Your Italian Citizenship Journey Starts Here

For decades, the most common path to Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) was through an Italian consulate in your country of residence. However, major reforms enacted in 2025 significantly changed the eligibility rules for many applicants born abroad. As a result, determining whether citizenship may be pursued through a consulate, a court petition, or another pathway has become substantially more complex. 

Considering Italian citizenship? Below are answers to the questions we hear most often from clients. Every case is unique, and recent legal developments have made professional evaluation more important than ever.

Last updated: June 3, 2026

Italy’s Decree Law 36/2025, also known as the “Tajani Decree”, and later converted into Law 74/2025, has reshaped jure sanguinis eligibility. This guide explains what has changed, who is affected, and where the rules stand today.

For many individuals with Italian heritage, citizenship by descent, known as jure sanguinis, is the most direct and cost-effective route to an Italian passport. However, eligibility is strictly governed by Italian nationality law, and not everyone qualifies.