Italy’s 2025 reform (Law 74/2025) tightened jure sanguinis with a two-generation limit, stronger connection requirements, and centralized reviews in Rome. Children and most grandchildren still qualify, while great-grandchild cases face major restrictions unless supported by judicial or historical evidence. This long-form guide explains eligibility, documents, costs, routes, timelines, and realistic Plan B alternatives.

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Overview: Why Italian Citizenship Was Transformed in 2025

For over a century, Italy’s jure sanguinis policy allowed citizenship to pass indefinitely through generations, as long as the Italian ancestor never renounced before the birth of the next generation.
This created unique opportunities — but also unprecedented backlogs, legal inconsistencies, and multi-year consular queues (some exceeding 10 years in major U.S. cities).

Law 74/2025, passed after the “Tajani Decree,” is Italy’s most consequential citizenship reform in modern history.
Its goals:

• Limit automatic citizenship transmission to closer generations
• Require clearer ties to Italy
• Standardize processing across consulates
• Reduce fraudulent applications
• Bring the system closer to other EU norms

This article delivers the definitive 2025 guide for anyone exploring Italian citizenship by descent.

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What the 2025 Law Changed

The Two-Generation Limit

Historically, Italian citizenship could pass:

Italian ancestor → child → grandchild → great-grandchild → etc.

Law 74/2025 restricts automatic eligibility to:

• Parent → child
• Grandparent → grandchild

Anything beyond this requires:

• A judicial basis (e.g., 1948 cases)
• Strong documentary continuity
• Proof of “meaningful connection” to Italy
• Evidence that the ancestor retained citizenship long enough to transmit it

In practice, great-grandchild cases shifted from “common” to “exceptional.”

Connection Requirement

Applicants must now demonstrate one or more:

• Documented residence in Italy (past or present)
• Cultural or linguistic ties (not formal testing, but supporting evidence)
• Verifiable Italian civil registry records
• Proof that the Italian line maintained citizenship across generations
• Strong family documentation free of inconsistencies

This change targeted cases built exclusively on distant ancestry with little factual connection.

Centralization of Review (Rome Takes Over)

Previously, consulates had autonomy in evaluating applications.
Now:

• Many files undergo centralized review by the Ministry of the Interior
• Complex cases are escalated automatically
• RFEs (Requests for Evidence) increased significantly
• Processing times vary more across regions
• Consulates no longer control final approval in many instances

This centralization raises standards and reduces local inconsistency, but increases processing times.

Fee Increases

Fees now align with a €600-level structure, used to fund:

• Digitalization
• Centralized verification
• Increased administrative oversight

This fee applies per adult applicant.

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Quick Eligibility Matrix (Yes / Maybe / No)

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Who Still Qualifies in 2025?

Parent Line (Strongest Path)

You are almost certainly eligible if:

• Your mother or father was an Italian citizen at your birth
• They did not renounce citizenship before you were born
• You can provide certified long-form records

This path faces:

• Minimal legal obstacles
• Standard documentation requirements
• Fastest resolution (except in overloaded consulates)

Typical processing time:
12–24 months depending on consulate.

Grandparent Line (Viable, But Heavily Document-Based)

Still a common path, but with new requirements:

You may qualify if:

• Your grandparent was born in Italy
• They never renounced before your parent’s birth
• Their Italian civil records can be retrieved
• Your U.S. (or foreign) records match the Italian line
• You can demonstrate a reasonable “connection” to Italy under the new guidelines

Challenges that matter more in 2025:

• Name discrepancies
• Missing documents
• Conflicting naturalization dates
• Birth years that don’t align with Italian records
• Ancestry beyond two generations

Outcome: Many grandchild cases remain successful, but scrutiny is significantly higher.

Great-Grandparent Line

Historically the most common path for Italian Americans; now the most affected.

You may still qualify only if:

• The entire line shows uninterrupted citizenship
• Italian and U.S. records are complete and consistent
• You have a basis for judicial recognition (e.g., 1948 cases)
• Naturalization occurred after the next generation’s birth.

Special Case: The 1948 Rule (Judicial Path)

Italy’s Constitutional Court allows judicial recognition when:

• A woman transmitted citizenship to a child before January 1, 1948 (which consulates cannot accept)

This path remains open and is frequently successful.

Processing time: 12–24 months
Cost: Higher due to legal fees (€6,000–18,000+)

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Document Requirements (2025 Standards)

From the Applicant’s Country (e.g., U.S.)

• Long-form birth certificate
• Marriage certificate(s)
• Death certificate(s)
• Court-certified divorce decrees (if applicable)
• Naturalization certificate of the Italian-born ancestor
• OR “No record of naturalization found” (USCIS, NARA, local courts)

From Italy

• Estratto dell’atto di nascita
• Estratto dell’atto di matrimonio
• Stato di famiglia storico (if available)
• Citizenship status verification

Corrections Often Needed

• Name/order mismatches
• Anglicized names (Giuseppe → Joseph)
• Date discrepancies
• Missing middle names
• Incorrect birthplace recorded in U.S. documents

These can now trigger automatic RFEs under Law 74/2025.

