Pending the publication of the full reasons of the judgment, the immediate effect appears to be the confirmation of the new generational limit on citizenship iure sanguinis. For individuals born abroad who already hold another citizenship, recognition can no longer be obtained on a potentially unlimited basis along the line of descent.

At present, in order to obtain recognition of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis, it is necessary that at least one parent or one grandparent was born in Italy. The current legal framework therefore limits recognition to children and grandchildren of persons born in Italy, excluding more remote generations in the cases governed by the new legislation.

What changes for Italian citizenship by descent applications

This decision of the Italian Constitutional Court on citizenship is particularly significant for those intending to start an administrative or judicial proceeding based on iure sanguinis.

The confirmation of the constitutional legitimacy of the 2025 reform strengthens the current restrictive approach to the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent, with potentially immediate effects both on pending proceedings and on new applications filed by foreign citizens of Italian ancestry.

For many applicants residing abroad, the preliminary verification of the family line has now become even more important. It is no longer sufficient to prove descent from an Italian ancestor: it is also necessary to verify whether the applicant falls within the new legal framework requiring that at least one parent or grandparent was born in Italy.

Awaiting the reasons for the judgment

It will be necessary to await the publication of the full reasoning in order to understand in detail the grounds on which the Court rejected the objections raised by the Court of Turin. The reasoning may clarify more precisely the scope of application of the legislation and its impact on pending cases.

The ruling nonetheless represents a key step in the evolution of the rules governing Italian citizenship iure sanguinis, a matter of great interest to families of Italian origin living abroad and to all professionals dealing with Italian citizenship by descent.

Legal assistance in matters of Italian citizenship iure sanguinis

Our Law Firm closely monitors legislative and judicial developments concerning the recognition of Italian citizenship, providing qualified legal assistance in administrative procedures and litigation relating to iure sanguinis.

Do you have a pending proceeding or would you like to verify whether you are eligible for Italian citizenship iure sanguinis? Our Law Firm provides legal advice and assistance in reconstructing the line of descent, assessing legal requirements, and handling administrative and judicial proceedings relating to Italian citizenship.