A residency or integration requirement might have made more sense than a generational limit
Statement from NIAF
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) released a formal statement on April 4, 2025. It reads:
American and Italian dual citizens constitute a vital resource and a tremendous benefit for both countries. As such, the National Italian American Foundation supports the widest possible parameters for the transmission of citizenship via jure sanguinis to Italian descendants residing in the United States.
NIAF also pledged to engage with the American Parliamentary Friendship Group in Italy to propose amendments to the law before it becomes permanent.
What to do if you’re affected
If you submitted your application before the cutoff, you are still under the previous rules. If you are a great-grandchild of an Italian citizen, you may no longer be eligible under the new law unless you meet other requirements or move to Italy.
Those who already have Italian citizenship will retain it, provided it was obtained legitimately. The decree does not revoke citizenship already granted unless it was acquired through fraud.
Stay informed
The law must be confirmed or amended by the Italian Parliament within 60 days of the March 28 decree. For ongoing updates, visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website.
You may also contact your nearest consulate. For American readers, here are key locations:
New York
Miami
Boston
Los Angeles
San Francisco
A final thought from our editor-in-chief
At Live in Italy Magazine, our mission has always been rooted in a deep admiration for the Italian lifestyle. What began as a desire to adopt Italian values—slowing down, embracing culture, and experiencing life authentically—has grown into a platform that celebrates real travel, regional traditions, and meaningful stories from those who have made Italy part of their lives.
Lisa Morales, Editor-in-Chief of Live in Itay Magazine
Over the years, we’ve interviewed many people who moved to Italy permanently, including some who gained citizenship by jure sanguinis. We understand the emotional and historical connection so many feel toward their Italian roots.
As Italy moves to redefine the path to citizenship, we encourage our readers not to become discouraged. Instead, stay informed. Continue pursuing meaningful experiences. And most importantly, contribute—through culture, community, and respect—to the future of Italy.
Because that’s what this law ultimately asks of all new citizens: not just to hold a passport, but to become an integral part of the Italian story.
