Meloni government approves law limiting citizenship for foreign descendants to curb mass immigration
Italy’s Chamber of Deputies has officially passed the decree promoted by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, introducing new restrictions on the process of recognizing Italian citizenship for descendants of Italians born abroad. With 137 votes in favor, 83 against, and 2 abstentions, the measure was ratified after receiving approval from the Senate last week, where it also passed with a majority.
The reform significantly narrows the scope of the ius sanguinis principle, which until now allowed even great-great-grandchildren of Italian nationals to claim citizenship, provided they could demonstrate an unbroken genealogical line back to an ancestor born after 1861, the year of Italian unification. Under the new law, the right of blood is limited to just two generations: only children and grandchildren of Italian citizens may now apply for an Italian passport, as long as their Italian ancestor had not renounced citizenship or acquired another nationality before passing away.
The new legal framework stipulates that Italian citizenship will no longer be automatic for those born outside the country who already hold another nationality. Furthermore, it explicitly excludes individuals born abroad prior to the enforcement of the new law, even if they meet other criteria.
One of the most controversial points was the removal—via parliamentary amendment—of the requirement that the ancestor be born in Italy. However, this change came with a new condition that has drawn criticism from many descendants: the ancestor must have held only Italian citizenship, with no dual nationality at the time of transmitting citizenship or at their death.
The reform also includes additional provisions: applicants must demonstrate a real and verifiable connection to Italy to be granted citizenship; for minors, parents or legal guardians must formally request citizenship on their behalf, and must have legally resided in Italy for at least two years.
The law also shortens administrative processing times for citizenship requests through marriage, setting a maximum of 24 months. It allows those who lost their Italian citizenship to regain it, provided they were born in or resided in Italy for at least two years. This recovery process will only be available between July 1, 2025, and December 31, 2027.
Forza Italia, one of the parties that supported the initiative, celebrated the law’s final approval. In a statement released by its coordinators abroad, the party called the measure a “necessary reform” that “modernizes outdated legislation, strengthens ties with Italian communities around the world, and recognizes those who have truly integrated into Italian society.”
The approved text, consisting of four articles, marks a substantial shift in Italy’s nationality policy. While some see it as an update in line with current realities, for thousands of descendants in Latin America, the United States, and other parts of the world, it poses a significant new barrier to obtaining the citizenship of their ancestors.
