Italian Citizenship 2025: What Changes for Children, Grandchildren, and Great-grandchildren

Italy reformed its citizenship law and millions of descendants could be excluded from automatic recognition. The generational limit already has a cutoff date.

The new decree 36/2025 complicates the situation for great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who were planning to start proceedings. But it also opens an alternative door with more demanding requirements.

What changes with the new Italian citizenship law?

The reform approved in the Italian Senate committee limits the automatic transmission of citizenship to children and grandchildren. As of March 27, 2025, great-grandchildren will no longer be able to access through direct ius sanguinis.

Instead, the Special Residence Permit (PSR) is created: a renewable two-year visa that allows residing and working in Italy as a preliminary step to naturalization.

What happens to those who have already started the process?

Any file already initiated or with an assigned appointment before March 27, 2025, will continue under the current 1992 law. That includes both those who applied at consulates and in comuni in Italy.

The key is not to change consulates or Italian localities, and to document each step to protect the process.

Great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren: what options remain

The new law considers them "foreigners with preferential rights," but no longer automatic Italians. Their options are:

• Apply for the PSR: requires proving the family link, health insurance, economic means, and taking Italian courses.
• Pass a B1 language exam and a civic culture evaluation after 24 months of continuous residence.
• Initiate a legal claim: for unconstitutionality and retroactivity of the decree.

Will there be special quotas for Latin Americans?

Yes. Between 2026 and 2028, an exclusive quota is planned for descendants from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Venezuela. These are countries with high demand and saturated consulates.

Is the requirement that the grandparent was born in Italy maintained?

No. An amendment removed that condition. Now it is enough for the grandfather or grandmother to have been citizens, even if they were born outside Italy.

This eases the situation for many, but doesn't prevent the exclusion of those who do not qualify as children or grandchildren.

Can this law end up in court?

It is very likely. According to experts, the decree violates constitutional principles such as equality among siblings and the prohibition of retroactive laws. Additionally, it modifies already acquired rights.

Several legal studies are already preparing lawsuits to challenge the new legal framework in Italian courts.

Checklist to know if you can access Italian citizenship

• If you are a child or grandchild of an Italian: you started the process before 03/27/2025 or wait for the new centralized office that will operate from Rome.
• If you have already started the process: do not change consulates or comune, and gather evidence of each step taken.
• If you are a great-grandchild or great-great-grandchild: prepare to apply for the PSR or inquire about alternative legal avenues.
• If you lost citizenship: a period for reacquisition could reopen. You are still in time to reintegrate.

Is it the end of unlimited ius sanguinis?

It will depend on what happens in the coming weeks. The decree still needs to pass through the full Senate and the Chamber. But if the Government uses the confidence motion, it could become law before May 27.

Even so, a flood of legal protections is expected. Blood still counts, but now it must be defended with more arguments than ever.