Italian citizenship by descent, also known as jure sanguinis, allows individuals with Italian ancestry to claim citizenship based on bloodline rather than birthplace. This means that if you have an Italian parent or grandparent, you can already qualify for an Italian passport.
However, recent legal changes in 2025 have updated the eligibility rules, limiting how far back you can claim ancestry and introducing new requirements. As a result, many applicants who previously qualified might no longer be eligible, while others will need you to apply through a different route, such as the Italian courts.
This guide explains who qualifies, how the process works, and the fastest way to apply based on your specific situation.
Italian Citizenship by Descent Key Takeaways
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.
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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.
Do you qualify for Italian Citizenship by Descent?
The 2026 Italian citizenship by descent rules are based on the Tajani Decree (Law 74/2025) and recent court decisions. The main requirement is that your citizenship line must remain unbroken from your Italian ancestor to you, but new laws now limit eligibility to those with an Italian parent or grandparent.
Therefore, you qualify if:
- Your parent was born in Italy and was still an Italian citizen when you were born
- Your grandparent was born in Italy, and your parent did not lose citizenship before your birth
- You apply through a 1948 court case if your Italian ancestor is a woman and the line passes through her before 1948
Italian Citizenship by Descent Requirements in 2026
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.
| Requirement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The 1861 Rule | Your Italian ancestor must have been alive on or after March 17, 1861, as this is the official date of Italy’s unification, and anyone who died before this date was not legally recognized as an Italian citizen. |
| The Naturalization Rule | Your Italian-born ancestor must not have become a citizen of another country before the birth of the next person in your direct family line, as this would break the chain of citizenship. |
| The No-Renunciation Rule | Neither your Italian ancestor nor anyone in your direct line, such as a parent or grandparent, can have formally renounced their Italian citizenship. |
| Generational Limits (2025–2026) | You must have at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy to qualify, as citizenship by descent is no longer automatically available through great-grandparents or more distant ancestors. |
| Exception for Older Applications | If you submitted your application or booked a consulate appointment before March 27, 2025, your case may still be processed under the previous rules, which did not include generational limits. |
| Residency Route for Great-Grandchildren | If your Italian ancestor is a great-grandparent or further back, you will not qualify automatically and must instead live in Italy for two consecutive years before applying for citizenship. |
| The 1948 Rule | You can claim citizenship through a female ancestor only if her child was born on or after January 1, 1948, while cases involving children born before this date must be handled through the Italian courts. |
| The Minor Issue Rule | If your Italian ancestor became a citizen of another country while their child was still legally a minor (under 21 before 1975 or under 18 after 1975), your application may be refused by a consulate and may require a court process instead. |
| Minor Children Registration Rule (2026) | Italian citizens must register children born abroad within three years of birth to ensure they retain their right to citizenship. |
| Grace Period (2025–2026) | If a child was born before May 24, 2025, parents have until May 31, 2026, to complete registration and preserve the child’s eligibility for Italian citizenship. |
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 in the Schengen Area without 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
Collecting documents for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is a long process that traces your family line back to Italy, step by step. Document requirements have become stricter in 2026, under the Tajani Decree (Law 74/2025) and updated rules for minor children, which means accuracy and consistency are more important than ever. All foreign documents must be submitted as long-form or certified copies, include a Hague Apostille, and be translated into Italian by a sworn translator to be accepted by Italian authorities.
01/ Documents for your Italian ancestor
These documents prove that your claim starts with a valid Italian citizen.
- Italian birth certificate: You must request the official Estratto dell’Atto di Nascita (which includes parents’ names) from the Comune where your ancestor was born.
- Marriage certificate: If the marriage took place in Italy, provide the Italian certificate. If it took place abroad, provide the foreign certificate with an apostille and translation.
- Death certificate
- Certificate of non-naturalization: This is one of the most important documents, as it proves your ancestor did not become a citizen of another country before their child was born.
02/ Documents for each generation in your family line
You need to provide a full set of records for every person between your Italian ancestor and you.
- Birth certificates: These must be long-form versions that clearly show the parents’ names.
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce records (if applicable): You should provide the final judgment, including proof that no appeal was filed.
