How You Can Become an Italian Citizen
Important: As of May 23, 2025, new legislation passed by the Italian government (Law 74/2025) has significantly limited eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent. Our quiz reflects the current Italian citizenship requirements and is designed to help assess your eligibility under the updated rules. Cases pursuing citizenship through other legal pathways, such as jure matrimonii (Italian citizenship by marriage), remain unaffected.
Please note: Law 74/2025 has eliminated the automatic transmission of citizenship to children. Parents must now file a formal declaration to pass on citizenship to their minor children.
This eligibility quiz will help you determine whether you qualify for Italian dual citizenship. By answering just a few questions about your Italian ancestors, we can determine if your citizenship application is likely to be approved by the Italian consulate in your area.
After you complete the quiz, our experienced team of specialists will determine if you meet the requirements for Italian citizenship and guide you in the next steps if you are likely to qualify for dual citizenship.
Important Legal Changes Affecting Eligibility
As of 2025, Italian citizenship by descent is restricted to individuals who have a parent or grandparent who:
- Was born in Italy, and
- Held exclusively Italian citizenship at the time of your birth (or their death, if they passed away before you were born).
Applications through great-grandparents or earlier generations are no longer permitted unless your complete application or appointment booking was submitted by March 27, 2025.
The 1948 Rule Still Applies: If your female ancestor was born before January 1, 1948, you may still have a pathway to Italian dual citizenship through the courts. These are known as 1948 cases, and they require a judicial petition in Italian courts. The application process is more complex than standard jure sanguinis (Italian citizenship by descent) cases.
Documentation & Cutoff Dates: Applicants who filed or scheduled a consulate appointment by March 27, 2025, may still be evaluated under the previous citizenship law. However, you must still provide full documentation and demonstrate a clear, uninterrupted line of transmission from your Italian-born ancestor who held citizenship at the relevant time.
What Happens If You Qualify? Once recognized as an Italian citizen, you can register with AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) and apply for an Italian passport. This grants you full rights of EU citizenship, including the ability to live, work, study, and access healthcare anywhere in the European Union.
Unsure Where You Stand? Let Us Help
The recent changes to Italian citizenship law have made the process significantly more complicated. If you’re considering dual Italian citizenship, it’s more important than ever to speak with experienced legal professionals who understand the new generational limits, eligibility rules, required documents, and cutoff dates.
In order to apply for Italian citizenship, you will need to not only meet the eligibility requirements based on Italian ancestry or marriage, but submit a complete set of translated documents with your application. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for Italian citizenship assistance. Whether you’re applying through jus sanguinis or dealing with a 1948 case involving a family member, we can walk you through your options and advise on your best path forward.
To find out more about becoming an Italian citizen, obtaining an Italian passport, or where to file forms or search vital records, contact us today or browse these frequently asked questions about Italian citizenship eligibility.