Obtaining citizenship by descent in Italy is possible for those who are related to Italian nationals. The Italian citizenship by descent is based on the jure sanguinis principle (the right of blood). Our team of Italian immigration lawyers can offer in-depth legal information on the steps eligible applicants should follow.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| When can a person apply for citizenship by descent? | Citizenship by descent in Italy can be acquired only by those who have an Italian ancestor, in accordance with the rules of the Law 74/2025. |
Form available for citizenship by descent | Citizenship by Descent Application Form (Istanza di Riconoscimento Cittadinanza Italiana) |
Application fee | EUR 600 |
| Categories of citizenship by descent in Italy | Citizenship by descent in Italy can be acquired by the following: – minors with an age below 18 years, who have at least 1 parent who has Italian citizenship (they are entitled to automatically receiving the Italian nationality); – adults can apply if they have or have had a parent or a grandparent who was an Italian citizen at the moment when the applicant was born; |
| Institution in charge with the application process | Ministry of the Interior |
| Documents required for the application | The documentation may vary on a case-to-case basis, but in general, applicants must present: their birth certificate, proof of residency, a clean criminal record, an identity document, proof of paying the processing fees and any other document required by local authorities, that can prove the connection to an Italian national. |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Law regulating citizenship by descent in Italy | Law No. 74/2025 |
| How can an application be submitted? | Online or in person |
| Certification/authentication required (yes/no) | Yes |
| Documents to be issued after citizenship is granted | Certificate of Italian citizenship, Italian passport |
| Costs of Italian identity documents | Passport (administrative fee of EUR 73,5 and passport fee EUR 42,5), identity card (EUR 16,79 for the Electronic Identity Card) |
| Validity of Italian identity documents | Passport (3, 5 or 10 years), identity card (3,5 or 10 years – the validity is established based on the age of the applicant, for both passports and identity cards) |
| Passport accelerated issuance procedure (yes/no) | Yes |
| Law governing the issuance of Italian identity documents | Law 1185/67, Regulation (EC) No. 2252 of 2004 – passports, Presidential Decree 445/2000 – identity cards |
Table of Contents
What are the main ways to acquire citizenship by descent in Italy in 2026?
There is a limit of only 2 generations (children, grandchildren) allowed to apply for Italian citizenship by descent.
How can minors acquire Italian nationality by descent in 2026?
The new legislation (Law no. 74/2025) establishes thatminors can obtain citizenship “by benefit of law” or “from birth”.
When can minors acquire Italian citizenship based on the jure sanguinis principles?
Minors who are born abroad are entitled toItalian citizenshipin the following cases:
- he/ she has one parent who holds Italian citizenship (and does not havedual citizenship);
- the child has at least one Italian parentwho is also the national of another country, but the person has lived in Italy for at least 2 consecutive years after obtaining Italian citizenship and prior to the birth of the child;
- at the moment when the child was born, he/ she had anItalian grandparentwho only held Italian citizenship and a parent who was anItalian citizen.
Find out more about the Italian citizenship by descent from our video:
How can adults apply for Italian nationality by descent?
Under the new law (Law 74/2025), only those who have (or had) an Italian parent or grandparent can apply for citizenship by descent. Concerning this, it is important to know the following:
- applicants can be eligible for citizenship by descent in Italy only if the parent/grandparent had only Italian citizenshipand never became the citizen of another country;
- it is also possible to obtain citizenship as thechild/grandchild of an Italian nationalwho acquired Italian citizenship and lived in Italy for at least 2 years before the birth of the person who is interested in acquiring citizenship by descent;
- the same rights are granted to individuals who are adopted children of Italian nationals.
Is it possible to acquire Italian citizenship by birth as a foreigners’ child?
Children born in Italyfrom foreign parents can’t obtain Italian citizenship by birth simply because they were born on the Italian territory. This rule does not refer just to foreigners who are temporarily in Italyand the birth happened to occur on the Italian territory. It also includes foreigners who are living in Italy under a long-term/permanent residence permit, but who do not have Italian descent/citizenship.
Where can I initiate a citizenship application if I live overseas?
The applications for citizenship by descent for those who are not currently in Italy are handled through theItalian embassies and consulates abroad.
Below, you can watch a short presentation on the Italian citizenship by descent:
What documentation is required for citizenship by descent applications?
Our immigration lawyers in Italy can gather and prepare the list of required documents, while the certification of papers is always done by a public notary, after which our attorneys can submit the following documents on your behalf:
- a completed application form;
- the applicant’s valid passport;
- a photocopy of the passport page containing the applicant’s photo and signature;
- documents attesting the person’s residential address;
- a declaration of residence of both the applicant and the ancestors;
- documentation attesting the last ancestor’s born in Italycitizenship situation – for this purpose, it is necessary to present birth/ marriage/ death certificates, etc.
What should I do if I am not in possession of certain family documents necessary for the application?
If you are not in the possession of the certain family documents (such as birth certificates) you need to contact other relatives that may have the respective papers. If they also do not have them, it is necessary to address the Civil Registry Office operating in the region where yourItalian family memberslived.
What happens if my application does not include all the necessary paperwork?
In the case in which the application for citizenship by descent does not include all the required documentation, it will be rejected by the authorities. In this case, the individual must start a new application process.
Is there a fee for citizenship by descent applications in 2026?
Yes, theItalian authorities charge fees for the processing of the applications received for citizenship by descent. However, certain applicants can be exempt from paying the processing fee (our immigration lawyers in Italycan inform you on the exempted categories).
How long does it take to obtain citizenship by descent in Italy?
Persons interested in acquiring Italian descent citizenship must know that the maximum time limit imposed by the law is 24 months. The procedure can increase to maximum 36 months, in cases where the documentation is obtained through more complicated means.
When can I obtain an Italian passport?
Individuals who have obtained Italian citizenship by descent in 2026 have the right to apply for a passport – this document is granted solely toItalian citizens (regardless of the manner in which they have acquired citizenship) based on the request of the individuals.
What is the law on citizenship by descent in Italy?
The legislation regulating the manner in which an individual can obtain citizenship by descent in Italy is established under the Law 91/1992 and Law no. 74/2025 – the latter has drastically restricted eligibility rights.
We invite you to contact our immigration lawyers in Italy for more details on the application process.