Italy Is Changing Its Citizenship Rules, and Americans Are Fighting Back
Summary
Italy changed its citizenship rules in 2025, limiting who can claim Italian citizenship by descent to only those with Italian parents or grandparents. This change affects many Americans who were hoping to gain citizenship through more distant ancestors, leading some families to challenge the new law in Italy’s highest court.Key Facts
- Italy allowed citizenship claims based on having any Italian ancestor alive after 1861 until recently.
- The new rule, called the Tajani decree, restricts citizenship claims to only those with Italian parents or grandparents.
- The change stopped many Americans with more distant Italian ancestors from qualifying.
- Some affected families are fighting the law in Italy’s Supreme Court, arguing it should not apply to people born before the rule changed.
- The court is also considering cases related to a "minor issue" that cuts off citizenship claims if an Italian parent naturalized abroad before their child was an adult.
- The affected families say that the new rules take away a right that has existed for over 160 years.
- The outcome of the court cases could affect thousands of people worldwide seeking Italian citizenship.
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