Italy’s government has recently implemented stricter citizenship laws in response to growing concerns about individuals exploiting these provisions to gain a passport, often with minimal genuine ties to the nation. Many people had been tracing their family histories to claim Italian citizenship primarily for the purpose of easing international travel.
Under the new regulations, the scope of eligibility for citizenship has been significantly narrowed. Now, only those individuals with Italian parents or grandparents can apply for citizenship, reducing the number of people of Italian descent who can obtain this status.
Previously, Italy’s citizenship laws allowed anyone able to establish proof of having an Italian ancestor who was alive after March 17, 1861, the year the Kingdom of Italy was founded, to seek citizenship. This inclusive approach had made it relatively straightforward for many individuals with distant Italian roots to claim citizenship.
However, Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani has argued that this system had become outdated and was being misused. He emphasized that the revised legislation aims to strengthen the integrity of the citizenship process by targeting so-called “abusers.” These individuals often sought Italian citizenship solely to circumvent travel restrictions imposed by other countries.
The government believes that by tightening these laws, they can ensure that citizenship is reserved for those who have a genuine connection to Italy, thereby preserving the nation’s cultural heritage and national identity.
