Become an Italian citizen by descent
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Complete guide to understanding Jure Sanguinis process
Italian citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis) is one of the most accessible paths to Italian citizenship for those with Italian heritage. As of March 28, 2025, Italian law allows you to claim citizenship only if you have an Italian ancestor within the second degree of kinship.
This right is passed down through bloodline and does not require living in Italy. The process involves proving your ancestral connection through official documents and demonstrating that your Italian ancestor never renounced citizenship before passing it to the next generation.
The application can be submitted at your local Italian consulate or directly at the municipality (Comune) in Italy. Once recognized, citizenship is permanent and extends to minor children, giving your entire family EU rights, including the Italian passport and freedom to live and work across Europe.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
As of March 28, 2025, Italian law allows you to claim citizenship only if you have an Italian ancestor within the second degree of kinship, meaning:
You have a parent (mother or father) who was born in Italy and maintained Italian citizenship
You have a grandparent (maternal or paternal) who was born in Italy and maintained Italian citizenship
You were adopted by an Italian citizen who lived in Italy for at least 2 years before your birth or adoption
A minor child can obtain Italian citizenship if the parent who gained citizenship by descent meets at least one of the following conditions:
Was born in Italy
Lived in Italy continuously for at least 2 years before the child's birth
Moves to Italy with the child, establishes residency, and applies for citizenship as a cohabiting child
Complete document checklist for your application
All foreign documents must be officially translated into Italian and legalized with apostille or consular authentication. We handle this entire process for you.
Our team helps you collect, translate, and prepare every single document. You don't have to navigate the bureaucracy alone.
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
Research and verify your Italian lineage, identifying the Italian ancestor and documenting the family tree.
How long does it take?
We offer comprehensive support at every stage of obtaining Italian citizenship by descent.
Get personalized advice from our team of immigration specialists who understand your unique situation and guide you through every step.
Our expert researchers help trace your Italian ancestry and locate the necessary historical records to establish your lineage.
Help gathering, organizing, and reviewing your paperwork to ensure everything is complete and properly formatted for submission.
We complete your application and submit it directly to the authorities, ensuring accuracy and thoroughness at every step.
We track your application progress and keep you informed of any updates or additional requirements throughout the process.
Complete assistance with passport application procedures once your citizenship is confirmed, getting you ready for your new life as an Italian citizen.
We help you unlock the citizenship that was always yours by right. With Future Italian, you're never alone
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
Relocate to Italy with a clear, expert-led plan from day one.
Practical guidance on visas, residency, and Italian bureaucracy, written by our team.
