On May 20, the Italian Parliament converted decree-law 36 into ordinary law, bringing significant reforms to the rules governing citizenship by descent.

Key Points:

  • Italian citizenship by descent can now only be claimed through a parent or grandparent.
  • Previously, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after March 17, 1861, qualified for citizenship by descent.
  • Children of Italian citizens born abroad do not automatically receive citizenship.
  • Applications for citizenship by descent submitted to an Italian authority before March 27, 2025, will be processed under the previous regulations.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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