Everything you need to understand Italian citizenship by descent.

Law 74/2025 (originally Decree-Law No. 36 of March 28, 2025) introduced a generational limit on Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis). Before this law, Italians could theoretically claim citizenship through ancestors going back many generations. The new law limits eligibility to applicants who have an Italian-born parent or grandparent — or a parent who lived in Italy for at least two years before the applicant's birth.

The decree became effective on March 28, 2025. Applications that were already submitted or where an appointment had been formally scheduled with an Italian consulate before March 27, 2025 at 11:59 PM Rome time are grandfathered and processed under the old rules. Applications initiated after that date must comply with the new generational limit.

If your Italian-born ancestor is a grandparent (your mother's or father's parent), you remain eligible under Law 74/2025. The new restriction only affects claims through great-grandparents or earlier generations. Grandparent claims are explicitly preserved under the new law.

If your Italian-born ancestor is a great-grandparent or earlier, you are no longer eligible for Italian citizenship by descent under the new law — unless your application was submitted or a consulate appointment was formally scheduled before the March 27, 2025 cutoff. We recommend booking a free consultation to confirm your situation and review any possible grandfathering that might apply.

The law includes a limited exception for applicants whose parent lived in Italy for at least two years before the applicant's birth — even if that parent was not born in Italy. Beyond that, the generational limit is strict for new applications. Legal challenges to the law have been filed in Italian courts, but as of this writing, the law remains in effect. We stay current on developments and advise clients accordingly.

1948 cases (where citizenship was transmitted through a woman before 1948) are still processed through Italian courts and are subject to the same generational limits under Law 74/2025. If the female ancestor in your 1948 case is a grandparent, you may still be eligible. If she is a great-grandparent or earlier, the new generational limit applies. Book a consultation for an assessment of your specific 1948 case.