Explore your path to recognition under current law
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A clear guide to eligibility, evidence, and the Jure Sanguinis process
Italian citizenship by descent, commonly known as Jure Sanguinis, allows eligible people with Italian ancestry to have their Italian citizenship formally recognized. Since the 2025 reform, however, Italian ancestry alone is no longer sufficient for applicants who were born abroad and hold another citizenship. They must also satisfy one of the qualifying conditions established by current law.
Recognition generally does not require living in Italy or passing an Italian-language test. The applicant must prove both eligibility under the current rules and an uninterrupted citizenship chain through official civil-status, citizenship, and naturalization records.
The correct administrative route depends on the applicant's genuine place of residence, while judicial proceedings may be appropriate where a court determination is required. Depending on the case, the matter may therefore be handled by the competent Italian consulate, a municipality in Italy, the central MAECI office when applicable, or an Italian court. Once recognized, Italian citizenship does not expire and carries EU citizenship rights, including eligibility for an Italian passport and the freedom to live and work across the European Union. The position of minor children must be assessed separately under the current rules.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Under current law, applicants who were born abroad and hold another citizenship may qualify if at least one of the following conditions applies:
A parent or grandparent currently holds—or held at the time of death—only Italian citizenship.
A parent or adoptive parent lived continuously in Italy for at least two years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before your birth or adoption.
A complete administrative application was submitted to the competent consulate or Comune by 11:59 p.m. Rome time on March 27, 2025; a judicial claim was filed by that deadline; or the application is submitted on the date of an appointment communicated by the competent authority by that deadline.
Article 3-bis does not apply in the same way to applicants born in Italy or to those who do not hold another citizenship. Every applicant must still prove an uninterrupted citizenship chain.
Minor children are not automatically included in every citizenship-by-descent case. Where citizenship is not transmitted automatically under Article 3-bis, a foreign or stateless minor whose parent is an Italian citizen by birth may acquire citizenship following a declaration by the parents or legal guardian, subject to the applicable conditions.
The declaration may be submitted within three years of the child's birth or the later establishment of filiation, including adoption, allowing the child to continue residing abroad.
If more than three years have elapsed, the declaration generally takes effect only after the child has completed at least two years of continuous legal residence in Italy.
A separate transitional deadline of May 31, 2029 applies to certain children who were minors on May 24, 2025 and whose Italian parent falls within the protected pre-reform categories.
Complete document checklist for your application
Foreign public documents generally require an Italian translation and either an Apostille or consular legalization, where applicable. The exact requirements depend on the issuing country, the document, and the competent authority. We can manage the translation and legalization process for you.
Our team helps you identify, collect, translate, legalize, and prepare the documents required for your case. You do not have to navigate the process alone.
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
Research and verify your Italian lineage, identify the relevant Italian ancestor, and assess which current eligibility condition may apply.
How long does it take?
The statutory maximum below applies to overseas administrative proceedings filed from January 1, 2026. Document preparation, Comune applications, and judicial proceedings follow separate timelines.
We offer comprehensive support at every stage of obtaining Italian citizenship by descent.
Receive a personalized assessment of your eligibility, citizenship chain, filing route, principal risks, and next steps.
Our researchers can trace your Italian ancestry and locate historical records required to reconstruct and document your family line.
We help gather, organize, review, translate, and prepare your documents so that the application file meets the requirements of the competent authority.
We prepare the application package and coordinate the filing process with the competent authority. Where personal attendance or a declaration by the applicant is required, we provide complete instructions and support.
We monitor the proceeding, help manage requests for additional evidence, and keep you informed until the competent authority issues its decision.
After recognition, we assist with the relevant civil-status registrations, AIRE position where applicable, and preparation of the Italian passport application.
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