The Italian Senate began discussing Bill No. 31 on Monday (1432), which transforms Decree-Law No. 36, published on March 28, into law. The text proposes changes in the recognition of Italian citizenship by ius sanguinis (right of blood), restricting automatic access to nationality to descendants born outside the country.
The proposal is from the Prime Minister's government Giorgia Meloni and has the support of Ministers Antonio Tajani (Foreign Affairs) and Matteo Piantedosi (Interior). If approved by May 27, 2025, the measure becomes definitive. Otherwise, it loses its validity.
According to deputy Fabio Porta, of the Democratic Party, the choice of the Senate to start the process has a strategic motivation. “Maybe they think the situation in the Senate is more favorable to pass the decree,” he told Italianism.
Porta assesses that the processing by the Senate facilitates the process: “It is likely that if there are changes in the Senate, the chamber will be obliged to have the vote of confidence, that is, without being able to change. This is my impression”.
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The government justifies the change due to the growing pressure on consulates and courts, due to the increase in citizenship applications in South America. Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela are among the countries with the most applicants.
The decree determines that the Italian citizenship will no longer be recognized solely by ancestry. It will be necessary to prove concrete and lasting ties with the country. Automatic recognition for children of Italians born abroad will be revoked, with exceptions.
These include those who have already initiated administrative or judicial proceedings before March 27, 2025, and direct descendants of Italians born or legally resident in Italy. It will also be necessary to prove the continuity of the line of transmission of citizenship.
The text expresses concern about access to European citizenship by people with no real ties to Italy. It is considered the biggest change in legislation since Law No. 91/1992, currently in force.
Jurists, however, consider the project unconstitutional.
The design of the law can be downloaded here
