- within Immigration, Real Estate and Construction, Litigation and Mediation & Arbitration topic(s)
- in United States
What Is the New Italian Citizenship Law 2025?
Italy has introduced one of the most important citizenship reforms in decades. With the approval of Law No. 74/2025, often referred to as the Tajani Law, the rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) have changed significantly.
For descendants of Italians living in the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, these reforms may directly affect eligibility, pending applications, and future claims.
If you are wondering whether you can still apply for Italian citizenship through ancestry, this guide explains the new law and what it means for you.
What is the new rule for Italian citizenship 2025?
Law No. 74/2025 introduced stricter rules for those claiming Italian citizenship by descent.
For many years, descendants of Italians could apply through long family lines, often tracing citizenship through great-grandparents or even earlier generations.
The new law changes this approach by introducing:
- Restrictions on distant ancestry claims
- Stronger residency requirements
- New rules for dual citizenship cases
- Greater scrutiny of family lines
- Limits on automatic recognition abroad
Does the New Law End Unlimited Generational Claims?
In many cases, yes.
The era of broad and unlimited generational recognition has been significantly reduced.
Previously, applicants could often claim Italian citizenship through great-grandparents or even earlier ancestors if the citizenship line was never interrupted.
Under the new law, recognition is now far more limited, especially for applications submitted after the 2025 reform.
This means many distant descendants may no longer qualify automatically.
Can I Still Apply Through Great-Grandparents?
Possibly—but it has become much harder.
If your claim is based on a great-grandparent, you may need to meet additional legal requirements, such as:
- Proving uninterrupted transmission of citizenship
- Showing no ancestor renounced citizenship improperly
- Meeting new residency or legal connection criteria
- Demonstrating compliance with updated legislation
This is one of the most searched questions online:
Stronger Residency Requirements Under Law 74/2025
One major reform is the concept of a genuine connection with Italy.
In some cases, applicants or direct family members may need to demonstrate a real link with Italy through residence, family ties, or other qualifying factors.
This represents a major shift from the previous system, where citizenship was often based almost entirely on bloodline documentation.
Why the April 14 Supreme Court Hearing Matters
Alongside Law No. 74/2025, another major event has drawn international attention: the April 14 hearing before the United Sections of the Italian Supreme Court (Sezioni Unite).
The Court examined the so-called minor issue, involving ancestors who naturalized abroad while their children were still minors.
Read our full guide on the April 14 Cassation hearing on Italian citizenship
Arnone & Sicomo: Expert Italian Citizenship Lawyers
If you are looking for an Italian citizenship lawyer to navigate Law No. 74/2025, the Tajani Law, and recent Italian Supreme Court citizenship rulings, Arnone & Sicomo Law Firm offers trusted and strategic legal representation.
We assist clients worldwide with:
- Italian citizenship by descent and complex family lineage cases
- Minor issue claims, including the impact of an ancestor’s naturalization on minor children after the April 14 Cassation hearing
- Great-grandparent citizenship cases under the new restrictions of Law 74/2025
- 1948 maternal line cases before Italian courts
- Appeals after citizenship denial by consulates or municipalities
We do more than collect documents. We provide a full legal assessment of your family history to protect your claim against changing laws and court interpretations.
Protect Your Right to Italian Citizenship
If recent legal changes may affect your case, book a confidential legal review before filing your claim.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
[View Source]