The Italian Chamber of Deputies approved on Tuesday (30) the final version of the Budget Law for 2026. The text applies the exemption of the consular fee of 250 euros for the registration of children of Italians born abroad.
The proposal, already approved by the Senate, will be enacted without changes. However, the wording of amendment 104.0.14 has generated criticism for not clarifying whether the benefit also extends to those born before the new law. This decision will be made by the Ministry of the Interior, headed by Antonio Tajani.
Confusing text generates uncertainty.
O Movimento Associativo Italiani all'Estero (MAY) He took credit for the amendment, which was touted as a step forward for the Italian community outside of Italy. However, the approved text has loopholes and does not make it clear whether the exemption applies to all minors.
In practice, the fee will be charged for registrations made up to May 2026 for children born... before May 24, 2025 It will depend on the regulations of the Ministry of the Interior.
The expectation is that the ministry will guide the consulates through an official circular, which should be published in... first fortnight of january.
The same body issued a decree in March 2025 imposing restrictions on citizenship by descent. Since the decree was issued, Tajani has been called the nemesis of Italian citizenship abroad by leaders and associations that criticize the restrictions imposed on descendants.
Senator Francesco Giacobbe, from the Democratic Party, presented an amendment to extend the new 36-month period and the free service to those born before the new law. The proposal was rejected by the governing majority, which maintained the original text drafted under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As approved
• Children born before May 24, 2025 must be registered by 31 May 2026.
• Children born starting May 24, 2025 will have three-year term e Full exemption from consular fees..
In both cases, citizenship is granted by legal provision, and not based on right of blood. (ius sanguinis).
A new debate is expected to take place in 2026.
Given the frustration of Italian-descendant families, MAIE intends to revisit the issue in February 2026 through the Milleproroghe decree. This legislative instrument, approved annually, allows for the postponement of deadlines and the modification of existing legal provisions.
The proposal will include those born before the new law among the beneficiaries of a longer registration period.
The court will judge the validity of the Tajani Law.
It is scheduled for March 11th, 2026 The Italian Constitutional Court is analyzing the validity of the so-called Tajani Law. If the law is deemed unconstitutional, the previous rules, which allowed for the recognition of Italian citizenship by descent without generational limits, will be reinstated.
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