Updated July 2025. Join the class action lawsuit seeking recognition of Italian citizenship by iure sanguinis
Italian Citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis) is the legal right to claim Italian nationality if you have an ancestor who was born in Italy, provided that the line of citizenship was never interrupted by naturalization before the birth of the next descendant.
If you have Italian ancestors, you may be eligible to claim Italian citizenship by descent. Known as “jure sanguinis“, this process allows descendants of Italian citizens to reconnect with their heritage, access European Union benefits, and enjoy the privileges of dual citizenship. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent: Requirements, Process, Benefits and amendments and changes in Italian legislation
Her you are 5 steps for obtaing the italian ctitzenship by descent
Step 1: Verify Eligibility (Ancestry Check)
Step 2: Collect Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death)
Step 3: Apostille and Translations
Step 4: Book Appointment at Consulate / Court Case
Step 5: Application and Recognition
If you have Italian ancestors, you may be eligible to claim Italian citizenship by descent. How does Italian citizenship by descent work
There has been no generational limit for Italian citizenship, ever since the Italian state was founded in 1861. Italian citizenship by descent is a legal right that allows individuals to obtain Italian citizenship through their ancestry. Unlike citizenship by naturalization, “jure sanguinis” relies on proving an unbroken lineage to an Italian citizen. Italy’s laws prioritize maintaining connections with its diaspora, from the 1860, making this pathway available to millions of descendants worldwide.
Requirements for Italian Citizenship through descent. Eligibility criteria for dual citizenship
The Italian citizenship can i apply also if my grandfather became a US citizen. It depends on the date of naturalization vs. the descendant’s date of birth, but To qualify for Italian citizenship by descent you must meet the following criteria:
- Ancestral Connection: You must have an Italian ancestor who was a citizen of Italy and never renounced their citizenship before the next generation was born.
- Uninterrupted Lineage: The lineage can be traced through both paternal and maternal lines, but cases involving maternal lineage before 1948 require judicial proceedings.
- No Citizenship Renunciation: If your ancestor became a citizen of another country, they must not have renounced their Italian citizenship before the birth of the next generation.
- Knowledge of the Italian language is not a requirement for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent by blood. Knowledge of the Italian language is a requirement for obtaining citizenship by marriage or naturalization.
Italian Citizenship through ancestry by Maternal Line.1948 Rule for Maternal Descent
If your lineage is through a female ancestor and the next generation was born before 1948, you’ll need to file a judicial appeal to the Italian courts due to historical and italian cosituzional legal limitations.
Documents needed for claim italian citizenship by descent
The applicant has a parent or grandparent or great grandfather o great granmother they held Italian citizenship at the time of their death (art.3-bis paragraph 1 letter c Law 91/1992). Or, the applicant has a parent (biological or adoptive) who lived in Italy for at least two consecutive years after becoming an Italian citizen and before the applicant was born or adopted.
Those who wish to submit an application must submit the following documents:
- Your Italian parent’s or grandparent’s birth certificate (extract of the birth certificate) issued within the last six months, by the Italian comune where the birth was registered;
- Birth certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian), of every descendant in line, including the applicant;
- Marriage certificate of the Italian ancestor. If the marriage occurred in Italy, please submit the extract of the marriage certificate issued within the last six months, by the Italian municipality where the marriage was registered. If the marriage occurred abroad, please submit the original certificate (in long form), duly legalized and translated into Italian;
- Marriage certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad), of every descendant in line, including the applicant;
- Death certificates (in long form, duly legalized and translated into Italian if issued abroad), of every descendant in line (if applicable);
- Appropriate documentation issued by the foreign local authority which must certify that the Italian born ancestor who emigrated never naturalized or acquired any other citizenship abroad (in any Country where they lived). You must also include a copy of the ancestor’s permanent resident card;
- If the ancestor did naturalize abroad, the applicant must also submit a notarized copy of the ancestor’s naturalization certificate. The US naturalization certificate must show the person’s correct date of birth. Should the person’s date of birth not appear on the certificate, you must request a certified copy of their declaration of intention/petition for naturalization/oath of allegiance issued by NARA;
- Application universal fee €600 is applies per adult.
