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Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis)

Italian citizenship by descent after Law 74/2025: what changed for people born abroad, which conditions matter, where to apply and how to check your own case.

Quick answer

Citizenship by descent (ius sanguinis) is transmitted by birth, but Law 74/2025 restricted automatic acquisition for people born abroad: it is generally recognised where a parent or grandparent was born in Italy, subject to specific conditions and exceptions set by law. Individual cases must be verified with the competent authority.

Until 2025, citizenship by descent could be transmitted across generations even without effective ties to Italy. The 2025 reform introduced clear limits for people born abroad.

This page provides orientation only: an individual assessment belongs to the competent Italian consulate or the authority handling the file, and depends on dates, your parents’ citizenship and available records.

Who this guide is for

Descendants of Italian emigrants wondering whether they are entitled to recognition of Italian citizenship.

What you need

  • Birth records for you and your ancestors, registered in Italian civil status records
  • Documents on the citizenship of parents and grandparents
  • Any evidence of recognition already granted
  • AIRE registration, where applicable

Step-by-step process

  1. 1. Reconstruct your line of descent

    Collect birth, marriage and citizenship records for parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

  2. 2. Check the application or recognition dates

    The statutory exceptions also depend on dates and on proceedings already started.

  3. 3. Contact the competent consulate

    The Italian consulate in your country of residence handles applications filed from abroad.

  4. 4. Consider alternatives

    If recognition is not available, look at the routes requiring legal residence in Italy.

What happens next

  • Read Law 91/1992 as amended in 2025.
  • Request an appointment with the competent consulate to discuss your case.
  • Consider qualified professional help for complex documentary work.

Common mistakes

Mistake: Relying on information from before the reform.

Better approach: Check the text currently in force and the latest official guidance.

Mistake: Submitting unregistered or incomplete records.

Better approach: Check that records are complete before starting the procedure.

What changed with Law 74/2025

The legislation is technically complex and covers different scenarios: read the text in force on Normattiva and confirm with the competent consulate before starting a procedure.

  • People born abroad no longer acquire citizenship automatically in all cases: the conditions set by law apply.
  • Ancestry matters: generally a parent or grandparent born in Italy, with the qualifications the law specifies.
  • The law provides exceptions, for example for recognitions already completed or proceedings already pending, plus specific rules for minors.
  • Special provisions apply to descendants living abroad regarding residence in Italy and work-related entry.

Documents for citizenship

Applications generally require: a foreign birth certificate translated and legalised, criminal record and pending charges certific…

Read the guide

Italian citizenship by residence

Citizenship by residence (naturalisation) generally requires ten years of legal, continuous residence in Italy for non-EU citizens…

Read the guide

How to file a citizenship application

Citizenship applications are filed exclusively online through the Ministry of the Interior portal: you need SPID or CIE access (de…

Read the guide

Italian language requirement: B1 level

For the main citizenship routes — residence and marriage — Italian at B1 level or above under the Common European Framework is req…

Read the guide

Citizenship route checker

Helps you navigate citizenship routes and shows requirements and official sources.

Open the tool

Official sources

This page is based on the official sources listed below. Open them to check the most recent information directly with the competent authority.

  • Normattiva — Italian legislation database

    Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri · in italiano

    Banca dati ufficiale del testo vigente delle norme italiane, incluso il Testo Unico sull’immigrazione (D.Lgs. 286/1998).

    Link last verified:

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

    MAECI

    Sito istituzionale della Farnesina: rete consolare, visti, legalizzazioni e servizi per i cittadini stranieri.

    Link last verified:

  • ALI Portal — Citizenship (Ministry of the Interior)

    Ministero dell’Interno — DLCI · in italiano

    Portale telematico ufficiale per presentare e consultare la domanda di cittadinanza italiana (accesso con SPID o CIE).

    Link last verified:

  • Official Gazette of the Italian Republic

    Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato · in italiano

    Fonte ufficiale di pubblicazione delle leggi, dei decreti e dei testi normativi italiani.

    Link last verified:

Important notice

The information published on ItalyDocsHub is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and requirements may change. For current information and advice regarding your specific situation, always consult the relevant official authority or a qualified professional.

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