IItalian citizenship by descent, known as jure sanguinis, is obtained through a direct bloodline to an Italian ancestor. Recent updates to Italian law (Law 74/25) have narrowed eligibility, generally limiting new applicants to those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent who did not become a citizen of another country before their child was born. To qualify, you must prove an unbroken family line using the required civil status documents. Having Italian citizenship has many benefits, including the right to live, work, and travel freely in Italy and across the EU.
This article will explain everything you need to know to check if you’re eligible for Italian citizenship by descent, including the application steps, required documents, and more.
This is more of what we will cover:
- What is Italian Citizenship by Descent, “Jus sanguinis”?
- Who qualifies for Italian Citizenship by Descent?
- Required Documents for Italian Citizenship by Descent
- Italy Citizenship by Descent Application Process
- How long does it take to get Italian Citizenship by Descent?
- How much does it cost to get Italian Citizenship by Descent?
- What if your Italian Citizenship by Descent application is denied?
Italian citizenship by descent is now limited to two generations. You must have a parent or grandparent born in Italy.
If your citizenship was officially recognized before March 27, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Rome time), you are still eligible. Your application will be evaluated based on the laws that were in effect at the time of submission.
Additionally, applicants must demonstrate an “effective bond” (vincolo effettivo) with Italy, such as a recent residence or direct family ties.
The Italian Parliament has approved the decree. For full details, see our Italy Citizenship Law Update guide.
What is Italian Citizenship by Descent “Jus sanguinis”?
Italian Citizenship by Descent (“Jus Sanguinis”) allows individuals to acquire Italian citizenship if they have Italian ancestry, such as parents or grandparents who were born in Italy. This principle of blood right applies when the Italian ancestor was born in Italy and the citizenship lineage remained uninterrupted before the next generation was born.
Therefore, to claim Italian citizenship by descent, you must prove that your parent or grandparent was an Italian citizen at the time of their child’s birth or while the child was still a minor. The citizenship line must not have been broken by naturalization in another country before the next generation was born. Special rules apply to descendants through maternal lines, particularly those born before 1948.
Who qualifies for Italian Citizenship by Descent?
Only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy can now qualify for citizenship by descent. Applicants relying on an Italian-born great-grandparent or earlier generations are no longer eligible, affecting many of the estimated 20 million Italian Americans. The law is being challenged, and applications or court cases filed before 27 March 2025 will follow the old rules. Around 60,000 applications are currently under review.
Therefore, according to the Italian Citizenship law, you are eligible for Italian citizenship by descent if:
- You have a parent or grandparent who was born in Italy or was an Italian citizen at the time of death and held no other citizenship. Italian citizenship by descent is now restricted to two generations.
- If citizenship status has been officially recognized, or the applicant received an appointment notification to submit their application by 27 March 2025.
- If citizenship has been granted through a court decision based on a legal request filed by 27 March 2025.
- Your Italian ancestor must have been born after 17 March 1861 (when Italy became a unified country), or died after that date if they were born earlier.
- If someone has an Italian parent or grandparent but is not eligible for citizenship by descent, they have the right to apply for Italian citizenship through residency after living in Italy for two years.
- You can acquire Italian citizenship through the maternal line under these conditions:
- In Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Trentino Alto Adige, your ancestor must have still been Italian in 1886 (Veneto) or must not have emigrated before 16 July 1920 (all three regions).
- A foreign woman automatically became Italian if she married an Italian man before 27 April 1983.
- Before 22 September 1922, a woman’s citizenship changed with her husband’s, meaning she gained or lost citizenship based on his status.
Minor children of Italian citizens can automatically be recognized as Italian citizens if:
- Minor Issues Law (2024): If an Italian-born ancestor became a citizen of another country before their child was born or while the child was still a minor, it broke the chain of Italian citizenship. This means descendants are not eligible to apply for citizenship by descent. However, this rule only applies to new applications submitted to Italian consulates or municipalities. It does not affect court cases or previously recognized citizenship claims.
New 2025 Law for Minor Children
Starting 20 May 2025, children born abroad to Italian parents will no longer automatically receive Italian citizenship unless the parent has lived in Italy for at least two years immediately before the child’s birth.
Italian Citizenship by Descent Categories
There are specific categories to qualify for Italian citizenship jure sanguinis. These are the standard categories to choose from before starting your Italy citizenship by descent application.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | Your father was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen when you turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or when you turned 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). |
| Category 2 | Your mother was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen when you turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or when you turned 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). You must have been born after January 1, 1948. |
| Category 3 | Your father was born in the U.S. or another foreign country, and your paternal grandfather was born in Italy and remained an Italian citizen until your father turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). |
| Category 4 | Your mother was born in the U.S. or another foreign country, and your maternal grandfather was born in Italy and was still an Italian citizen when your mother turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). You must have been born after January 1, 1948. |
| Category 5 | Your father was born in the U.S. or another foreign country, and your paternal grandmother was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen until your father turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). Your father must have been born after January 1, 1948. |
| Category 6 | Your mother was born in the U.S. or another foreign country, and your maternal grandmother was born in Italy and remained an Italian citizen until your mother turned 21 (before March 9, 1975) or 18 (from March 10, 1975 onward). Your mother must have been born after January 1, 1948. |
Benefits of Italian Dual Citizenship
- Freedom of movement: As an Italian citizen, you have the right to live, work, and travel freely in Italy and all other European Union (EU) countries. This gives you access to over 25 countries within the Schengen Area without the need for a visa.