- Death certificates: These are required for any deceased relatives in your family line.
03/ Your documents (the applicant)
You have to also provide your own documents and supporting records.
- Your birth certificate
- Your marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Your children’s birth certificates (if applicable): Under the 2026 rules, children born before May 24, 2025, must be registered by May 31, 2026, while children born after that date must be registered within three years.
- Valid passport.
- Proof of residency, usually with a utility bill or driver’s license.
Italy Citizenship by Descent Application: Step by Step Process
Step 01/ Confirm your eligibility
Start by confirming that you qualify for Italian citizenship by descent and that your citizenship line is legally intact. Under the 2025–2026 rules, eligibility is now limited to two generations only, meaning you should have an Italian parent or grandparent, although exceptions can apply if you submitted your application before March 27, 2025. The best way to do this is to speak to a legal expert at Global Citizen Solutions with years of experience in Italian Immigration Law.
Step 02/ Gather your documents
Once you have confirmed eligibility, you need to collect all required documents for every generation in your family line. This includes birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as the official Italian birth certificate from your ancestor’s Comune.
Step 03/ Legalize your documents
All documents must be properly legalized before submission, which includes translating them into Italian and obtaining an apostille. Translations should be completed by a certified or sworn translator, and every document has to meet Italian legal standards. It is important to make sure that names, dates, and details match across all records, because even small discrepancies can lead to rejection.
Step 04/ Submit your application
You can submit your application either through an Italian consulate in your country of residence or through the Italian courts, depending on your case. Consulate applications are more common but involve long waiting times and require booking through the official system, while court applications are used for 1948 cases or when facing excessive delays.
Step 05/ Wait for approval
After submission, processing times will be different depending on the application route you choose. Consulate applications can take up to two years or more, while court applications are mostly faster and can take around 12 to 24 months. Once your application is approved, your citizenship will be officially registered in Italy, and you will need to enroll in the AIRE system before applying for your 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 court 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.
These are the mandatory government costs:
| Item | Fee (per person) | Context / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate Application Fee | €600 ($640–$700 USD) | Required for all applicants aged 18 and over and is non-refundable. |
| Comune Application Fee | Up to €600 | Applies if you submit your application while living in Italy. |
| 1948 Court Case Fee | €600 | This is the Contributo Unificato required for judicial applications and is paid per applicant. |
| Historical Record Search | Up to €300 | Charged per certificate if records are older than 100 years and not directly issued to the applicant. |
| Minor Birth Registration | €0 (Free) | As of 2026, the €250 fee for registering minor children has been removed. |
| Passport Issuance Fee | €116 | Paid only after your Italian citizenship has been approved and registered. |
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.
Consulate vs Court: Italian Citizenship by Descent 2026
| Feature | Consulate (Administrative Route) | Court (Judicial Route) |
|---|---|---|
| Who This Is For | Applicants with an Italian parent or grandparent, or those who booked appointments before March 27, 2025. | Applicants with 1948 cases, great-grandparent claims (case-by-case), or those facing long consulate delays. |
| Generational Limit | Strict two-generation limit, meaning only parent or grandparent claims are usually accepted. | More flexible, as lawyers can argue that the citizenship line remains valid based on descent. |
| 1948 Maternal Cases | Not accepted, as consulates cannot override the 1948 gender rule. | High success rate and the only legal route for cases involving female ancestors before 1948. |
| Minor Issue Rule | High risk of rejection if the ancestor naturalized while their child was still a minor. | Judges may allow more flexibility, although some cases are paused pending court rulings. |
| Processing Time | Typically 2 to 10+ years, depending on demand in your location. | Usually 12 to 24 months, making it the faster option in many cases. |
| Costs | €600 ($640–$700 USD), which is a non-refundable application fee. | €600 court fee plus approximately €5,000–€10,000 in legal fees. |
| Travel Required | No travel required, as you apply in your country of residence. | No travel required, as your lawyer handles the case in Italy. |
| Final Outcome | Citizenship is recognized and registered through the consulate. | A court decision (sentenza) orders the Italian Comune to recognize your citizenship. |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
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