The Italian Parliament approved a bill that profoundly changes the way consular services operate for citizens and companies abroad. The new legislation, which will gradually come into effect until 2028, centralizes processes, redefines the roles of consulates, and modernizes the management of citizenship and the AIRE.
Italian citizenship: end of the process at consulates
Recognition of Italian citizenship jure sanguinis (by descent) will be removed from consulates. From 2028 onwards, applications must be sent by mail to a new MAECI Central Service (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), created especially to handle these requests.
During the transition period (2026 and 2027), consulates will only be able to receive the same number of requests they were able to complete in the previous year, with a minimum of 100 per headquarters.
Furthermore:
The Supreme Court reaffirmed: citizenship is born with the person.
- New legal front opened
- Processes can still be filed.
- Individual assessment before any decision.
- The deadline for citizenship analysis is from 24 to 36 months.
- Only original paper documents will be accepted.
- Communications will be made by email, even without digital certification.
- Third-party companies may be hired to digitize and manage documentation, with costs paid by the applicant.
Anagrafe (AIRE): more integration and sanctions
The Italians Abroad Registry (AIRE) system will be integrated with the Italian national system (ANPR). The new regulation modernizes and addresses gaps, such as communication between municipalities and consulates regarding changes of residence and return to Italy.
The main changes include:
- Fines between 200 and 1.000 euros for those who do not register with AIRE.
- The communication of return to Italy will be made directly from the municipality to the consulate and the Ministry of the Interior.
- The legislation will be clearer about who may or may not register with AIRE (such as military personnel, diplomats, teachers sent abroad, etc.).
Legalization of foreign documents
The practice of will be officially restored “dual legalization”: Foreign documents must be validated first by local authorities and then by Italian consulates. This change solves practical problems faced by users and simplifies signature verification.
Passports and identity cards
There will be modernization in the rules for issuing passports and identity cards:
- A electronic identity card may be requested by residents abroad directly in Italian municipalities, following technical rules of MAECI and the Ministry of the Interior.
- The identity card will only be valid for international travel if there are no legal restrictions (in which case it will be marked “Documento não vale ai fini dell'espatrio”).
Structure and financing
To ensure the functioning of the new centralized structure:
There will be annual investment of over 8 million euros until 2028 to maintain the new system.
MAECI will have reinforcement of 87 public servants, including managers, assistants and employees.
The amount collected from citizenship applications will be redistributed: 50% will go to MAECI, with part allocated to hiring local staff at consulates.
Legislative pathway and community reactions
The project was approved this Tuesday (14) in the Chamber with 144 votes in favor, 87 against and 5 abstentions, achieving an expressive majority, even without the participation of 68 deputies on a mission.
The government's justification is that the measure aims to modernize and standardize procedures, overcoming disparities in the processing of cases between different consulates. The centralization of functions is presented as part of an effort to increase administrative efficiency.
The text now goes to the Senate, where it can be adjusted through amendments. If approved, it will come into effect in 2025, with progressive implementation through 2028.
Download here the approved text of the “Provisions for the review of services for citizens and companies abroad”, in full: AC 2369-A
The Constitutional Court's decision changed the landscape. The new citizenship law will now be reviewed by the European Union's courts of justice.
