Italy’s Constitutional Court has signaled support for a controversial government proposal that could significantly restrict who qualifies for Italian citizenship through ancestry, a move that could reshape long-standing citizenship rules dating back more than a century.
Overview of the Proposed Citizenship Law
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Institution | Constitutional Court |
| Issue | Restrictions on citizenship by ancestry |
| Current Principle | Ius sanguinis (citizenship through bloodline) |
| Proposed Change | Limit citizenship to children or grandchildren of Italians |
| Final Verdict | Expected after additional hearings |
Court Signals Support for Government Proposal
During the first of four hearings this week, Italy’s Constitutional Court said that legal challenges raised by judges in Turin were partly unfounded and partly inadmissible.
The court’s statement effectively cleared an early hurdle for the proposed law introduced by the government in 2025.
A final ruling on the measure is expected in the coming weeks once additional hearings are completed.
What the Current Law Allows
Italy currently follows the principle of “ius sanguinis,” meaning citizenship can be passed down through family lineage.
Under existing rules:
- Anyone with an Italian ancestor can potentially claim citizenship
- Citizenship can pass through multiple generations
- Descendants of Italian emigrants around the world often qualify
This system was formally recognized in Italian law in 1912 and reinforced again in 1992.
As a result, millions of people—particularly in countries with large Italian diaspora populations—have sought Italian citizenship.
What the New Law Would Change
The proposed reform would dramatically narrow eligibility.
Under the new rules, citizenship would generally be limited to people who have:
- A parent or grandparent born in Italy
- A relative who held only Italian citizenship at the time of birth
This would prevent distant descendants of Italian emigrants from automatically claiming citizenship generations later.
Government’s Reasoning
Italian officials say the changes are necessary to prevent what they describe as misuse of the citizenship system.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said citizenship should not be granted automatically to people with only distant ancestral ties.
“Being an Italian citizen is a serious matter,” Tajani said when the proposal was first introduced.
He argued that some applicants have little cultural or linguistic connection to Italy despite claiming citizenship through ancestry.
Surge in Citizenship Claims
Government data shows a rapid increase in Italians living abroad.
Between 2014 and 2024, the number rose from about 4.2 million to 6.4 million.
Many of those new citizens live in countries such as:
- Brazil
- Argentina
These countries have large populations descended from Italian immigrants who left the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Critics Say Law Is Unfair
The proposal has drawn criticism from lawyers and advocates representing descendants seeking Italian citizenship.
Citizenship lawyer Marco Mellone called the proposal deeply troubling.
“It is a very sad day for millions of people,” he told CNN.
He argues that people who are considered Italian citizens at birth should not lose that status because of new legislation.
Ongoing Legal Challenge
Several legal experts have challenged the reform, arguing that it may violate constitutional protections tied to citizenship rights.
Professor Corrado Caruso, one of the lawyers challenging the law, described the measure as a “harsh intervention.”
Despite the court’s early position, the legal battle may continue depending on the final ruling.
Current Applications
Officials say ongoing citizenship applications are not expected to be affected by the latest court decision.
However, future applicants could face stricter requirements if the law is fully implemented.