- Access to healthcare: Italy offers high-quality healthcare services to its citizens through its public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). As an Italian citizen, you can access these services at a lower cost or even for free, depending on your circumstances.
- Education opportunities: Italian citizens are eligible for local tuition rates at universities and other educational institutions in Italy. These rates are often much lower than those for non-citizens, making higher education more affordable.
- Work opportunities: As a citizen of Italy, you can work in any EU country without needing a work visa or permit. This opens up job opportunities across the EU, which can be especially valuable for those seeking to advance their careers.
- Voting rights: Italian citizens have the right to vote in national, regional, and local elections in Italy. You can also vote in European Parliament elections, giving you a voice in the decisions that affect Italy and the EU.
- Dual citizenship: Italy allows dual citizenship, meaning you can hold Italian dual citizenship and citizenship from another country, without needing to renounce your original nationality.
- Access to an Italian passport: An Italian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries worldwide, making travel easier. It ranks 23rd on the Global Citizen Solution Global Passport Index, reflecting its strong international mobility.
Required Documents for Italian Citizenship by Descent
Once the descendant has confirmed that the Italian ancestor meets the criteria, he or she must gather the supporting documentation necessary to demonstrate this to the satisfaction of the Italian government.
Documents to bring to the appointment:
- Completed Application Form
- Valid Passport
- Full Birth Certificate
- Marriage, Divorce, or Death Certificates
- If the applicant lived in Italy, provide a certificate of residence (“certificato storico di residenza anagrafica”) issued by the local Municipality.
- Declaration of Past Residences for your ancestors.
Documents for the ancestor, grandparent or parent born in Italy:
- Birth Certificate: Request this from the Italian Municipality where your ancestor was born. It must be the original certificate (“Estratto per riassunto dell’atto di nascita” or “Copia conforme dell’atto integrale di nascita”).
- If your ancestor was born before the Italian Municipality had a Registry Office, submit the original Baptism Certificate, signed and stamped by the church and diocesan curia.
- A letter from the Italian Municipality confirming the year the Registry Office was established, if applicable.
- Marriage, divorce, or death certificates (if applicable), in original form, issued by the Italian Municipality.
- Foreign Certificates: Submit the original, long-form certificate (e.g., birth, marriage, or death), legalized with an apostille, and translated into Italian.
- Negative Naturalization Declaration: This shows that your ancestor did not give up Italian citizenship when moving abroad. Get this from the country your ancestor emigrated from, legalize it with an apostille, and translate it into Italian.
Documents for the next descendant born abroad must also include a full birth certificate and, if applicable, marriage, divorce, or death certificates, all in original form with an apostille and translated into Italian. The birth certificate must reflect the correct parental status, with both parents listed if unmarried and one if married.
Important notes
- All documents issued outside of Italy must be translated into Italian and legalized by the consulate or have an Apostille, depending on the country’s agreement with the Hague Convention (1961).
- Minor children automatically become Italian citizens when their parents acquire citizenship, with no extra procedures needed. Their birth certificate will be registered with the Italian municipality of residence or AIRE if they live abroad.
Italy Citizenship by Descent Application Process
Once the documents have been gathered, the application process can begin. However, special circumstances, such as applying through a maternal line before 1948 or if an ancestor naturalized in another country, may require additional steps. The application must be submitted to the local Italian Consulate if you reside abroad or to the Municipality of residence if you are living in Italy.
Here is an overview of the general process of acquiring Italian citizenship:
- Determine eligibility: Ensure you meet the requirements for citizenship by descent, which generally means you have an Italian parent or grandparent who did not renounce their citizenship and whose lineage is intact.
- Gather required documents: Collect official documents proving your Italian descent.
- Translate and legalize documents: All foreign documents must be translated into Italian and legalized with either a consular stamp or an apostille, depending on the country.
- Submit application: File your application at the Italian consulate in your home country or directly in Italy, if you live there. The consulate or municipality will check your documents and assess your eligibility.
- Wait for processing: Depending on the consulate’s workload, the process can take months to years. The consulate will notify you when your application is approved.
- Receive citizenship: If approved, you’ll be granted Italian citizenship, which may include the ability to obtain an Italian passport.
How long does it take to get Italian Citizenship by Ancestry?
The timeline for Italian citizenship by descent can differ, from a few months to several years, depending on whether you apply in Italy or at a consulate. Your application should be processed within 24 months if it is complete and error-free. In some cases, this time may be extended up to 36 months. For pre-1948 maternal line cases, applying through the Italian courts system is required; depending on the court and the complexity of the case, it can take 2 to 4 years.
Italy Citizenship by Descent Cost and Fees
The main cost to apply for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is a non-refundable application fee of €600 per adult applicant. This fee applies to all individuals submitting an application at any Italian consulate, regardless of their nationality. The payment must be made on the day of your appointment at the consulate.
Additional costs
These are some of the additional costs to keep in mind when applying for Italian citizenship by blood.
- Document costs: Obtaining birth, marriage, death, and naturalization records for each ancestor in your line.
- Apostilles: Certification required for all foreign documents.
- Translations: Official translations into Italian by a certified translator.
- Corrections or amendments: Fixing discrepancies in names, dates, or places found in historical records.
- Legal fees (optional): If you apply through the courts for a 1948 case or need professional assistance.
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