Navigate the New Italian citizenship Rules: What changes with Law n. 74

May 26, 2025

On Friday, May 23^rd 2025, the Official Gazette has published the text formalizing the conversion of Decree-Law No. 36 into ordinary law.

Law n. 74, May 23^rd 2025, in force from May 24^th 2025.

The new Law brings significant changes to the Italian citizenship by descent eligibility criteria, particularly introducing a generational limit on the transmission of Italian citizenship.

From now on, individuals born abroad with Italian ancestry will not be granted Italian citizenship, unless they meet one of the requirements (or exceptions) outlined below:

• An individual has submitted their application for the recognition of Italian citizenship, including all necessary documentation, with the appropriate authorities (Italian Consulate, Town Hall, Court) prior to March 27^th, 2025 (included). These applications will be evaluated in accordance with the regulations that were in force prior to the decree-law coming into effect;

• An individual submits their application after March 27^th 2025, only in case the appointment was scheduled and communicated to the applicant by the competent authority before that date. These applications will be evaluated in accordance with the regulations that were in force prior to the decree-law coming into effect;

• An individual has a parent or a grandparent who held exclusively Italian citizenship at the time of their death or currently holds it;
• An individual has a parent or adoptive parent that has been resident in Italy for at least two continuous years after the acquisition of Italian citizenship and prior to the date of his/her birth or adoption.

Different rules are in force also for minor children of Italian citizens.

• Children who were still minors on May 24^th, 2025 (under 18): Italian parents can submit a declaration for them to acquire Italian citizenship until May 31^st, 2026.
• Children up to 1 year old: the child can acquire citizenship if a parent or guardian submits a declaration for them to acquire Italian citizenship, within the first birth year.
• Children over 1 year old: the child must reside in Italy for two consecutive years following the submission of a declaration by their parents.

The minor who has been granted Italian citizenship may renounce it once they turn 18 (if they hold another nationality).

The law n. 74 introduces other several provisions relating to Italian citizenship; further information will be provided by our team in the upcoming days.

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Article written by Giuditta De Ricco, Valentina Giannessi and Daniele Sergio Ranno.

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