Consulate Centralization:
What Changes for Applicants Abroad in 2029
A January 2026 law moves citizenship-by-descent applications from adults living abroad out of consulates and into a central office at the Foreign Ministry.
Last updated: November 2, 2026
Short answer (as of November 2026)
Under Law 11 of January 19, 2026, consulates keep processing citizenship applications from adults abroad until December 31, 2028, with annual caps. From January 1, 2029, those applications go by post to a central office at the Foreign Ministry in Rome, with a 36-month deadline. Minors stay with consulates.
- Until December 31, 2028: consulates continue, but each can process no more than it did the year before (and no fewer than 100 a year)
- From January 1, 2029: adults abroad apply to a central Foreign Ministry office, sending original paper documents by post
- Recognition procedures for adults abroad must finish within 36 months
- Court cases in Italy are not affected by this change
What the law does
Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026 reorganized several consular services, including citizenship recognition for people living abroad. In September 2026, the government set up the new central office, the "Servizio per la cittadinanza", which is due to start handling applications on January 1, 2029.
| Period | Who handles adult applications from abroad |
|---|---|
| Now to Dec 31, 2028 | Your consulate, with an annual cap no higher than the previous year's number of processed applications and no lower than 100 |
| From Jan 1, 2029 | A central Foreign Ministry office. Original paper documents are sent by post; later communication is electronic. Caps continue for two years |
| Unchanged | Consulates still handle minors in their district who are children of recognized citizens, and issue citizenship certificates |
What it means if you live in the U.S.
- Consulate queues may not shrink. Caps tied to last year's numbers limit how many applications each U.S. consulate can process before 2029.
- Documents must be ready to post. From 2029, applications are paper-based and sent by mail, so complete, apostilled and translated documents matter even more.
- There is a deadline. The 36-month limit gives applicants a firm timeframe, which may also affect when a court action for delay makes sense.
- The eligibility rules do not change. Article 3-bis still decides who qualifies. Check that first.
If you have an appointment before 2029, keep it. If you are deciding between the consulate and an Italian court, see court vs consulate.
Planning around the 2029 change?
We'll check eligibility first, then the fastest realistic route for your family.
Sources
- Law No. 11 of January 19, 2026 (Normattiva)
- Arletti Partners: reform of consular services and AIRE
- AISE: Foreign Ministry citizenship service created (Sept 2026)
- Italian Foreign Ministry: citizenship
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and consulate practice change; check the official sources or ask us before acting.
Questions about centralization
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