In March 2025, the Italian government enacted significant changes to its citizenship laws, impacting both EU residents and descendants of Italian nationals abroad. These reforms, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, aim to tighten eligibility criteria and address concerns over the misuse of citizenship rights.
A referendum scheduled for June 8–9, 2025, could alter the current trajectory of Italy’s citizenship laws. If passed, the reform would reduce the residency requirement for non-EU nationals from 10 years to 5 years, potentially making approximately 2.5 million residents eligible for citizenship.
However, the referendum faces challenges:
The tightened citizenship laws have sparked discontent among Italian descendants worldwide, particularly in the Americas, where many individuals trace their heritage to great-grandparents. The new restrictions exclude these individuals from claiming citizenship, leading to feelings of alienation and betrayal.
For EU residents, the reforms signify a more stringent path to Italian citizenship, emphasizing language proficiency and extended residency. While the upcoming referendum offers a potential easing of these requirements, its success remains uncertain due to political opposition and anticipated low voter turnout.
Italy’s 2025 citizenship reforms reflect a broader trend of tightening immigration and naturalization policies. While aimed at preserving national identity and preventing misuse of citizenship rights, these changes have significant implications for EU residents and the global Italian diaspora. The upcoming referendum presents an opportunity for policy reversal, but its outcome is uncertain.
For those affected, staying informed and engaged with the evolving legal landscape is crucial. Consulting with legal experts and participating in civic processes can help navigate these changes and advocate for more inclusive policies.
For non-EU citizens residing in Italy, having your family with you is a tangible goal. Italian law provides a framework for family reunification, allowing you to bring close relatives to live with you under specific conditions. This guide outlines the key requirements, procedures, and rights to help you navigate the process. Who Can Apply for […]
Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Italy? This guide explains the conditions you must meet, the procedures to follow, and the rights you can enjoy during your stay. Conditions for Self-Employment To legally engage in independent work in Italy, non-EU citizens must satisfy several conditions and obtain the […]
September is shaping up to be a turbulent month for travelers in Italy, with more than 14 national strikes scheduled. Widespread protests are expected to cause significant disruption across trains, flights, and local public transport networks. Rail and Air Travel Disruption Commuters and long-distance travelers on trains should be aware of a major nationwide strike […]
As a resident in Italy, you may already be familiar with the dynamics of the local housing market and perhaps have contemplated purchasing property. However, there exists a lesser-known yet potentially advantageous avenue worth exploring: Aste Immobiliari, or judicial property auctions. What Are Judicial Auctions? Judicial auctions in Italy are public sales of assets, including […]
If you live in Italy and need to send packages to the United States, there are new rules you should know about. Starting August 29, 2025, all goods shipped from Italy to the U.S. will be subject to customs duties before arriving. Until now, parcels valued under $800 could be sent duty-free, but this exemption […]
The Italian passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, ranking third in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. This prestigious position is shared with passports from Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark, allowing holders to travel to 189 out of 227 destinations without a pre-approved visa. The index, widely regarded as a […]
Rome is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent approval of a constitutional bill aimed at elevating its status and granting it greater autonomy. This historic reform, championed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, seeks to address the unique challenges of governing Italy’s capital. The proposed changes are designed to improve Rome’s ability to manage its own […]
Rome, July 31, 2025 – Italy’s Constitutional Court has confirmed that the current rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) remain valid, rejecting attempts to limit automatic citizenship for descendants of Italians born abroad. Under the existing law (Law 91/1992), anyone with an Italian mother or father is automatically an Italian citizen at […]