Italy’s Top Court Backs Law Curbing Citizenship by Descent, Impacting Millions Abroad

Italy’s Constitutional Court has signaled support for a new law that sharply limits citizenship by descent. The change moves away from long-standing ius sanguinis rules and is set to block many descendants abroad from claiming Italian citizenship. Only those with a parent or grandparent born in Italy will qualify, and that ancestor must have held only Italian citizenship at the relevant time. For over 160 years, Italians abroad could pass citizenship to their children if it was never renounced. Consulates became overwhelmed and courts clogged with cases, including suits to fix the historic bar on women transmitting citizenship before 1948. The new rules shut many of these routes and could split families where one sibling was recognized and another was not. Lawyers are divided. Some call it a heavy blow but see room to fight on at the Court of Cassation and possibly EU courts. Many applicants are being advised to pause cases or seek postponements while the detailed ruling arrives. The decision lands as Italy battles depopulation and ongoing emigration. Local programs that tried to lure back descendants, including in Sicily, may now stall under the tighter rules.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.