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Routes to Recognition: Which Path Is Best?

Consulate Route (Standard)

The traditional path through an Italian consulate abroad.

Best for:

• Parent cases
• Strong grandparent cases

Pros:

• No relocation
• Clear process

Cons:

• Long wait times (12–36+ months)
• Complex document requirements
• Centralized review can add months

In-Italy Route (Residency Path)

Apply directly in Italy after establishing temporary residency.

Best for:

• Applicants willing to spend 45–90 days in Italy
• Grandchild cases with strong documentation
• Those escaping long consular waitlists

Pros:

• Faster timeline
• Hands-on municipal support

Cons:

• Requires living in Italy temporarily
• Housing + registration + logistical steps

Timeline: 90–180 days in most comuni.

Judicial Route (Court-Based Recognition)

Necessary for:

• Pre-1948 maternal line
• Great-grandparent or older cases with exceptional documentation
• Naturalization disputes
• Highly complex family trees

Pros:

• Avoid consulate queues
• Clear legal framework for 1948 cases
• Often faster

Cons:

• Requires legal representation
• Higher cost
• Case-specific outcomes

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Timeline: Realistic Expectations in 2025

Total timeline varies widely: 8 months → 4 years+ depending on case type and route.

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Costs: Complete 2025 Breakdown

Core mandatory costs

• Consular fee: €600 per adult
• Vital records: $20–60 each
• Apostilles: $20–30 each
• Translations: $40–80 per page
• Italian records: usually €0–20

Professional fees

• Docs-only assistance: $2,000–5,000
• Full-service support: $6,000–13,000 per adult
• Judicial cases: $7,000–18,000+

Family examples

Example 1: One applicant (grandparent line)

Total: $6,000–10,000

Example 2: Three siblings applying together

Total: $14,000–22,000

Example 3: Five-member family, judicial route

Total: $22,000–40,000+

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Case Studies

Case 1: The Clean Grandparent Case

• Grandfather born in Calabria
• Clear records, no discrepancies
• Naturalization occurred after parent’s birth
  Outcome: Eligible → Consulate route
  Timeline: 18–30 months
  Cost: $7,000–12,000

Case 2: The Pre-1948 Maternal Line

• Great-grandmother born in Italy
• Daughter born 1927
• No naturalization
  Outcome: Eligible → Judicial recognition
  Timeline: 12–18 months
  Cost: $8,000–16,000

Case 3: The Great-Grandchild With Gaps

• Great-grandfather born in Italy
• Significant document inconsistencies
• No connection to Italy
  Outcome: Likely not eligible (unless judicial basis emerges)
  Alternative: Plan B residency portfolio

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If You No Longer Qualify: Your Plan B

Many Italian Americans no longer meet the new rules — but the path to Europe is far from closed.

EU Digital Nomad Visas

Perfect for remote workers:

• Portugal
• Spain
• Greece
• Croatia
• Italy (RNT program)

Retirement Visas

• Italy Elective Residence
• Greece Financially Independent Persons Visa
• Portugal D7

Residency-to-Citizenship Programs

Offering citizenship after 5–10 years:

• Portugal
• Spain
• Greece
• Malta residency programs

Other Ancestry Programs

• Irish Citizenship by Descent
• Polish Ancestry
• Croatian Ancestry
• Lithuanian Ancestry

Build a “Mobility Asset Stack”

Using GlobalCitizens tools, families can build:

• EU residency
• Offshore diversification
• Long-term Plan B
• Multi-jurisdictional options
• Passport sequencing strategies

Losing Italian CbD does not mean losing access to Europe.

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Where to Go From Here

If you want to understand your position under the 2025 rules, these resources can help clarify the next steps.:

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Check Your Eligibility (3 minutes)

Instantly identify whether your lineage meets the new 2025 criteria.

Book a Strategy Call

Get a full evaluation of your ancestor line, required records, best route, timeline, and total costs.

Use the Family Cost Calculator

Learn your exact all-in investment for 1–6 applicants.

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FAQ

Is Italian citizenship still possible for great-grandchildren?

Only in exceptional cases with strong documentation or via judicial routes (especially 1948 cases).

Does the 2025 reform eliminate jure sanguinis?

No. It tightens eligibility but preserves citizenship by descent as a recognition of birthright.

Do I need to speak Italian?

No formal test, but connection evidence may help under the new rules.

Can I apply in Italy instead of my consulate?

Yes. The Italy route is faster for many applicants.

Are judicial cases worth it?

Yes for pre-1948 maternal lines; variable for great-grandparent cases.

Can my children get citizenship too?

Yes, once you are recognized — regardless of their age.

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Glossary

Jure Sanguinis: Citizenship by descent
1948 Case: Judicial recognition for maternal-line cases before 1948
RFE: Request for Evidence
Stato Civile: Italian civil registry office
Renunciation: Formal loss of Italian citizenship
Comune: Italian municipality

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Author: GlobalCitizens Editorial Team
Expert Reviewer: Licensed Italian Immigration Attorney
Last Updated: December 2025
Fact Sources: Italian Ministry of Interior, Italian Civil Code, Italian consular requirements

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