Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)

• A parent or grandparent who held only Italian citizenship (no other nationality), at least at the time of their death
• Or: an Italian parent who lived in Italy continuously for 2 years after becoming a citizen and before your birth or adoption
• Citizenship passed down without a break in each generation (no ancestor gave it up before the next generation was born)
• The previous rules (no generational limit) apply only if you applied, filed a court case, or had a confirmed consulate or municipal appointment by 27 March 2025, 23:59 Rome time

• Full Italian/EU citizenship
• Italian passport
• Live/work anywhere in EU
• Access to Italian/EU healthcare
• Study at EU tuition rates

• Law 74/2025 limits new claims to the children and grandchildren of Italian citizens, with narrow exceptions
• Whether the new limit also applies to new court cases under the 1948 rule (female line, children born before 1948) is disputed. Get individual legal advice
• Italy's Constitutional Court upheld the new rules in ruling 63/2026 (April 2026); further challenges are pending
• From 1 January 2029, adult applications move from consulates to a central office in Rome (Law 11/2026)

Italian citizenship by descent changed on 28 March 2025 and court challenges continue. Check the sources below, or consult a qualified lawyer, before starting an application.