Law 74/2025 (Tajani Decree) · In effect since March 2025
In March 2025, Italy radically reformed jus sanguinis. Transmission "with no generational limit" is now a thing of the past. We clearly explain whether your family link still qualifies under the new law, and what options exist if it does not.
What changed in 2025
For over a century, Italian law imposed no generational limit on jus sanguinis: it was enough to show an Italian ancestor alive in 1861 (the year of Italian unification) and an unbroken chain of transmission. Decree-Law No. 36/2025, converted into Law No. 74/2025, changed this substantially as of March 28, 2025.
Any descendant with an Italian ancestor alive in 1861 and an unbroken transmission line could apply for citizenship — even through great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents or earlier generations, with no theoretical limit.
Descendants born abroad (who hold another nationality) only have a right to Italian citizenship if they have at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy who held EXCLUSIVELY Italian citizenship at the time the next link in the chain was born (Art. 3-bis, Law 91/1992, as amended by Law 74/2025).
The new restrictions apply regardless of the applicant's date of birth. Only applications fully documented and submitted before an Italian consulate, municipality or court before that deadline are processed under the previous rules. Those whose citizenship was already recognized (by a court, municipality or consulate) do NOT lose it.
The most important part
We explain it honestly, based on your family link to Italy:
If your father or mother was born in Italy and held exclusively Italian citizenship at the time of your birth (had not naturalized in another country beforehand), your link falls within the "parent" limit allowed by the new law.
You qualify if your grandparent was born in Italy and held EXCLUSIVELY Italian citizenship at the time your parent was born, AND your parent did not naturalize in another country before your birth. Both conditions must be met — this is the most common case requiring detailed document analysis.
If your only Italian ancestor is a great-grandparent (or earlier generation), the direct administrative route is no longer available under Law 74/2025 — unless your complete application was already filed before 03/27/2025, or you explore the judicial route (next section).
If your link is more distant
For those descended from Italian great-grandparents (or earlier generations), some specialized law firms explore claims before Italian courts. It is important to understand the real limits of this route before starting a process.
Any judicial citizenship claim by descent is equally subject to the new generational limits (parent/grandparent) and the exclusive-citizenship requirement for the transmitting ancestor introduced by Law 74/2025. It is not a "shortcut" around the new law.
Citizenship judicial processes in Italian courts can take years, involve significant legal costs, and their outcome is not guaranteed — especially under the new legal framework, which still generates controversy and constitutionality challenges from Italian jurists and lawmakers.
If your link is through a great-grandparent, we guide you on the real options available, including referral to firms specialized in Italian citizenship litigation, without creating expectations that current law does not support.
If you qualify within the new limits
We review your link (parent or grandparent) and verify whether the transmitting ancestor held exclusively Italian citizenship at the key moment.
We gather birth, marriage and, where applicable, death certificates for each relevant link in the family chain.
We obtain negative naturalization certificates for the transmitting ancestor, key under the new "exclusive citizenship" requirement.
We apostille and translate all documents into Italian, per consular requirements.
We submit the file before the relevant Italian consulate, or coordinate referral to the judicial route if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions