NewsHail
21 May 2025
Italy has passed a new law that makes it harder for people with Italian roots to get a passport.
Before, anyone with an Italian ancestor from after 17 March 1861 could become a citizen. This was under a rule called jus sanguinis, which means "right of blood."
Now, the rule is stricter. To apply, you must have a parent or grandparent who was born as an Italian citizen.
The government says the new law will make sure there is a real link between Italy and the people asking for citizenship. It also wants to stop people from using the passport for business or other unfair reasons. The change should also help officials work faster by reducing the number of requests.
From 2014 to 2024, the number of Italians living abroad grew by 40%. It went from about 4.6 million to 6.4 million.
As of March, there were over 60,000 open cases about citizenship. This is when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government brought in the new law.
Italy’s foreign ministry said this change will help consulates give better service to people with a real connection to Italy.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that people with Italian roots can still become citizens, but the rules will be clear and firm. He said the country must stop people from misusing or "selling" Italian passports.
"Citizenship must be a serious thing," he said.
