The journey to obtain Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) has always required determination and preparation. Over the last two years, however, a series of legislative, administrative, and judicial developments have made the process more complex, time-consuming, and more expensive for applicants.
Key Developments in the Citizenship by Descent Process
Here’s a timeline of the most significant changes of the past few years, in particular in these last two, 2023 and 2024 and how My Lawyer in Italy (MLI) has adapted to continue delivering success for its clients.
| Date | Event Summary | Event Description |
|---|---|---|
| Early 2021 | Tax Certification Introduced | A new requirement to verify the accuracy of the submitted documents was implemented. |
| July 2022 | Jurisdiction Shift | Applications were moved from Rome to local courts, redistributing caseloads but introducing inconsistent processing times. |
| Early 2023 | Municipal Delays | Vital record registrations slowed the execution of approved citizenship rulings, with processing times stretching to over two years in some cases. |
| June 2023 | New Restrictions Proposed | Senator Menia introduced a bill to impose conditions like Italian language proficiency. Pending discussion. |
| July 2023 | “Minor Cases” Ruling | First Corte di Cassazione (Italy’s highest court for legal review) rejection of specific applications deemed “minor,” narrowing the range of valid claims. |
| Early 2024 | New Tax and Registration Fees Requirements | Codice Fiscale and registration taxes mandated. Petitioners faced new financial and administrative requirements, including mandatory tax identification number (Codice Fiscale) and payment of registration fees, further complicating the process. |
| February 2024 | Second “Minor Cases” Ruling | Second Corte di Cassazione ruling rejecting “minor cases,” further tightening judicial scrutiny of applications. |
| Summer 2024 | Additional Documentation Demands | Municipalities began requiring affidavits, full certified copies of divorce and certification of finality from courthouses required for divorce registrations. |
| August 2024 | Further Limits to Eligibility Proposed | Deputy Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia proposed limiting eligibility to applicants tracing descent only as far back as great-grandparents. This proposal is still pending approval. |
| October 2024 | Court Fee Increase Proposed | The government introduced a proposal to raise court fees to €600 per petitioner. Proposal pending. |
How MLI Is Staying Ahead of the Curve
Throughout this period of change, MLI has responded with agility, investing in resources and strategies to ensure clients remain supported every step of the way:
- Expanded Court Representation: With hearings now spread across local courts, MLI ensures seamless representation for all clients by attending hearings in person when the judge orders an in-person meeting, no matter where they are set. Read more about Dual Citizenship proceedings: brief, remote or in-person hearings.
- Enhanced Municipality Services: What was once a smaller part of our services—document submission for municipal registrations—has become a core focus. A dedicated team now handles this crucial step, working diligently to overcome backlogs and bureaucratic hurdles.
- Advocacy and Policy Engagement: MLI is actively involved in a citizenship attorneys association, advocating for balanced and fair practices through seminars, media outreach, and direct dialogue with lawmakers. This ensures that client interests are represented at the highest levels.
- Streamlining Registration Practices: By challenging unnecessary complexities in local registrar requirements and sharing best practices across municipalities, MLI improves efficiency for clients while contributing to a more standardized system.
Our Commitment to Your Success
Despite an ever-changing landscape, MLI remains steadfast in its commitment to providing reliable, expert guidance. By investing in our people, advocating for systemic improvements, and staying informed about policy shifts, we empower our clients to navigate this process with confidence.
Your pathway to Italian citizenship may have grown more complex, but MLI’s personalized attention, speed of action and adaptation to changes remains the key to our success.