Italy tightens rules for Italian descendants to become citizens

 

Italy has approved a law that tightens the rules for people with Italian heritage to get passports.

Previously, anyone with an Italian ancestor who lived after 17 March, 1861 - when the Kingdom of Italy was created - qualified to be a citizen under the 'jus sanguinis', or descendent blood line law.

Under the amended law, which parliament ratified on Tuesday, applicants for an Italian passport must now have one parent or grandparent who was a citizen by birth.

The government said it changed the rules to "enhance" the link between Italy and the citizen abroad, avoid 'abuse' and 'commercialisation' of passports, and free up resources to clear backlogged applications.

From the end of 2014 to the end of 2024, the number of citizens residing abroad increased by 40%, from around 4.6 million to 6.4 million, the government said.

As of the end of March, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government introduced the law, there were more than 60,000 pending legal proceedings for citizenship verification.

Italy's foreign ministry said in a statement then that the change "will free up resources to make consular services more efficient, to the extent that they can be dedicated exclusively to those who have a real need, by virtue of their concrete connection with Italy".

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the principle "will not be lost" and descendants of Italians will still be able to become citizens, but "precise limits will be set, especially to avoid abuse or phenomena of 'commercialization' of Italian passports".

"Citizenship must be a serious thing," he said.

Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxkk0z9y05o

Comprehension

What law in Italy previously allowed descendants to claim Italian citizenship?
What is the new requirement for applying for Italian citizenship under the amended law?
When was the Kingdom of Italy created?
What reason did the Italian government give for changing the citizenship law?
By how much did the number of Italian citizens residing abroad increase from 2014 to 2024?
As of March 2025, how many pending legal cases for citizenship verification were there?
How does the government plan to use freed-up consular resources?
According to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, what must be avoided in the citizenship process?
What does the government mean by the "commercialization" of passports?
Will descendants of Italians still be able to claim citizenship under the new law?

Discussion

Do you agree with Italy's decision to tighten its citizenship rules? Why or why not?
How should countries balance the right to citizenship with preventing misuse or overuse?
Should citizenship based on ancestry be limited to closer generations (parents/grandparents), or remain open to more distant descendants?
What do you think are the pros and cons of having "jus sanguinis" as a basis for citizenship?
How might this new law affect people around the world with distant Italian heritage?
Should countries consider how well-connected applicants are to the culture or language before granting citizenship?
Do you think the commercialization of passports (e.g., people seeking a second passport for convenience or business) is a problem? Why?
How would you feel if your eligibility for citizenship in a country suddenly changed because of a law like this?
What might be some fair ways to prove a “concrete connection” to a country?
How can governments make consular services more efficient without being unfair to people applying from abroad?

Vocabulary

Jus sanguinis – A Latin term meaning “right of blood,” a principle where nationality is not determined by place of birth but by having a parent who is a national.
Ancestor – A person from whom one is descended, especially more distant than a grandparent.
Ratify – To formally approve or confirm a law or agreement.
Amended – Changed or revised (usually referring to a law or document).
Commercialization – The process of using something for profit or business purposes, often in a way that reduces its original value or purpose.
Consular services – Services provided by a country's consulate, such as passport issuance, citizenship applications, and help for citizens abroad.
Verification – The process of confirming the truth or accuracy of something.
Descendant – A person who is related to someone and comes after them in a family line.
Abuse – Misuse or wrongful use of something, often to gain an unfair advantage.
Concrete connection – A strong, real, and meaningful link or relationship, not just symbolic or distant.