Citizenship, final yes of the Chamber to the decree: it is law. The 'squeeze' begins

In general, one can only transmit citizenship if one has Italian citizenship exclusively (a person who takes the citizenship of the place where he or she resides, therefore, can no longer transmit it to his or her descendants)

The typification of exceptions to the preclusion of automatism has the objective, as highlighted by the illustrative report accompanying the bill for the conversion of the decree-law, to give a definite legal content to a principle, that of the effective link - or bond - with Italy (and objective content, which can be deduced from concrete acts and specific certificates). In other words, the intention of the regulatory intervention is to connect the automatic transmission of citizenship to the existence of an effective link with Italy, both in the case of ascendant citizens and the descendant to whom citizenship is transmitted.

In a note, the Government explained that while maintaining the basic principle of the automatic transmission of citizenship iure sanguinis, based on descent from Italian citizens, this measure strengthens the need for an effective link with Italy on the part of children born abroad of Italian citizens. This is also in order to align with the legal systems of other European countries and to guarantee free movement within the European Union only for those who maintain an effective link with their country of origin.

A foreign or stateless minor, descended from a father or mother who is an Italian citizen by birth, becomes an Italian citizen if the parents themselves, or the guardian, declare their wish to acquire this status. Following this declaration, the minor must reside legally and continuously for at least two years in Italy or, alternatively, this declaration of intent must be submitted within a year of the minor's birth or the subsequent date on which filiation with an Italian citizen is established, including by adoption.Renunciation of Italian nationality A foreign or stateless minor who has become an Italian citizen by virtue of the previous rule and who holds the nationality of another State may renounce Italian nationality once he has reached the age of majority.

A maximum of 24 months (non-extendable) is allowed for the settlement of proceedings for the acquisition of nationality by the spouse of an Italian citizen or the granting of nationality by decree of the President of the Republic.

The measure provides for a requirement of two years' continuous residence in Italy, for the acquisition of nationality by minor children of a parent who acquires or reacquires Italian nationality, if they are cohabiting.Disputes concerning the ascertainment of nationality. In disputes concerning the ascertainment of citizenship, oaths and testimonial evidence are not permitted. Moreover, in the same disputes, the burden of proving the non-existence of the causes of non-acquisition or loss of nationality provided for by the law falls on the person requesting the ascertainment of nationality.

Entry and residency for subordinate work is permitted, outside of the maximum quotas of foreigners to be admitted to the territory of the State for work, for foreigners residing abroad, descendants of Italian citizens and in possession of the citizenship of a State of destination of significant Italian emigration flows. The determination of the States of destination is referred to a decree of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The period of legal residence in Italy required for the granting of nationality to a foreigner whose parent or second-degree direct ascendant is or was a citizen by birth is reduced to two years (from three years).

Those who were born in Italy or have been resident there for at least two continuous years, and have lost their citizenship in application of certain provisions of Law 555 of 1912, will reacquire it if they make a declaration to this effect, between 1 July 2025 and 31 December 2027. At the same time, the fee for the re-acquisition of nationality (€250, as in the current regulations) is included in the fees to be collected by consular offices.