A bill currently under consideration in Italy aims to simplify the return to the country of young Italians born abroad.
The bill presented by the deputy Fabio Porta provides for the creation of a five-year visa that could become permanent or, later, be replaced by Italian citizenship, in accordance with the conditions established in current legislation.
The objective is to simplify the rules and allow descendants of Italians, even without Italian citizenship, can live, study and work in Italy.
According to Porta, the proposal received support from the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE) and diplomatic representations, especially the Brazilian embassy in Rome.
He highlighted that he is seeking support from parliamentarians from different political groups to ensure the approval of the project. “These days, I, as the first signatory, together with other fellow deputies who signed the bill, are contacting other parliamentarians from different political groups to obtain their signatures and support,” he said.
Criteria for obtaining a visa
According to the proposal, the visa will be intended for individuals who do not have Italian citizenship or European, but who have Italian ancestry or demonstrate a strong cultural link with Italy.
Knowledge of the Italian language is required, at least at level B1. For those without Italian ancestry, certifications issued by Institutes of Culture and Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad will be accepted.
Demographic and economic impact
Italy is facing one of the biggest demographic recessions in the European Union. In January 2024, the National Institute of Statistics (Istat) recorded a population of 58 million people, 7 thousand less compared to the previous year.
Representative Porta highlights the importance of the project to combat demographic decline and depopulation, especially in rural areas and small cities in the country.
To encourage adherence to the project, tax incentives are provided for families that welcome young immigrants. These incentives will be greater for residents in small municipalities and smaller for large cities.
