Italy Approves Bill 1683: Citizenship Process Update

On January 14, 2026, the Italian Parliament approved Bill 1683, marking another major step in the ongoing Italian citizenship reform that has been unfolding since 2025. This legislation does not change who qualifies for citizenship—but it significantly reshapes how Italian citizenship by descent applications are processed, especially for adults living abroad.

For applicants with Italian ancestry, these Italian citizenship law changes introduce a new administrative structure, a phased transition, and longer timelines that make preparation and guidance more important than ever.

What Bill 1683 Changes—and What It Doesn’t

Bill 1683 (also referenced as DDL 2369) focuses on procedure, not eligibility. The rules governing eligibility—such as the two-generation limit, the exclusive Italian citizenship requirement for the qualifying ancestor, and the long-debated “minor issue”—remain governed by Law 74/2025 and related court rulings.

Instead, Bill 1683 introduces structural reforms aimed at centralizing how adult Italian citizenship by descent changes are handled. The law moves most adult jure sanguinis applications away from local consulates and into a single national office in Rome. This shift is designed to standardize processing but is widely expected to slow overall timelines in the short and medium term.

Senate Approval and the Centralization Plan

With Senate approval secured, Italy is moving toward a centralized system within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Bill 1683 creates a dedicated Rome-based unit within MAECI—Servizio per la Ricostruzione della Cittadinanza Italiana—to handle new adult jure sanguinis applications filed from abroad once the centralized procedure becomes operational.

The law sets centralization to begin on January 1 of the third calendar year following the law’s entry into force. Assuming entry into force occurs in 2026, full centralization is expected to take effect on January 1, 2029. Until then, applicants must deal with a tightly regulated transition period.

The Transition Period

During the transition phase, Italian consulates will continue to accept adult jure sanguinis applications—but under strict limits:

• Annual caps: Until the switchover, each consulate may accept no more applications per year than the number it successfully completed in the year before the law entered into force (with a minimum of 100 per year).
• Operational strain: These caps are expected to intensify waitlists and competition for appointments in already backlogged jurisdictions.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will begin staffing up for centralization. Starting in 2026, 87 new personnel—including senior officials, functionaries, and assistants—will be added to support the future Rome-based office.

For applicants, this means the transition years may be some of the most unpredictable. Appointment availability, intake speed, and local practices are likely to vary widely by consulate.

What Happens Under Full Centralization

Once the new system is fully operational:

A Single National Office in Rome

All new adult jure sanguinis applications submitted from abroad must be sent by postal mail, in original paper form, directly to the Rome office. Consulates will no longer process these applications.

Narrowed Role of Consulates

Local consulates will focus on:

• Registering minor children of already-recognized Italian citizens
• Verifying continued possession of citizenship for those already recognized

Longer Processing Times

The statutory timeframe to complete an application will extend to 24–36 months, replacing the prior 24-month standard. While framed as a maximum, this extension reflects expectations of heavier caseloads and centralized review.

Digital Communication After Filing

Although applications must be submitted physically, all follow-up communication—requests, updates, and decisions—will occur via email.

Important upcoming dates to watch: Several key legal milestones in 2026 may further shape how Italian citizenship laws are applied.

• March 11, 2026: The Italian Constitutional Court is scheduled to hear challenges to the constitutionality of Law 74/2025.
• May 31, 2026: Current deadline to register certain minor children under transitional exceptions.
• Early 2026: An anticipated ruling from the Court of Cassation (United Sections) on the long-running “minor issue,” with potential implications for pending and future applications.

The Impact of These Italian Citizenship Law Changes

Taken together, these reforms signal a more controlled, document-driven, and slower system. For applicants, the practical impact is clear:

• Errors or missing documents will be harder to correct once a file is in Rome
• Longer timelines increase the risk that legal rules or interpretations shift mid-process
• The transition period creates uneven access depending on consular jurisdiction

Many observers expect these pressures to increase administrative appeals and court filings, especially for applicants affected by the “minor issue” or evolving judicial interpretations.

Related 2026 updates for minors (separate from Bill 1683): Separate Italian citizenship law changes effective January 1, 2026, expand the declaration window for certain minors born abroad to three years (previously one year) and remove the €250 fee for these declarations submitted from that date.

No refunds will be issued for applications submitted on or before December 31, 2025. Because these rules come from separate legislation and consular implementation, families should confirm how they apply before filing.

Navigating the New Landscape With Confidence

As Italian citizenship laws continue to evolve, success increasingly depends on sound preparation. Understanding how Bill 1683 interacts with earlier reforms—and how to position an application during the transition years—can make a meaningful difference.

This is where experienced guidance is so important. From evaluating eligibility under current law to assembling compliant documentation and planning around shifting procedures, professional dual citizenship assistance helps applicants move forward with clarity in an uncertain environment. You can find the help you need at Italian American Citizenship Assistance Program.

If you’re considering Italian citizenship by descent—or already preparing an application—now is the time to reassess your strategy and ensure it aligns with the new reality of Italy’s citizenship process. Reach out to us today for a free telephone consultation.