How to Apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent. Italian consulate waiting times for citizenship applications and the process the civil court
Claiming italian citizenship by descent process: the civil court and the rule 1948
The process for obtain italian citizenship by descendent can are very long take for the consulate (10 years), but can is very speed for take judizial route (2 years). You can file a judicial appeal with an Italian court if the consulate fails to respond to your jure sanguinis citizenship application within 24 mounths. Filing a citizenship petition with the court in Italy is also applicable for matrilineal recognition claims, i.e., for applications based on descent from a female ancestor who emigrated before 1948. Even in these cases, the timeframe for obtaining Italian citizenship does not exceed 2 years.
Consulate vs. Judicial Path: Why “Sue the Queue”?
Are impossible appointments and years-long waiting lists blocking your heritage? Many applicants face what can only be described as “biblical” wait times at Italian Consulates, where booking an appointment is often impossible or scheduled years in advance. However, Italian law sets a strict limit of 730 days (2 years) for the processing of citizenship applications. When a Consulate cannot provide an appointment within this reasonable timeframe, it constitutes a legal breach known as a “Denial of Justice.”
The Legal Alternative: Skip the Consulate, Go to Court You do not have to wait indefinitely. The Judicial Path allows you to bypass the Consulate entirely by filing a direct claim before the competent Italian Court (the Tribunal of your ancestor’s municipality).
- No Travel Required: Our lawyers represent you via Power of Attorney; you do not need to come to Italy for the hearings.
- Faster Timeline: Judicial proceedings are often significantly faster than the current Consular timeline.
- High Success Rate: This is a well-established legal procedure for those whose rights are being delayed by administrative inefficiency.
Check Eligibility for Judicial Path
Benefits of Italian Citizenship by Descent
Obtaining Italian citizenship offers numerous advantages:
- EU Freedom of Movement: Live, work, and study in any of the 27 EU countries without restrictions.
- Access to Italian Healthcare and Education: Enjoy Italy’s high-quality public healthcare and world-renowned education system.
- Cultural Reconnection: Reconnect with your Italian roots and preserve your family’s heritage.
- Economic Opportunities: Open doors to investment, real estate ownership, and career opportunities in Europe.
Obtaining Italian passport through ancestry How We Can Help. Proof of Italian ancestry for citizenship
Navigating the process of obtaining Italian citizenship can be complex, especially when dealing with legal requirements, translations, and documentation. Our team specializes in:
- Document Retrieval: Helping you locate and prepare vital records.
- Translation and Apostille Services: Ensuring all documents meet Italian legal standards.
- Judicial Representation: Managing court cases for complex applications, such as the 1948 rule.
- Reconstruction of genealogy and lineage
Contact Us Today Legal assistance for Italian citizenship
Let us guide you through every step of the process. Schedule a consultation to find out if you qualify for Italian citizenship by descent.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Italian Citizenship
What is the difference between Consular and Judicial paths?
The Consular path requires booking an appointment at your local consulate, which often takes years due to heavy backlogs. The Judicial path involves suing the queue in Italy due to “Denial of Justice” (when delays exceed 730 days), allowing for a faster resolution directly through Italian Courts without the need to travel.
Is there a limit to generations for Italian citizenship?
No, there is no generational limit for Jure Sanguinis, provided the line of citizenship remains uninterrupted (no ancestor renounced Italian citizenship before the next was born). However, for female ancestors giving birth before 1948, a specific judicial process known as the “1948 Case” is required.
Do I need to speak Italian to get citizenship by descent?
No, language proficiency is not required for citizenship by descent (Jure Sanguinis). It is only required if you are applying for citizenship by marriage (Level B1).
Can I skip the Consulate appointment?
Yes. If the Consulate cannot provide an appointment within a reasonable time (legal limit is 730 days), it is your legal right to bypass them and file directly with the Italian Courts through a lawyer.
