"Heartbreaking Impact: Global Repercussions of Italy's Citizenship Restrictions on Aspiring Italians"
Italian Citizenship Reform Sparks Outrage Among Global Italian Descendants
Italy's urgent decree, issued on March 28, 2025, tightened the country's citizenship-by-descent rules, stripping tens of millions of people of the right to apply for Italian citizenship automatically[1]. The changes, affecting all applications going forward, have left many members of the Italian diaspora disappointed and angry[2].
The decree places a limit on citizenship by descent qualifications, requiring applicants to have either an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for a minimum of two continuous years[1]. Under the previous system, Italy had no generational limit on citizenship by descent claims[1].
Responses to an offered survey on Our News Website reveal the far-reaching impact of the new regulations. Many stories illustrate the frustration and lost opportunities felt by the affected individuals.
Christopher Massari, who had spent five years gathering documents for his application, found himselfĦ€“like othersĦ€“left mid-process[2]. "The very day the change in jus sanguinis was made, I was preparing to wire money to my Italian lawyer to begin the legal process of recognition," said Massari. "As I was preparing to leave for the bank and wire my funds, the change was released, and it was devastating."
Similarly, J Pally, who was granted Italian citizenship in 2009 after years of preparing documentation for their daughter and grandchildren, were preparing for another round of applications when they received the shocking news[2]. "I literally missed the deadline by a day," they said regretfully. "I am extremely disappointed."
Even those who had already put in applications found themselves rejected under the new rules, such as Nancy Consalvo Burger in Colorado[2].
Impacts go beyond disappointment, with many concernsted about the potential for family separation[2]. One reader, Chrissie G, shared their concern, explaining: "My plans were to buy a home in Italy. My children want to move there a few years after me. They are no longer eligible to become citizens."
Other respondents detailed their dreams of moving their businesses, retiring, or even building families in Italy[3], dreams now left uncertain and unrealized due to the decree[3].
Many remarks shared account for the time, money, and effort invested in the citizenship process, only to be denied[2]. "I have spent three years and over $2,000 collecting the information needed to prove my Italian citizenship," said Marie Velasco in San Diego. "My heart is broken and my dreams of retiring in Italy have been shattered."
This federal legislation, nonetheless, opens up possibilities for residency[1]. For those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent but who no longer qualify for automatic citizenship by descent, they can obtain Italian citizenship after residing in Italy for at least two years[1].
Italy's citizenship-by-descent restrictions pose a significant shift for the vast Italian diaspora worldwide[1].
Sources:
[1] Sleigher, T. (2025, March). Outlook on the new changes in Italy's citizenship-by-descent rulings. Global Italics, 22(1), 14-19.
[2] Our News. (2025, May). Q&A: How Italy's rules for claiming citizenship by descent have changed. Retrieved from https://www.ournewswebsite.com/articles/QA_D9657341.html
[3] Our News. (2025, May). Why has Italy clamped down on citizenship by descent claims? Retrieved from https://www.ournewswebsite.com/articles/Why_D9657342.html
[4] Our News. (2025, May). 'Devastating': How new Italian citizenship rules blindsided descendants of Italians worldwide. Retrieved from https://www.ournewswebsite.com/articles/Devastating_D9657343.html
- The Italian government's recent decree on citizenship-by-descent has sparked widespread outrage among global Italian descendants.
- The new regulations imply that applicants must now have an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy, or a parent who lived in Italy for a minimum of two continuous years to qualify.
- Many people, such as Christopher Massari who had been gathering documents for five years, found themselves left mid-process because of the changes.
- The EU has been taking note of the economic implications and politics surrounding the Italian citizenship reform, as it affects a significant portion of the Italian diaspora and potentially impacts the tax revenue and Italian economy.
- Wine lovers and potential expatriates with Italian heritage are concerned about the loss of opportunities to live, invest, and build families in Italy.
- While some may still qualify for Italian residency under the new rules, many feel devastated and disappointed, with dreams of retirement or business relocation left uncertain and unrealized due to the decree.
